A Wonderful 

Surprise

On Saturday, February 15th My Bride Surprised Me with a Wonderful 85th Birthday Party held in the Fellowship Hall of the Church We attend.  I had no clue what was going on and Our Grand Daughter helped her with the Decorations including a Great Balloon Arch in the proper colors - Navy Blue and Gold.

The following pictures display the Wonderful Event:

Gifts

I Appreciate these Gifts, 

however the greatest gifts

were the Friends and

Family who were able to 

attend this Gala Event!!!!

 A Tragic Event

12 January 1952

Uncle Alfred Thiese

My Dad and His Oldest Brother were hauling Hay to His Farm on this day.  Uncle Alfred slipped and fell and suffered a bad injury.  After a quick trip to Rochester, Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic and a stay at St. Mary's Hospital it was learned that he had severed his Spinal Cord.  He would never walk again.  

During His stay in the Hospital everyone was encouraged to write Him a letter.  On 29 January 1952 I wrote this letter:

After His release from the Hospital He returned Home and a few years later started writing a Book about his Accident:

I have a copy of the Book entitled "Hope for the Stricken" and I had to sign a release so he could publish My letter shown above.

After a long period of being Bedridden He passed away.  Here are two views of Uncle Alfred prior to His Funeral Service:

The Newspaper account of His Life:

Uncle Alfred was the Oldest of My Dad's Sibling Brothers.  I remember this event, especially in January of each passing Year.

 Little Alan

Pictures from the

"Baby Book"

Alan and Sister Thelma

prepared to Walk to School!!

3 May 1939

Dad and Alan

Dad, The Farmer

Mom and Alan

The Caption - Four Generations!

Top Left - My Mom, Gertrude

Top Right - Grandma, Milda

Bottom Left - Great Grandma, Lizzette

Bottom Right - Alan

                                                             Dad and Son Alan

 Memories From

My Youth

Today, January 21, 2025 I reflect on some Memories from My Youth!

I believe this was when I was a

Two Year Old Toddler.  I was told 

that I did not like to walk on the 

Ground.  

This was the one room Country

School I attended from Grade

One through Grade Six.  It was

on the Corner of My Parents

Farm

Fourth Scholar from the Right.  My Classmate, Louis 

is standing Third from the Right.  My Brother

David is the First Scholar on the Right.

David was two years Younger than I.

I, Alan in the Front Row, Fourth from the Right.

My Classmate, Louis is fifth from the Right.

  My Brother David is on the left 

end of the Front Row.

I, Alan next to the Teacher.  My Brother David is 

Fourth from the Left!!!

As a Senior in High 
School I Sang the

First Solo in the Messiah

"Comfort Ye My People!"

I was First Tenor!

December 22, 1957

Also, during My Teenage Years I was

involved in 4-H.  This was

one of My Projects!

I joined Our U. S. Navy in 1961.

My Division Officer sent this

Christmas Card/Letter to

My Parents in 1963!

I did not know about this 

Card until My Mom wrote Me

About it.