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.

 

 4-H Club Memories

1954 or 1955

I was a 4-H Club Member from age 12 to 18.  I joined the Jefferson Go-Hawks in 1952.  The name was special because we lived in Jefferson Township in Clayton County, Iowa.  Clayton County has as the Eastern Border the Mississippi River.

Every Year Our Club decorated the Barn where our Projects where stalled during the Annual "Clayton County Fair" which was held in August.  We usually won the best decorated contest for our Club.

By Looking close at the large square sign you can see the name of our Club "Jefferson Go-Hawks.  The crepe paper streamers were colored "Green and White" of course because that is the 4-H Colors.  

I do not recall if we attended the Iowa State Fair the same year as the pictures above from the Clayton County Fair, however I do recall that Our Leader, My Uncle and his Family and My Siblings, David and Thelma all went!  One other Club Member, Bob Walke participated.  

This is Cousin Milton.  The Boys all slept in this tent.  The Girls slept in the Stake Truck which was used to transport our 4-H Cattle to the State Fair.  This was in the Camp Ground at the Iowa State Fair.  This same Camp Ground is still used today, 2025 for the Fair.

On a Non-Show Day our Leader too us all the State Capital of Iowa.  If I recall correctly, Bob's Mom is on the far left.  My Aunt Lillian, the Leader's Wife is next.  My Brother David and Cousin Norbert complete the Front Row!  

My Sister Thelma and Bob Walke are in the Second Row.  Our Leader and Myself, Alan and Cousin Helene peaking between Me and Bob.  

This is a picture of the Six 4-H Club Members by the Cannon which was also on the State Capital Steps.  The seventh person is a Sibling not old enough to be a Club Member, but he was with his Family.

I also note with interest the garments worn by everyone.  No shorts and no trousers for the Girls.