Journal entry by Al Negstad — 49 minutes ago
Martin, Edith, Agnes and Margaret were the youngest four children of my grandparents, Olai's and Minnie's, surviving ten children (two died as infants) and these four were very close emotionally. Martin died in a barnstorming plan crash as a young, single man. Margaret, the youngest, born with a heart mummer, died childless in the early 40's. This left my mother, Edith, and my aunt Agnes, who lived with her husband, Harold, in St. Paul's, St. Anthony Park neighborhood. It was Agnes and Harold, who introduced me to Joanne, whom they knew from St. Anthony Park, in the cafeteria line at Augustana College. This is the story of how, once again, Harold and Agnes came into play in my life.
In 1964 Joanne began her work as a counselor and St. Louis Park, MN., High School. Early in our stay in St. Louis Park, Joanne went to Methodist Hospital to visit Uncle Harold, who was a patient there. In the lobby she saw Harold's daughter, Louise, my cousin and Joanne's childhood friend, in conversation. When she approached Louise, Louise said "this is my friend from St. Olaf College, Gerry, she's a counselor at Hopkins High School," which is the neighboring district to St Louis Park. Naturally they chatted; knowing Joanne you're not surprised. 😉
A bit later there was a meeting of school counselors at a local motel and Jerry and Joanne met in the women's restroom. Joanne offered Gerry hand lotion and asked Gerry if she was going to the planned counselor's tour of colleges and so they paired as roommates. That was the beginning of great friendship and when Lisa was baptized at Westwood Lutheran Church, September, 1967, Gerry was her Godmother. Gerry is why we're in Dayton and we're telling stories, many of which Lisa has not heard. Gerry, too, lives in the land of grief and her one sibling, a brother, died a number of years ago. We share stories of the presence of absence.
Takk for alt,
Al
Pictured; some of the family gathered for Allan's service.
In 1964 Joanne began her work as a counselor and St. Louis Park, MN., High School. Early in our stay in St. Louis Park, Joanne went to Methodist Hospital to visit Uncle Harold, who was a patient there. In the lobby she saw Harold's daughter, Louise, my cousin and Joanne's childhood friend, in conversation. When she approached Louise, Louise said "this is my friend from St. Olaf College, Gerry, she's a counselor at Hopkins High School," which is the neighboring district to St Louis Park. Naturally they chatted; knowing Joanne you're not surprised. 😉
A bit later there was a meeting of school counselors at a local motel and Jerry and Joanne met in the women's restroom. Joanne offered Gerry hand lotion and asked Gerry if she was going to the planned counselor's tour of colleges and so they paired as roommates. That was the beginning of great friendship and when Lisa was baptized at Westwood Lutheran Church, September, 1967, Gerry was her Godmother. Gerry is why we're in Dayton and we're telling stories, many of which Lisa has not heard. Gerry, too, lives in the land of grief and her one sibling, a brother, died a number of years ago. We share stories of the presence of absence.
Takk for alt,
Al
Pictured; some of the family gathered for Allan's service.
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