This book is dedicated to my Grandpa Lou. He died January 17, 2016. He meant the world to her.

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/ag5p7iswnu5z

Background

She was born September 20, 1945 in Wahoo County, NE. She lived on a farmer growing up.

Family History

Our family was from Czechoslovakia. Her moms side (Simodynes), were farmers for Lords in her area. The Lords took the best of everything. By moonlight when the fields were all dug up, they would step on potatoes, and dig them up in the morning for the lords. They took the rest of what the Lords didn't take so they weren't starving.

Her dads side (Stejskal/ Styskal- means lonesome) lived in a house on posts. Their animals were in the backyard, and could go underneath the house like a barn. The girls' job was to clean pigs every day so it wouldn't make the house stink.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When she was little she wanted to be a nun; this was normal because most girls that age wanted to be a nun back then.

She wanted to be a good christian mother and dental assistant/tech.

Most memorable event: Bay of Pigs

Russians were in cuba and wanted to attack the US (1961). Kennedy was president. She remembered it because all 3 of her brothers were in the national guard. They had a going away party and took their first family picture

Fashion and Fads

-black and white saddle shoes with bobby socks

-jeans started becoming popular

-hair in ponytail tied with a silky scarf

-sockhops on saturday nights

-records

-poodle skirts

-penny loafer

Memory of Brothers and Sister

They would go sleigh riding. They would throw water down to pack snow. One or two sat on sled. They had popcorn and hot cocoa afterwards

Mom was a jokester

Her older (middle) brother used to shoot her younger brother with bb guns. One time they filled younger brothers hand with ketchup when he was shot and made it look like he was bleeding so it would scare older (middle) brother and he wouldnt do it anymore.

Favorite Toys growing up

She loved her Bonnie Braids doll. It was a doll with blonde hair and had piggy tail braids.

One Christmas, there was a letter from santa on christmas wrapping paper that said the store ran out of dolls and there would be another doll delivered soon.

School

first school- one room country school house. kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.

kindergarden-8th grade all were in one room

second school- catholic school. had to take 2nd and 3rd grade all in one year to catch up because the other school didnt help her learn much

School Activities

She played volleyball and was pep club president.

How is the world different from when you were a kid?

The technology has changed the most. TV's and typewriters. Wall phones. She lived 5 and a half miles from town, which was a long distance back then.

College

She didn't go to college til her 30's. She went to WSU and took some classes when she lived in Kentucky.

She only lacked a couple of credits from having an associates degree. She originally wanted to do social work or dentistry.

Do you remember your first date? Could you tell me about it?

"Oh gosh. Jimmy Boyles. He was the neighbor boy. His sister janice, and her boyfriend were in the front seat. I was in the back seat with jimmy. We went to a movie, then we went to the WigWam cafe to have a treat of some kind. Probably a cherry coke."

How/where did you and grandpa meet?

methodis church in herington. she was upstairs. when she came downstairs and someone introduced them. in her 40's (41 or 42) silver hair and blue eyes caught her eye

called her up for a date and she hung up and said he had the wrong number.didnt recognize his name.

called back and explained who he was "how do you do, my name is Lou"

How did grandpa propose?

She doesn't remember how Grandpa proposed, but she does remember their first kiss. When he leaned in to kiss her, their glasses clinked.

She also remembers when they went to Junction City to buy engagement ring. They soon went to Nebraska to ask her dad for her hand in marriage.

What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited? What was it like?

"Paris at christmas time when it was snowing. It was lit up and the lights were all white. I went with Grandpa and we got to go up in the Eiffel Tower."

What would you say you know now about living a happy life that you didn't know when you were 20?

"Life is not about material things, it is all about relationships and protecting them. You don't get a second chance once they're gone. You cant talk to them again." (grandpa, sister Dolores)

What advise do you have for teenagers?

"To realize that what you say, do, and act now will definitely affect your future- if you act badly it will catch up to you. If you act good, it will be a jewel in your crown... Live with no regrets."

"The most difficult thing about getting old is that I can't physically do all of the stuff I used to. The most rewarding is that wisdom comes with age and all the memories." (childhood, babies, grandpa)