Not everyone has in-laws that they truly love as their own parents, but I was one of those very people who were so blessed. The first time I met my in-laws, I felt right at home. My future father-in-law, Walt Schulenberg was the main reason I felt so at home. I think he had already decided that I was the one to marry his son…and after fifty years of marriage to his son, Bob, I would say he was right. We were a match made in Heaven, then and now. Still, my father-in-law could not have known that all those years ago, it was just that we simply hit it off. My father-in-law was a fun-loving guy, who loved making people laugh, and that was exactly what he did that night. My mother-in-law, Joann Schulenberg was a little more reserved, but she came around, possibly with his help…but I like to think I won them both over.
My father-in-law was a hard-working man…or actually, a work-a-holic. He was always working on some project at the house, including building the house. When he got a chance to move from the place that the family had lived in for many years, to a place further outside of town, my father-in-law decided to build a huge garage that could hold sis to eight cars, attached to a four-bedroom house. He built it out of cinder blocks long before cinder block house became fashionable. My father-in-law was very skilled at most kinda of building and even crafts. The house turned out great. It was built into a hillside, so the back part was mostly underground. The house was really amazing and the family was very comfortable there. He ever put river rock on the front so it looked really pretty. During that building process, I learned to be a contractor’s assistant, of spurts. I drove the tractor to help level the ground where the house would sit. That was an experience I will never forget. Nevertheless, it really was fun too.
My father-in-law had many talents. He was an excellent mechanic and woodworker. He made whirly gigs to decorate the lawn, and wooden toys for little kids. He also refurbished lawn chairs with beautiful designs made with cord. He sold many things at the craft fairs in town. Selling his wares was fun, but the main thing was visiting with the people. He was a people person, and he loved to sit and visit with people. That was his greatest charm. Today would have been my father-in-law’s 96th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Dad. We love and miss you very much.
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