Health
When I think of my husband’s aunt, Esther Hein, I am reminded of the relationship she had with my mother-in-law, her sister-in-law, Joan Schulenberg. These days they are both in Heaven, and I can just imagine them reminiscing about the old days. When Esther was a young girl, her family lived on a ranch in Montana. By that time, her brother, Walt Schulenberg (my father-in-law) was married and living in town. Montana winters can be harsh, making it tough for kids from rural areas to get to school. To solve that problem, from time to time, Esther stayed with her brother and his wife, my mother-in-law, Joann Schulenberg. As kids often are, she could be a bit rowdy and mischievous…not a bad child, just a kid. My mother-in-law, being a mom herself, had to maintain order, so 
whenever Esther did something she didn’t like, she’d say, “Don’t, Esther!” She might spank her own kids, but dealing with a sister-in-law was different, so her go-to discipline was just that phrase.
When my mother-in-law was older, she was afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, and eventually, it all clicked. I’d always known who she meant but never understood the connection to me. Esther and I had a good laugh about it, and I told Esther it was better for her to take the blame…after all, she was far away and didn’t have to deal with Mom actually being mad. As for me, I decided that if I ever did something my mother-in-law disapproved of, I’d just say, “Esther did it!” It figured it would be sure to keep me out of trouble…sorry about that Esther!!
I think Esther forgave me for my little fib when putting the blame on her. In fact, when I told her about it, she 
thought it was really funny. When you are dealing with an Alzheimer’s patient, each day is a new story, and you have to learn to “roll with the punches,” so to speak. When my mother-in-law said, “Don’t Esther,” it gave me an out, and as her main caregiver, sometimes I needed a way out of taking the blame of “bossing” her around. Alzheimer’s patients often need to be told when to go to bed, get up, when to eat, and most other activities as time goes by. Blaming Esther gave me “a way out” of being the bad guy.
For a couple of reasons, I have always had an interest in the Lakota Sioux Native American tribe. The first is that I love visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota which is closely tied to the Lakota Sioux tribe. The other reason the Lakota have interested me is that my great uncle, John Spare was actually adopted by a Lakota Sioux chief named Walking Cloud, who had lost his son, and been impressed with Uncle John. So, he decided to adopt him, even though Uncle John was a grown man. I guess that if people can have dual citizenship, they can also have dual parentship…or whatever it might be called.
Now, I found another reason to be interested in the Lakota Sioux…the “Lakota Grandmas.” The term “Lakota Grandmas” refers to four Lakota women who, in 1953, founded the Lakota TB and Health Association to combat a tuberculosis outbreak among the Cheyenne River Sioux. These weren’t your typical grandmas, but rather were four Lakota grandmothers who took management of the outbreak into their own hands. These women…Phoebe Downing (Standing Rock), Eunice Larrabee (Cheyenne River), Alfreda Janis Bergin (Pine Ridge), and Irene Groneau (Sisseton-Wahpeton)…banded together to serve their tribal health communities by tackling a variety of health issues, including tuberculosis, mental health, and alcoholism. These women saw a serious need and took it upon themselves to work together for the common good of their people and their reservations. Their work contributed greatly to the development of the Community Health Representative programs under the Indian Health Service (IHS). These women were instrumental in shaping health programs within the Indian Health Service (IHS), including starting the Community Health Representative (CHR) program.
Apparently, Lakota grandmothers have long been valued as keepers of knowledge. To this day, they remain vital to their communities, playing important roles in healthcare, intergenerational care, and tackling social factors that impact health. Their role intensified in 1953, amid a tuberculosis outbreak. That was when the four Lakota grandmothers banded together for the common good. One of the diseases most commonly dealt with by the Lakota grandmas was diabetes. Intergenerational caregiving is on the rise as challenges like unemployment and violence put more pressure on families. That brought a need for grandmothers to step up in vital ways. Among the Lakota, grandmothers are deeply engaged in community advocacy, from boosting health literacy to guiding 
advance care planning, making sure their voices shape important healthcare decisions. The Native Americans have always placed great value on the elderly, and maybe that is a lesson we should all learn. Whether all of our elderly are in a position to make such astounding changes or not, these four women certainly were, and together, they made a difference.
We always loved when Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim Wolfe came to town for visits. They were fun-loving people who kept things lively and had us laughing all the time. They usually brought their three kids…Shirley Cameron, Larry Wolfe (who passed away in 1976), and Terry Wolfe. Sometimes they came with friends of Larry and Terry or with Shirley’s husband Wayne “Shorty” Cameron, and children, Tonnya Cameron, and Larry Cameron. It was especially fun when the kids were there. The boys were rowdy and rambunctious, and while my sisters and I couldn’t “take” them in a wrestling match, that didn’t stop us from trying…or them from pretending we might win. The boys’ style was just like Aunt Ruth’s. Their whole family was full of laughter, and I dearly miss those who have gone on to Heaven. 
Aunt Ruth was a talented musician who could play any instrument she picked up, which was a favorite memory of her daughter Shirley’s. Shirley loved her mom’s talent in both music and art, and she was so proud of her mom. I had no idea Aunt Ruth was so gifted until we visited Shirley and Shorty after Uncle Jim passed away. Shirley showed us some of Aunt Ruth’s paintings. Sadly, many of Aunt Ruth’s belongings were lost in a fire that destroyed the home she had shared with Uncle Jim. By then, Aunt Ruth had passed, but Uncle Jim still lived there, next door to Shirley and her family. The fire marked the moment it became clear Uncle Jim, who now had Alzheimer’s, needed to move to a nursing home. It was a difficult time for everyone, not just because of the lost pictures, paintings, and instruments, but also because Shirley could no longer visit her dad every day 
since the nursing home was too far away. Aunt Ruth was also a skilled equestrienne and often raced her horses.
Aunt Ruth passed away much too soon at the age of 66. She had a fast-growing form of cancer, and before any of us could fully process the fact that she had Cancer, she was gone. It was such a heartbreaking time, and we all miss her deeply. She passed away on May 11, 1992, and it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since then. Today would have been her 100th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Aunt Ruth. We love and miss you dearly.
My niece, Cassi Franklin’s partner, Wesley Burr is a first-time dad, and he is loving every minute of it. Being Daddy to a toddler is a big job, but Wesley takes his job seriously. He wants to be the best Daddy ever to is daughter Alicen. Wesley is also stepdad to Cassi’s older children, Lucas and Zoey Iverson, and he has been very uplifting and encouraging to them and to Cassi. He is also very adamant about their future and making it the best future ever. Wesley is going to be taking some college classes this next semester and has plans to open a bakery sandwich food truck soon. Wesley enjoys making bread, so the idea of a bakery sandwich food truck is a logical next step. He is very excited about this new venture.
Wesley has been fighting an auto immune disease, and in the last year, he has become 
really health conscious. In fact, watching what he eats and working on healthy, clean eating has enabled him to cure a whole lot of that auto immune disease. He has been working really hard on growing their own food in their garden, which has helped with his diet, I’m sure. Auto immune diseases are so hard to live with, but many people have found that changing their diet and eating what is known as clean foods. “Eating clean foods means consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. This approach encourages the use of whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, while avoiding or limiting processed foods, sugars, and additives. Clean eating can be a holistic approach to health that supports long-term well-being and may contribute to weight management and improved mental 
clarity. It is not a strict diet but rather a lifestyle choice that promotes mindful eating and a balanced diet.”
Wesley is a smart man, and he has decided to put his abilities to work at home. He is homeschooling their daughter, Zoey this year. That is going to be an exciting time for them. Wesley loves learning, pretty much all learning, but his favorite things include history and war information. These will be things that he can happily share with Zoey. Wesley and Zoey get along very well. He is such a sweet natured man, and he makes life fun for the whole family. Wes loves the “nerdy” things, like Xbox and Star Trek, and he is always game for some fun with those. I’m sure he and Zoey have great fun with those. Wesley loved off-roading and really any outdoor activity with family. They love to go camping, and lots of other outdoor activities too. Life is good. Today is Wesley’s birthday. Happy birthday Wesley!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My aunt, Jeannette Byer is an amazing woman. She just never gives up. Aunt Jeanette has suffered with Macular Degeneration for a number of years, but that does not prevent her from going out and walking every day. Her path varies from walking around her apartment complex to walking downtown. In the Winter, she walks the hallways inside the apartment complex. She used to walk down along the Platte River and even cross the railroad tracks, but her family rightly asked her not to do that because of the obvious dangers there. I’m grateful that even though Aunt Jeanette is stubborn in some things, like continuing to walk and stay fit, she was not too stubborn to agree to avoid possible danger. I am so proud of her for her continuing dedication to staying healthy, active, and vibrant. She is truly and inspiration to all of us.
Aunt Jeanette and my uncle, Larry Byer spent much of their married life living in the country east of Casper, but when the Texaco Refinery here closed down, and Uncle Larry wasn’t old enough to retire, they accepted the transfer to Louisianna. While everyone missed them very much, we all knew that it was only until his retirement, and it was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience a different place and culture, and the warmer weather wasn’t a bad thing either. They enjoyed their time in Louisianna, and hosted a number of family members there, which blessed everyone that took the trip. Grandma Byer, Uncle Larry’s mom, got to go, and she had a wonderful time. We were so happy that she got to go. They had a great time showing her the sights.
Aunt Jeanette doesn’t drive anymore, obviously, but she does enjoy the trips she gets to take with her daughter 
Tina Grosvenor, often to the casino, where they do a little gambling. If Aunt Jeanette has a vise, gambling would be it. She enjoys it, but she never gambles to excess. She just dabbles in it, and that’s ok. A girl’s got to have a little fun…right!! Aunt Jeanette might not be a “young girl,” but she is young at heart, and in many ways, young in body too, and that is all her, because she never gives up!! She works every day to stay strong and active. Today is Aunt Jeanette’s 89th birthday, and she seems more like 65 to me, for sure!! Happy birthday Aunt Jeanette!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Years ago, my daughter, Corrie Petersen found herself in a decent job, but it was a dead-end job when it came to promotions and such. While she was already doing the job that would have been a promotion, they said she needed a college degree to be considered. Well, she got that degree, but not in that field. She chose, instead to take a different course of action. If they didn’t see her value, she would go into a field where her value would be appreciated. So, after years of being out of school, Corrie went back to college to become a nurse, and she has never looked back.
It has been two years since Corrie graduated from nursing school and passed her NCLEX test to become a (BSN RN) registered nurse with a Bachelors Degree. That is amazing to me…and to her. The time has literally flown by. She is in her dream career and is quickly becoming the go-to advisor for our family concerning all things medical. Corrie works at Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital and is well liked and respected. Her life now is a “far cry” from that old dead-end job she bailed on years ago, when this journey began. The nursing degree, according to the Guiness Book of 
World Records, is the hardest degree to obtain, and I totally believe that. I don’t know of anyone who has gone through that program without shedding many tears and dealing with a “boatload” of anxiety. There is so much information to commit to memory, and even the best students struggle. Nevertheless, all the struggle is worth it when they hold that degree in their hands and know that they made it.
The entire time that Corrie was in nursing school, she was also gaining two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. Life doesn’t stop just because you are in nursing school, or any other course of study for that matter…even if we sometimes wish it could. You have to buckle down, and hit the books hard, while still trying to keep up with the rest of your life. Of course, she would tell you that she couldn’t have done it without her husband, Kevin Petersen, and that his support was a vital part of her success. Kevin was there for her every step of the way, through every teardrop she shed and every anxious moment, and for his support, she was so grateful, as am I. Today, all that schooling is behind her, but that doesn’t mean that the learning is behind her. 
Nursing is not a “one and done” kind of career. Every year she must do continuing education, and every advancement comes with study and testing. Right now, she is studying for her test to become a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse. I am confident that she will pass the test with ease. As with everything else, Corrie faces each new challenge with determination and confidence. I am so proud of her achievements. Today is Corrie’s birthday. Happy birthday Corrie!! Have a wonderful day!! We love you!!
In life, there are things you never expected to live through, and your younger sister going to Heaven before you, is one of those things. Nevertheless, that is what happened on April 23, 2025, when my sister, Alena Stevens went home to Heaven. I know where my sister is, because she was a strong spirit-filled believer, who knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior, but for those of us left behind, every day is a challenge, with memories of her, texts we don’t get from her now, the sister dinners without her, the holiday parties now one short, the sister prayer warriors and the sister birthday greetings, also now one short. And her family now must go forward without wife, mother, and grandmother. It is so very sad for us, but for Alena, life goes infinitely forward, and it is amazing…a life we can only imagine.
Alena was a cute little girly girl, and we always knew that she would have a flare for the beautiful. She loved cutting hair, especially her own. Mom was not always a fan of that, because it meant fixing Alena’s “new do” that was invariably very short. Alena’s hair was fine, so shorter cuts worked on her, and really helped to thicken it, but since all the rest of us had long hair, Alena’s short haired look was a sure sign that she had managed to get a hold of the scissors again. While her personal cuts were a trial for our mom, Collene Spencer, Alena was also Mom’s personal hair stylist, cutting her hair and always making Mom’s hair look beautiful for her. Alena never went to cosmetology school, but rather she became an amazing educational support member. Instead, she passed that hair talent, on to her youngest child, daughter, Lacey Killinger, who did go to cosmetology school and now owns her own salon. I know that was a proud moment for my sister. Lacey’s marriage to Chris, also brought Alena two treasured grandchildren, Brooklyn and Jaxon. She loved them very much.
Alena always had a flair for decorating too. Her home is beautiful, and her style always shines through. I never thought of her as an artist, but I think she was to a great degree. Some of the ideas she used on things were stunning. She just knew what colors would look well together and she could mix design styles and have it come out beautifully. I always thought Alena’s daughter, Michelle Miller got her artistic ability from our mom, but when I think about it now, I can see that it was from her mom. Michelle went on to college and got her degree 
in art and education. I know her mom was very proud of her. When Michelle married her middle school sweetheart, Matt, it was such a happy day for Alena. She always knew they were perfect for each other.
While Alena was never a welder, and like her sisters, would have no clue how to begin, her son Garrett followed in the footsteps of our dad, Allen Spencer, and became an excellent welder. I know that was a proud moment for Alena. She thought it was very cool that Garrett took to welding just like Dad. Garrett has not only excelled in welding but is now a trained inspector too. Alena was so proud the day he passed that really tough test. When Garrett and his wife, Kayla began having children, Alena graduated to the rank of “Grandma” and she was delighted beyond words. The time she spent with Elliott and Maya was absolutely wonderful for her, and she gloried in it.
While Alena was mom and grandma, and treasured both roles, it was the life she and Mike created that was absolutely blissful. Alena and Mike were perfect for each other from the very start. Anyone who knew them could easily see how much they loved each other. Theirs was a marriage made in Heaven, and a love that will last forever. The love and kindness they showed each other was the glue that sustained them through more that 40 years of marriage. Their Christian faith flourished through the years too, and they brought their children up to love the Lord too. That is an accomplishment to be very proud of. The last few months that Alena was with us, were the hardest we have ever faced, but Mike carried the heaviest load. Since they were both retired, Mike was home with her, and he was her main support. My sisters and I were so pleased and impressed with the care that Mike gave her. Of course, I’m sure Mike would just say something like, “of course I did, I love her,” but we have all been caregivers, and we know what it entails. No matter how much a caregiver loves their patient or loved one, caregiving is not easy. Mike didn’t care about how hard it was. Alena was the love of his life, his world, and he gave her the very best care, love, and attention we have ever seen. For that we are both proud of Mike and thankful to him. We couldn’t have asked for a better brother-in-law.
Today marks Alena’s 64 birthday, and the first one in Heaven. None of us can believe this is real, but we are 
slowly facing the finality of it. The entire Stevens family is in my thoughts and prayers today, as they face the first of many of her birthdays without Alena. Happy first birthday in Heaven, Alena. I know the party there will be way better than any we could put on here, but we sure wish you were here anyway. We love and miss you very much.
Anyone who has spent much time in Los Angeles through the years can tell you that it didn’t take long for the smog to get bad. All it took was for the morning commute to get started, and very quickly the two million automobiles on the roads would do their dirty work of turning the sky into a “flat canvas of smog haze” as Helena Maria Viramontes, author of Their Dogs Came with Them would say.
For years everyone thought that air pollution was seen as thought to be an inevitable part of industrialization. If we wanted progress, cars, factories, and refineries, then we would just have to deal with the air pollution that came with it. In 1943, Los Angeles, which we all know as LA, was hit with some of the worst air pollution in history. The first big “smog scare” sent residents running from what they assumed was a Japanese gas attack. Soon, what was once a clear, beautiful city, with wonderful coastal air, became a tear-inducing haze. No one knew what was causing it. Some even thought that it might be an anomaly of geography. That wasn’t it, of course. The real cause of the problem, while actually attached to the industrial revolution, was directly caused by the fact that the number of cars in LA had doubled from one to two million in a relatively short time.
At the time, scientists were just beginning to understand the impact of industry and development on the 
environment, so the smog was initially misattributed to chemical plants and backyard trash fires. These days, we would have laughed at the idea of “backyard trash burning” being the cause of the massive amount of smog in LA, but they just didn’t know. Then, in 1948, a Caltech biochemist named Arie Haagen-Smit finally made the connection with car exhaust. Even after his discovery, Haagen-Smit had to fight the oil-industry backed researchers who attempted to disprove his ideas. I’m sure the oil industry could see dollar signs flying out the window.
The reality is that while we all want the economic engine that produces smog, no one wants to live with the consequences of that engine. Finally, after much research, the study resulted in an understanding of the correlation between pollution and income levels. Now, more than fifty years since Angelenos began demanding better protection from bad air, the heaviest levels of pollution still seem to concentrate in low-income communities. Eventually change began, but it was slow progress. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1963. Still progress was slow. It took a little more than a decade before national laws began to require catalytic converters for new automobiles. Eventually, the new laws helped roll back the LA haze. Unfortunately, the legislation came too late for the millions of people who had grown up under that dangerous smog. By 1987, an estimated 27 percent of Angelenos were living with “severely damaged” lungs. Across California, almost 10,000 
people continue to die each year from sickness resulting from air-pollution. We don’t always think of air pollution as being so deadly. Today, ozone levels in LA are 40% of what they were in 1970, and that’s with double the cars. But on a bad day the air in LA is still pretty rough, which is most likely what brought LA its nickname…Smell-A.
After spending the majority of her life as a Labor and Delivery nurse, my sister-in-law, Jennifer Parmely retired from Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming on Feb 23, 2023. Jennifer decided to keep her license until the next time it came up for renewal, and then let it go. She would no longer be a registered nurse. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that she is still and always will be a nurse, but she wouldn’t be licenses to practice anymore. Still, she is available for her family is any of them need any nursing insight, but she couldn’t act in any official capacity. Her niece, my daughter Corrie Petersen decided to follow in her aunt’s footsteps and be a nurse too. Jennifer definitely inspired her.
That makes no difference, really, because these days her life revolves around her physical activities, such as 
activities such as hiking, skiing, biking, and any number of other sports. She and her partner, Brian Cratty own a cabin on Casper Mountain, and they love to spend time in the solitude of their land. There are a number of trails on the mountain that she enjoys hiking on, an d it keeps her in tip top shape.
But her physical activities aren’t the only things Jennifer loves to do. She is Oma to four beautiful grandchildren…three girls and one boy. They and her children are truly her world. Each year on their birthdays, they get to have a special day with Oma, just them. They get to pick out the kind of birthday cake she will make for them, and the often get to spend the night with her too. She always makes their day a super special one. They are all getting so grown up these days, and I suppose those days might one day come to an end, but I think Jennifer will keep up the tradition for as long as she can.
Jennifer and her daughter-in-law, Kelli Schulenberg both like to hike, and love spending time on the mountain in the summer walking the trails. Sometimes the grandchildren, her boys, and her other daughter-in-law, might join them too, but often it’s Brian who has been her hiking partner, as well as her life partner. They also like to bike the trails, and so they make use of the trails that way too. I know that while she doesn’t mind the Winter season, Jennifer always looks forward to the Summer’s warmth and the many hours she will spend on the mountain. Today is Jennifer’s birthday. Happy birthday Jennifer, Have a great day!! We love you!!
Over the years I have been called many names by my grandchildren. Names like grandma, gma, granny, graham cracker, gram, and one of the most common…the shortest name, G. So, it really stands to reason that some of my great grandchildren should call me GG. And it is a name I love because it’s endearing, but also because it reminds me of the original GG…my mom, Collene Spencer.
Mom got her cute little moniker from my grandniece, Aleesia Spethman. They were best pals, and Aleesia loved her GG. Whenever she came over to the house, she would call out, “GG!!” It was as much to call for her GG, as it was to announce that she had arrived to see GG. She spent as much time on GG’s lap when they were together, as she did on anyone else’s lap. They were best friends, and they loved spending time together. Mom always loved being a grandmother and considered it one of life’s greatest blessings. She was a great mom, and always kept our life light and happy, even if she had to act a little bit crazy to make us laugh. Being a mom was all she ever wanted to do, but being a grandmother topped being a mom…mostly because she considered grandchildren as the blessing that came from motherhood. So great grandma, was an even bigger blessing, because it was the blessing that came from the blessing that was motherhood and grandmotherhood. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Mom loved being GG. It made her feel special. Before my mom, I never heard anyone called GG, which of 
course stands for great grandma. I’m not sure how Aleesia came to call her that, but she called her GG from the time she could talk. I have always loved that Mom was called GG, and I consider it an honor to be called the same thing. She was the original GG, and it is quite a title to live up to. I don’t know if I will ever be as great a GG as she was, but I will gladly spend the rest of my life trying to be. Today would have been my mom’s 89th birthday. Happy birthday Mom in Heaven, Mom. Have a great Heavenly birthday party. We love and miss you very much, and we can’t wait until we meet again.
