uncle

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Having started out his life in South Dakota, and having family there, my husband’s uncle, Bobby Cole was very much at home in the rural areas of that state. That is likely why he and Aunt Linda Cole moved to Kennebec, South Dakota after they got married. They liked the small-town feel and the peace and quiet. I can understand that. The times we went for visits, were very laid-back and relaxing, although I don’t think I could live there. There isn’t much to do, and if you aren’t visiting someone with whom you can play cards or something, it could get pretty boring. We liked it, because we were just visiting, but to live there…probably not.

Bobby, Linda, and their kids, Sheila and Pat lived there until the hotel they owned caught fire after being struck by lightning. They could have rebuilt it, I guess, but the population of the area and the hotel’s distance from the interstate made rebuilding impractical. So, they moved from their beloved Kennebec to Winnemucca, Nevada. Of course, that is a much bigger place, but the reality is that home is where you are. You may not like where you are, but it is still where home is. Nevertheless, they grew to like Winnemucca. They got jobs in the casinos, and they found that they liked that. They gambled a little, and won a little, which is nice.

Bobby and Linda were always fun people to be around, and we enjoyed the visits we made to their home both in Kennebec and Winnemucca. I’m so glad that we took the time to really get to know Bobby, Linda, and their kids. We always felt like we had been a blessing to them, as they were to us. Bobby left us eleven years ago on May 30, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away in Colorado Springs, Colorado while seeking treatment. Today would have been Bobby’s 82nd birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Bobby. We love and miss you very much.

My uncle, Bill Spencer was a unique character. He liked things that some people might find boring, but then again, lots of people would really enjoy. When he was just eight years old, he discovered his mother’s “little black book” in which she kept the names of her ancestors as she knew them up to that time. He really became obsessed with the book and the wealth of family history information he found there, but that was not enough for this young family historian. He began to work on finding more sources for information. He talked to anyone he could think of. He check places like libraries, church records, court houses. He looked for things like land records, baptisms, birth certificates, death records, and census records. There were no computers with which to search in those days, so it was not a job for the faint of heart. You really needed to be dedicated, and he was dedicated.

Uncle Bill’s obsession with family history remained a lifelong project for him. He traveled to a number of places in search of the graves of ancestors. Some of his greatest treasures were pictures of him with the headstone of an ancestor he had tracked down after a long search of a cemetery. Those pictures, and the detail they contained, became treasures to me too, and in one instance they helped me walk right to the grave of my 2nd great grandfather, Allen Spencer (misspelled on the stone as Spenser). I was in the cemetery, and didn’t have any other information, but a hillside and a building made me take a little walk, because it just looked right. It was. I was amazed. Once again, Uncle Bill’s attention to detail saved the day.

Uncle Bill photocopied pictures, documents, and records, and made an ancestor information page for each ancestor he found. As I said, computers didn’t come out until much later on. Much of Uncle Bill’s information is handwritten, which he has always felt was better anyway. Uncle Bill considered the handwritten words almost as much a treasure, as the words themselves. I began to understand what he meant by that, the first time I saw a document with the signature of an ancestor on it. Just knowing that my ancestor had actually signed the very document that I saw, was stunning. Still, while I saw the value of the handwritten letters and such that my uncle wanted, I found it hard to accommodate his desire for letters. Those I wrote were often typed on my computer. I guess it was a side effect of my techy mentality.

Family history, and history in general, wasn’t Uncle Bill’s only area of interest. He loved antiques, collecting and selling them. He also was a gun dealer, and he loved all kinds of guns. That may have started when he found out that the Spencer rifle was invented by his 2nd great grandfather (my 3rd) Christopher Spencer, who actually demonstrated it to President Abraham Lincoln on the White House lawn…an unheard-of idea these days. And Uncle Bill was a bit of an inventor…or maybe re-inventor to be more precise. He built a tractor to be used on the farm, using a 1927 Dodge 4-cylinder engine with a 6-volt electrical system, truck tires, and a 1915 5-ton Wilcox pickup body. It was interesting to say the least. Still, I’m sure that because it did the job he wanted it to, he felt like it was quite the accomplishment. Today would have been my Uncle Bill’s 103rd birthday. He went to Heaven on Christmas day 2020, just one month short of his 99th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Uncle Bill. We love and miss you very much.

My uncle, Wayne Byer was an amazing skater. He actually started skating “for profit” at seven years old, when he worked at the skating rink. I’m not sure how that worked exactly, with child labor laws, but likely it wasn’t considered a real job, and he was “paid” in free skate time. As he got older, he became an excellent skater, even perfecting the trick of skating so low to the ground, that he could light a match for his cigarette by scraping it on the floor with his teeth. I don’t know how long he worked there, that just the story I was told.

Uncle Wayne was always a trickster, and he loved to pick on the girls. They never really minded it too much. Uncle Wayne was pretty popular with the ladies. One of the things he used to do was to hide in the trees along the route he knew the girls had to walk, so he could scare them. That can be a little disconcerting, of course, because you don’t know if he is there or not. Nevertheless, with his winning smile, they always forgave him.

Another of Uncle Wayne’s escapades was known a “Hooky Bobbing” and involved holding onto a moving vehicle, such as a car or truck, while it is driving on snow or ice. The person doing this gets a free but dangerous ride, often without the motorist’s knowledge. While I’ve seen this, in movies or videos, I think I would be too scared…or maybe the word is wise, to do such a thing. Still, boys being boys, this type of activity was attempted or made a habit of, at least by the gutsy ones. Uncle Wayne was just gutsy and mischievous enough to be one of those boys.

Uncle Wayne was the younger of my grandparents, George and Hattie Byer’s two sons, and his older brother, Larry was the shorter of the two. I don’t know if that really bothered Uncle Larry or not, but at the very least, he pretended that it did. When we had professional family portraits done years ago and the family Christmas party, the nine siblings were lined up in order of birth with Grandma and Grandpa. When you looked at the picture, you saw the mischievous smiles on Uncle Larry and Uncle Wayne’s faces. My mom, Collene Spencer had the dubious honor of standing in the middle of the boys, due to her place of birth. One might think that they were picking on Mom, but the reality was that Uncle Larry had found a small ledge behind them, and was standing up on it so he could look as tall as Uncle Wayne. They both knew what he was doing, and they were both laughing about it. I’m surprised they could keep from laughing outright. They were a couple of characters for sure. Today is my Uncle Wayne’s 87th birthday. Happy birthday Uncle Wayne!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

My uncle, Bill Beadle, spent much of his working life in the pipe yards. Later, he owned his own rathole drilling business with his sons, Forrest and Steve, by his side. While Uncle Bill was a great machinist and an all-around mechanic, he truly loved fishing and bird hunting in the Worland area with his son, Steve the best. I am certain that is also why Uncle Bill was so content, in his later years, to live with Steve, his wife, Wanda, and their family. I can imagine they spent a lot of time discussing their fishing trips and their time walking the fields hunting for pheasants and chukars. Uncle Bill enjoyed hunting them because it was so exciting to walk the fields, waiting for that unexpected bird to fly up out of nowhere. The hunter had only seconds to react and would succeed only if he was truly skilled. Uncle Bill was truly skilled.

Uncle Bill Beadle was a unique individual. He had a deep love for all things western, and particularly the Old West. It is possible that he even felt he should have been living in the era. It is not that God made a mistake by placing him in the wrong time, but sometimes our personal preferences make us feel as though we might have been better suited to a different era. His family would have disagreed with him, had he suggested that he should have lived in the Old West…mostly because we wouldn’t have wanted him not to be with us. For Uncle Bill, it was not about living in the Old West, but about his love for Wyoming, which he truly did. Nevertheless, he was a cowboy at heart and would have loved to spend time in the Old West, even if it had only been a short time…like “Back to the Future!!”

Uncle Bill was always entertaining and humorous, and I enjoyed visiting with him. When his memory began to decline, Uncle Bill could no longer attend family gatherings, and as many elderly people, he struggled to communicate with family members, and it became easier for him to stay home rather than attempt to engage in conversations. I truly miss those times with Uncle Bill. Today would have been Uncle Bill’s 96th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Uncle Bill. We love and miss you very much.

My uncle, George Hushman was the first person I ever knew who was adopted or orphaned. Of course, we didn’t know of his “status” at the time. My sisters, Cheryl Masterson, Caryl Reed, Alena Stevens, and Allyn Hadlock, just knew that we all liked him. Uncle George living in the orphanage in Casper and going to school here when he met my aunt, Evelyn Byer. They fell in love and were married for 68 years, until she went home to be with the Lord. Uncle George lived another three years before joining her.

Uncle George didn’t know his family for most of his life, but when he joined our family, he became part of a big family. Then, with their marriage, the family began to grow. Following their marriage, their five children followed in rapid succession. Their first, a daughter named Sheila Ann, known as Susie to all who know her, was born on November 14, 1948, just fourteen months later. Their first son, George Wave, was born on December 13, 1949, just thirteen months later. He was by Kay on November 8, 1950, Shannon Lee January 27, 1953, and finally Gregory Wane on April 10, 1954. By the time Aunt Evelyn and Uncle George’s family was complete, other children in the Byer family married, the family continued to grow quickly. Of course, The Hushman family didn’t stop there either. Their children have children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. Families have a way of doing that.

I’m sure that if they could see their family now, they would be very proud of not only their numbers, but the things they have become. Their children and grandchildren have gone on to become responsible adults with amazing careers. And they are still in the process of becoming the great people they are meant to be. Uncle George has been in Heaven now for six years. We all miss him and the rest of the family who have gone on before us. Our goal now is to do what we can to make them all proud. Happy 98th birthday in Heaven, Uncle George. We love and miss you very much.

Our aunt, Linda Cole was always a vibrant, happy person. She had a laugh that would light up a room. We didn’t see Linda and her husband Bobby as much as some of the rest of the family, because they lived for many years is Kennebec, South Dakota, where they owned a little “mom and pop” hotel. To visit them and their children, Sheila and Pat meant a trip of at least a weekend, and better yet a three or four day weekend. The drive was long enough to where you had to stay the night. The nice thing was that since they owned a hotel, you always had a place to stay…and they never would let us pay them for the room. They just liked that we wanted to come for a visit at least once a year.

When the hotel burned down, after being struck by lightning, they pretty much lost their livelihood. To rebuild made no sense, because there was a chain motel that was right off the interstate, meaning that fewer people actually came into Kennebec to the “mom and pop” that was located there. Times were changing, and they would have to change with them. The solution was a move to Winnemucca, Nevada, where they found jobs working in the casinos. I think they were happy to be free of the hotel, because it meant no more cleaning rooms and limiting their vacation times to the months when no one was traveling, including them. Winters in South Dakota can be a special kind of brutal, and travel was hazardous. Linda and Bobby found that the warmer, dryer climate of Nevada really suited them, so they stayed for the rest of their lives. They never “struck it rich” but they had a good time. Their move to Nevada meant that fewer people went for visits, and that is sad. It was a little further, so it was hard. Her sister, Joann and brother-in-law visited the most.

Bobby passed away from cancer on May 30, 2014, at the age of 71, and Linda passed away unexpectantly on September 22, 2016, from a heart attack at the age of 69. We were shocked and saddened by their passing. They were, in my opinion, far too young. I think Linda lost the will to live after Bobby passed. They were such a part of each other. Their marriage was on that was made in Heaven, and they never doubted their love for each other for a minute. Today would have been Linda’s 78th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Linda. We love and miss you very much.

Last Thursday brought the sad news that my aunt, Doris Spencer was leaving this earth. It was so hard to believe, mostly because she had lived her for a little over 100 years. So many people don’t get that opportunity, but Aunt Doris was very blessed. She had beaten the odds, to become a centenarian!! We were all so happy for her, and she was so happy. Her birthday celebration was such a wonderful event…worthy of her great accomplishment.

The reality is that her whole life was lived as a blessing. I will never forget when we visited her. She always made everything so special. It didn’t matter what time we arrived; she would get up and make a meal. She always felt that a guest should have something to eat, and she was a wonderful cook, so we didn’t argue with her philosophy. We had so many wonderful visits through the years. I specifically remember the time we got to go and pick blueberries. Then we had cereal with fresh blueberries on it. Oh, my goodness!! So good!!

Aunt Doris’ life was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her family was the most important part of her life. She was blessed with long life and good health. For most of her years, she was able to get around largely on her own, even when she no longer drove, she could still maneuver and visit with family and friends. Aunt Doris liked people, and she enjoyed being with people. Now her life wasn’t perfect, and she has lost loved ones, but she knew she would see those who went before her, again, and now she is in Heaven with those who have gone before her.

Aunt Doris was the saving grace for my mother. When my mom, Collene Spencer and dad, Al Spencer got married and moved to Superior, Wisconsin, Aunt Doris and Uncle Bill rented the house behind their own to my parents. The girls became best friends, and mom, who had never been away from her family before, felt like it would all be ok. She and Aunt Doris had so many “escapades” together, and they wouldn’t have traded a single one for anything different. Now, the girls are back together again in Heaven, and I’m sure they are having a wonderful time. I’m sure Aunt Doris is having a great time with all of her family and friends who have gone before her. We will miss Aunt Doris so much. She lived a wonderful, long life, and she was a blessing to all of us. Aunt Doris, we love you so much, and we can’t wait to see you again.

Our uncle, Butch Schulenberg is a man who cares deeply about the things he loves. He is a family man, who is always there for his wife and kids…going above and beyond for them in everything from their health to their kids’ school activities. These past few years, he has been caring for his wife of 58 years, Charlys, who suffered a burn a while back, but is doing quite well under Butch’s care and that of their grandson, Christian Schulenberg, a CNA at the Forsyth Nursing Home, who lives with them. Having Christain there gives them extra help, when he isn’t working. I am so thankful that Charlys is doing well. She is so sweet, and we want to keep her with us for a long time. Butch has been an excellent caregiver.

Uncle Butch is a sports fan, from his own days as a football player, I’m sure. He is what would be called a booster. He supports every sport his grandchildren play in, as well as every sport of his hometown, Forsyth, Montana. He may not be able to get to every game, but he knows who won and by how much. He is an encouragement to the teams…win or lose. Of course, he wants them to win, but in sports, there is just as much importance in sportsmanship as there is in victory. A poor winner is as bad as a poor loser. Sports is about being the best team they can be and knowing that not every game will be won. Nevertheless, every player in the small town of Forsyth, Montana knows that Butch Schulenberg supports their hard work.

In the summer months, when school is out, Butch can usually be found in his yard growing the sweetest little flower garden. He loves yard work, and while the place he lives has a crew that maintains the grounds, they know that Butch Schulenberg will likely be mowing his area of the lawn. He loves to take pictures of his flowers so we can all enjoy them, and he also loves to take pictures of the beautiful sunsets over the Yellowstone River near their home. They live high up above the river on a bit of a bluff, and the view down to the river is spectacular, sunset or not. Whenever they can, they like to visit their kids, Andi Kay, Tadd, and Heath at their homes, or have the kids come for visits. Their grandchildren are the collective apple of their eye. They love them unconditionally and support them in all they do. People just couldn’t be more blessed than having people like Butch and Charlys as their parents and grandparents. Today is Uncle Butch’s 84th birthday. Happy birthday Uncle Butch!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

Aunt Ruth Wolfe grew up on a farm surrounded by horses…her absolute favorite animal. The country girl lifestyle suited her. During World War II, while her brother, my father Allen Spencer, served in the Army Air Forces, she worked the farm with her mother brother, Bill. She took on the farm work and also worked as a welder in the shipyards, becoming one of the Worl War II’s well known “Rosie the Riveters.” Later, married to my Uncle Jim Wolfe, they lived in the country near Casper, Wyoming…gardening, canning, and raising farm animals. Aunt Ruth was a capable woman, achieving anything she set her mind to. Her talents were many, ranging from the hard work of farming and canning to playing musical instruments and painting.

One of the most unexpected decisions Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim made was moving to Vallejo, California. It’s surprising that someone who loved country living would choose a city. Vallejo, a suburb of San Francisco, is a sharp contrast to Casper, Wyoming, and Holyoke, Minnesota, where Aunt Ruth grew up. Perhaps they just wanted a change, which I get since my family transitioned from rural to urban living in Casper. Still, I can see the draw of city life and California’s milder climate probably better suited my aunt and uncle.

After living in California for a while, the country life drew them back to the mountains of Washington state. The move to the mountains didn’t surprise me much; country living seemed to be in my aunt and uncle’s blood, as much a part of their being, as their DNA. Once they settled in eastern Washington, they stayed put. They purchased a mountaintop and built three cabins: one for themselves, one for their daughter Shirley and her husband Shorty Cameron, and one for their son Terry and his family. For Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim, this was their final abode. Having visited their mountaintop, I understand its allure, but since moving back to town, I’ve realized I wouldn’t want to live in the countryside or on a mountaintop permanently. Nonetheless, it was their safe haven. Today would have marked Aunt Ruth’s 99th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Aunt Ruth. We love and miss you very much.

As a toddler, my aunt, Evelyn Hushman was learning how to properly address her adult relatives. Each time she referred to an aunt or uncle by their first name, her parents would remind her, “You must say Uncle Ted or Aunt Gladys.” This instruction was likely repeated often, as it’s challenging for a toddler to understand why they must use a different title when everyone else uses the person’s first name. It’s a perplexing period for a young child who is just starting to understand social norms.

These days, at least in our family, many of the aunts and uncles go by just their first names, and while some people might think that odd, I am just as comfortable being Caryn as I am Aunt Caryn. We don’t consider it to be any kind of a show of disrespect. But in times past, and in many families today, if the person is an aunt or uncle, you must address them as Aunt this or Uncle that. We do draw the line at grandma and grandpa, and my grandchildren know that while Gma, G, or G-mamma is ok, Caryn is not. I suppose that could be confusing to little kids too, but that is the way it is. Another place where we draw the line is Mommy and Daddy, or Mom and Dad. But for the aunts and uncles we are a little more casual.

Aunt Evelyn was an incredibly social person with a close-knit circle of friends who formed a club. This group consisted of eight girls and eight boys, and their parents would rotate hosting parties for them. They were the envy of all the siblings, who longed to be old enough to join in. When it was my grandmother’s turn, she organized the gathering at the North Casper Clubhouse for a Taffy Pulling Party. A few parents were present, but the event was primarily for the sixteen club members, with younger children excluded, though they did receive some taffy afterwards. The party was a resounding success, leaving my grandmother delighted with the outcome. It’s likely that the younger siblings aspired to have such friendships when they grew up, but Aunt Evelyn’s club was truly one of a kind.

My Aunt Evelyn was the oldest among my mother’s siblings. She and my mother often went on double dates during the time my parents were dating. Aunt Evelyn and Uncle George had been married for about five years then. Despite the eight-year age difference, the sisters shared a close friendship. My father and Uncle George were also friends, making double dating a natural choice for them. They joined a bowling league together, turning their double dates into a cherished weekly tradition that lasted for years and years. They were nights that my sisters and I fondly recall. Today would have been Aunt Evelyn’s 96th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Aunt Evelyn. We love and miss you very much.

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