Heesaker, John Anthony

Other Events:

• Alt. Birth: 7 Jul 1888; Alt. Birth
• Baptism: 18 Jul 1888

Notes:

Family History Researcher:
After leaving home fairly young (it is thought at about 14), he first work ed in a candy factory, and then he delivered ice cream with a team of hor ses for a man named Ives. He was the third to last one to leave a sinki ng ship on Lake Michigan, and spent three days in a raft before help cam e. He once owned a store for a short time, and finally ended up working f or the railroad. John worked with the railroad from 1915 until his deat h. At his death he was working as a switchman. John is buried in Lakewo od Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His funeral was delayed several da ys while his daughter Dorothy came home from California on the train. T he family bought a home in Minneapolis in 1915 where they lived for many y ears.

"John Antonius" in the Dutch

Alt. Birth:
Hollandtown, Brown Co., Wisconsin

Baptism:
St. Willebrord Church, Green Bay, WI

John married Jellum, Bertha Christine Abt 1915, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. Bertha was born 8 Apr 1890, , Clark County, South Dakota, USA; died 15 Jun 1978, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Commentary:
Known as Betty. Served in the Women Marines, reaching the level of Sta ff Sergeant. Betty spent time at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and al so in Portsmouth, VA. She enlisted to be part of the war effort. After r eturning home to Minnesota, she worked in Minneapolis for an advertising a gency where she was to meet her husband, Joseph (Bud) Almars. Marri ed in 1950, they bought a home in Edina in 195x where they lived until Bud 's death in 1997. Betty stayed in the family home until a few months befo re her death in 1998. Betty was active all her life at St. John's Luther an Church in Minneapolis where she was baptized, confirmed, married, a nd buried from. She served on a number of committees over the years, w as active in a women's circle, the Gleaners, and tirelessly delivered lili es and poinsettias to shut-ins after services on Easter and Christmas. Bet ty's ashes and her husband's rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Bernette married Almars, Joseph Gordon 21 Jul 1950, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. Joseph was born 13 Dec 1913; died 28 Jan 1997, Edina, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA; was cremated , Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Death Record - Civil: 26 Aug 1964

Notes:

Death Record - Civil:
STRECH, JEANNE A.
Date of Birth: 09/07/1917
Place of Birth: MINNESOTA
Mother Maiden Name: JELLUM
certid# 1964-MN-026358
Date of Death: 08/26/1964
County of Death: HENNEPIN

Jeanette married Kielhack, Gustave F. Aft 1935. Gustave was born 24 Jul 1886; died 16 Jan 1950. [Group Sheet]

Jeanette married Strech, Arthur 26 Jan 1958, , , Minnesota, USA. Arthur was born 13 Jun 1893, , , Minnesota, USA; died 13 Nov 1962, , Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 9 Jan 1921
• Education - High School: Jun 1938

Notes:

Family History Researcher:
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dorothy was baptized on January 9, 19 21 at St. John's Lutheran church. Sponsors were A. R. Riveland & Miss Pea rl Jellum. Pastor William P. Drahn presided.

When going through old pictures and desk drawer contents from the family h ome, I found a small book that Dorothy had written as an English assignmen t. What follow are the contents of that book, complete with misspelling s, incorrect punctuation, etc.
"Fourteen Years" by Dorothy Heesaker. Fourteen Years (A story of My lif e) written by Dorothy Heesaker.
Dedication. I dedicate this book to my little brother, Jackie, whom I lo ve very dearly.
Preface. This book as written because of a 9B English requirement. It fo llows the life of the author from her early days to her present age of fou rteen years. An attempt to make facts as interesting as possible has be en my main ambition. The Author.

Chapter I.
Up until a recent period I have never thought anything about my ance stry. Naturally I knew of my relationship with Adam and Eve, but the thou ght of grandparents never entered my mind. I was born not long after the death of my last grandparent. On my mo ther's side I had a great grand-father who came over from Norway when he w as young. His son and on down were farmers. My father is mostly Dutc h. Grandfather died when Dad was small and a stepfather tried rather unsu ccessfully to fulfill his place. My father is still rather a "Jack of a ll trades", by the way his name is Jack, although he works as a switchm an for the Great Northern. When he was but a boy he worked in a candy fac tory. (1) Following that he delivered ice cream with a team, for Ive s. I have always envied him for that job because of the ice cream he w as given. He had the experience of being the third last one to leave a si nking ship on lake Michigan and spending three days on a raft before he lp came. He once owned a store for a short time and finally ended up in t he railroad business. Although he has not make a profession of other thin gs he is a very good "fixer". In case of emergency he can act as carpente r, painter, and electrician. Of course my little brother cannot be considered an ancestor, but I w ould like to mention him in my book. (3)

Chapter II. Early Days.
In five short years, especially when I remember almost nothing, I cannot h ope to relate many interesting adventures. I was born at the Maternity Hospital on October 8,1920. I was a ve ry good baby but my mother and father insist on saying that I have now cha nged. We have relations near Fergus Falls, Minnesota that we have visited e very year since I was born. They own a small farm on a lake which serv es as a very restful place for vacations. On one of our visits when I w as about three, I ventured into the chicken coop, entering through a sma ll hole below a gate. I suppose that I intended to roost with the chicke ns which would have been quite a novelty instead of a nap. Not long aft er that I took a stroll down the road and over the hill. Wabbling on t wo short legs was slow progress and I am sure (4) that I broke no speed re cord. I must have had the sudden ambition to explore or my mother would n ever allowed me to putter about alone. The old dog was a very faithful nur se maid and after a long absence I was found half a mile from the house wi th Brownie. My mother was very worried about me but enjoyed the comical s cene of the two inocent creatures. (5) I have been content to take things as my folks have related th em to me as my memory does not extend that far. So we shall trust to the ir knowledge for the material of this chapter. (6)

Chapter III. Grade School Days.
"She is just old enough to get under the rope," was the first quotati on that I can remember. This was followed by a jolly laugh from the elder ly principal of Rosedale. I was not quite five years old as my birthday was in the middle of t he term. My two twin sisters who are three years older than I had been te lling me of the beautiful doll house and swings that were to be had in kin dergarten. The novelty of escorting a little sister to kindergarten appea led to the older twins, but when the chance really came it was not lo ng in wearing off. I can still hear them pleading with me to hurry. Some of the little boys and girls would cry for their mothers but tow ards the end of the first half we all became accustomed to the ways and ch ildren. (7) After having out teeth inspected by the nurses it was announc ed that our grade had the best teeth in the city. As a reward we had o ur pictures taken which was to be put in the paper, and we were to sing ov er the radio. (Caption on newspaper picture reads "ROSEDALE KINDERGARTNE RS PROUD OF THEIR TEETH. A proud group of youngsters is this kindergart en class of the Rosedale school, who boast 100 percent good teeth.) OUR C LASS. (the checked one is me) (8). We were taken to the studio in ca rs that various parent offered, and during the program, I sang in a litt le quavering voice a song about a tree. Ear phones were the only devi ce of radio service and I pictured my parents at home listening to the noi se of the singer (to be.) Promotion from kindergarten meant a lot because we were to go from t he littleschool to the "big" one. My (9) first grade teacher was a very sm all woman whom I learned to like very well. In my second year I became most interested in writing and was told th at I was a good writer. In the last few years however I have gone done ex ceedingly. Of the grades to come there were no particular events which a re worth writing except my trip to California of which I will relate in t he chapter "Travels". (10) Of course graduation was celebrated by parties and other entertainmen t. (11)

Chapter IV. Junior High School Days.
I was very much afraid that I wouldn't like this "big' school. There were about three boys and one girl besides me that came to Brya nt from Rosedale. We were separated, but Betty Jeanne and I were together . It was very fortunate that I entered Bryant in time to be in the oper etta. I had a small part which I enjoyed very much. I had never be en on such a big stage before and it was a wonderful experience. I join ed the Glee Club again in 7A and had a chance to sing a song in a skit wi th Rosetta Swanson. It was called "Under The Old Umbrella." Betty Jeanne moved to another school in 7a and although I had beco me acquainted with several other children I felt rather "alone."(12) Swimming was becoming a very favorite pastime. I had looked forwa rd to the use of the pool upon entering Bryant and was delighted with my f irst impression. My favorite sport for several years had been skating, wh ich I still enjoy, but suddenly changed to swimming. I joined the Life Sa ving Club in 8B and again in 8A. Because of the long christmas vacation a nd the period of time when the school was being painted, we did not earn o ur Junior Life Saving badge in the first six weeks. We were awarded th em in 8A. I made many acquaintances in my (13) first year at Bryant. Sports h ad been the main reason for my interest in school and luckily I have be en blessed with good health. I am proud to say that I have not been abse nt or tardy once until this present year when I was absent two days. In 8b I entered the winter skating carnival races and won two first p laces. The longest race being eight hundred and eighty yard long. I w as glad I had gone. Girl Scout work has held my interest since I was ten, but now my ti me is becoming occupied with other things. I was a second class scout a nd had received several badges. (14) Our troop had changed from their regu lar place of meeting to a destiny that almost doubled the distance I had h ad to go. Very soon after that I dropped scouts completely and I have nev er rejoined them since. I did not miss them much as we soon started dan ce practices at school. Games thrilled me and I had the honor of being captain of the champio nship speed ball team. I became so involved in outside activities th at I forgot about my health. I was b ecoming a victim of a run down condi tion which became noticeable to my parents. They immediately checked the ir daughter in a rather severe way. Not long after school had started with me as a 9B, I was given the j ob of Sports Editor of the "Bryant Times". It calls for much of my outsi de work, but I enjoy doing it. Choosing two of our own subjects (15) in 9B was a novelty. I chose j unior business and typing, both of which I enjoy. They will he lp me in my commercial course. (16)

Chapter V. Hobbies.
Perhaps I am a funny girl. I had some very queer hobbies. At one time I had as many as one hundred and fifty marbles. They we re all different colors, sizes and -- of course, I can't say shapes. Th ey were round. Jackie, my little brother, has spent many happy hours scat tering them about. About fifty of them are left, but as long as he enjo ys them I am glad to give them to him. Bottled beads sound rather silly, but that was another of my hobbie s. Betty Ann, my girl friend, and I, used to gather all the old bea ds we could find. We would sort them out and put them in little glass bot tles. Some very pretty species were collected, and some of them we stru ng into necklaces. I still have them. I started to knit a rug. It is (17) very pretty as far as I have gon e, but it is only about two feet in diameter. It's fun braiding rugs, too . I began knitting a tam one summer. Marilyn and I were each doing i t. We bought many different colors of yarn and began vigorousl y. I am a great one for beginning something and leaving it unfinished. T hat's what became of the tam and rug. My interest in movie stars can never be squelched. Last summer I co llected pictures of my favorites and make a book of them. I will always k eep it. At the present time I have no particular hobby. I am absorb ed in my school work and outside activities. Swimming is my favorite spo rt and hobby,when I get the chance to swim. Half of my summer is spent (1 8) in the water. I am sure that I shall always enjoy it very much. (19)

Chapter VI. Friends.
Friends, I think, mean more to making one's life happy than any oth er thing. I consider hard a very inadequate word for me to express my tho ughts on this subject, but as a special favor to the book I will attem pt to write it. Marilyn Hockridge was my best friend from almost babyhood to the a ge of eleven. We were then separated by attending different schools whi ch slowly drew us apart. For about two years I saw practically nothi ng of her and the shock came very recently. I have never been in conta ct with anyone who has changed as much in two years as Marilyn. She had b een attracted by a group of pupils from Ramsey. She still goes with the s ame (20) crowd some of whom are much older than she. I was very much amus ed at her actions one evening when I accompanied her skating, but perha ps I have said too much and should go on. After my entrance to Bryant I became acquainted with Emma Marie Carls on who was to become my best friend. I have never been so close to any fr iend as I am to her. I think what make this hard to write is because I ha ve read both Noel Neill's and Emma Marie Carlson's chapter on friends a nd have been honored by being named as the best friend of both. Noel has s hown me many, many good time and I like her lots. I have enjoyed many ove rnight trips to her lake cottage, sometimes on picnics, other times on wei ner roasts. Her choice of career is dancing which she is already practisi ng extensively. I am not a dancer, but I am interest- (22) ed in it. H er experiences in dancing tours and other places provide thrilling enterta inment for me, the listener. Emma Marie is intirely different. She is also interested in sports b ut like myself has no particular hobby. She draws very well and expec ts to (23) work towards the art of a designer in her life's work. We ha ve spent many enjoyable hours together. Last summer I visited h er at he r lake cottage for two weeks. We had some of the best times the re then we had ever had. For two years she has been my best friend. S he is very small and dainty, quite opposite to me. On of my friends resen tly moved. I have not seen her very much since. In the chapter "Hobbie s" I mentioned Betty Kopelman's name. At the present and for the last few weeks I have given little attenti on to my friends. Noel and Emma Marie lead the list and other (24) favori tes are, Anita Johnson, Marion Eckland, Joyce Olson, and oh, many other s. (25)

Chapter VII. Travels.
Under such a heading as "Travels", my most interesting trip was to Ca lifornia. A person can of course learn very much from traveling around t he county, as far as the funds will go, but as I was only seven I do not r emember as much as if I had been older. Mother and I bravely boarded the train which was to carry us far fr om home. I had never been out of Minnesota before, but was very interest ed in going. It took us two days and three nights to reach our destinatio n. During our ride we passed Great Salt Lake which is one of my most viv id remembrances. Large piles of salt were heaped upon the shores. I se nt my sisters and father at hame a card with a picture of it and a litt le bag of salt attached to it. We rode on one (27) of the largest ferri es in the U.S. I woke up one morning only to be told that the train w as on a boat. We were traveling across to San Francisco. We got off t he train and walked to the edge of the ferry where the water could be see n. They had a restaurant and several other things on the ferry. Aft er we had eaten breakfast the shore was reached and we got off. Mother a nd I stayed in San Francisco a day and a night because of a change in t he trains. During that time, I saw one of my (28) favorite shows, "That 's My Daddy." I can't remember who starred in it. It was a little girl w ho played the part very well. All the way, I had been very careful that I should not be left behi nd by the train. It made no difference whether Mother got off, tickets a nd all, as she sometimes wanted to stretch after riding,but I would st ay on the train. I would stay on. It seemed so much safer. At one ti me the train started mooving when my mother was off. To my relief it w as only switching tracks but it had given me a scare. My mother has sisters living in Los Angeles two of which are marrie d. The were very anxious to show us a good time from our arival to the ti me of our departure. There were enough of them to keep us doing somethi ng all the time and before we had been there a week they were planni ng a (29) trip to Catalina Island. I had never been on a steamer before a nd it seemed very interesting to me. We expected to stay at Catalina f or a day or so, seeing everything while we had the chance. One of the mo st thrilling experiences on the steamer was when a flyin g fish flew rig ht into a lady's lap. I was beautifully colored with wings rather scal y. I had seen (30) them flying, but never so close. Lemon drops were so ld to everyone as they help sea-sickness. It was lucky that I liked th em as I could have all I wanted. After landing on the island we secured d arling little cottages to sleep in at night. They were very small and we re all alike. The appearance they gave was like a little city of rows. ( 31) We went swimming very often in the ocean, and also hiking or on sight s-seeing buses. I have my initials written on the chime house that rin gs over the whole island each hour. The glass bottomed boat was about t he most unusual sight I saw. We took a trip on it where we could see go ld fish, sea plants, beautiful shells and fish. I have a bag of shells (3 2) that I gathered there. When we left Catalina to return home I felt th at I had learned much that I would always remember. Our visit to California lasted seven weeks in all, which I still spe ak of as my most interesting experience. I learned to know some girls the re whom I have not forgotten, although I have forgotten their names. The g ardens and parks, (33) esculators, which I rode on very often, and many ot her things I enjoyed there. If I were promised a trip there again, for lo ve of the ocean, I would be overjoyed to accept. The train rides both wa ys also added to my memories. Short summer trips seem so insignificant compared to this, althou gh I have enjoyed many of them. Every summer since I was born our family h as visited some relations on a small farm. Last summer I spent with Emma M arie and Noel at their cottages. I know that I shall always enjoy traveli ng.

Chapter VIII. Ambitions and Future Plans.
Some people have their goals so high they will probably never reach t hem. I hope I am not like that. Swimming has always appealed to me. I love it. To be a swimming a nd gym teacher is my greatest ambition. I should love to be a profession al swimmer and diver, but one cannot pick such destinies out of the sk y. Mrs. Boylan,a much liked teacher, has helped me to decide. I consid er her a very successful woman as she is a wonderful swimmer. She knows t he requirements of my chosen profession, and I have talked it over with h er many times. My sisters are graduating this year from High School and w hen I am old enough they hope to put me through the Universit y. If it is not poss-(35)ible, I will have to wait and I am already prep aring for that. In school I have been taking a commercial course which I think is alw ays helpful in ones life. I may have to make my life's work of it, b ut I shall always love swimming and hope to have my way.

The End. (36)
I enjoyed this book of my mother's, particularly the part about mov ie stars because as an adult, she could'nt have cared less if you were a m ovie star or a waitress, she treated everyone the same. I don't rememb er her ever being the least bit star struck. I believe she even comment ed on how silly she thought all those girls were that were screaming and c rying over Frank Sinatra. She did keep many friends for many year, howeve r. At her death in 1985, she was still in frequent contact with a group c alled the Phi Debs from her high school days. She was the first of this g roup of seven women to die, and they had managed to maintain their friends hips through many years of marriage, children, a few divorces within the g roup, deaths of husbands,, good times and hard times. Vicki Moen, o ne of the Phi Debs, was as especially good friend through all those year s. Dorothy Eckerstom, Margaret Smaby, Daisie Johnston, Maxine Tuttle, a nd other friends Bid and Bud Coleman, many women from her circle in chur ch that she had known 20+ years. Mom never did work at a gym or swimmi ng instructor. She put the office skills she learned in high school to u se working for L. C. Smith, then Northwest Airlines until shortly before s on Larry was born in 1953. After a number of years at home raising a fami ly, she returned to work, first for Dayton's Department store in the gi ft wrap department where she had worked for a time many years ago, then f or the City of Bloomington as a secretary at the muncipal water plant. S he drove all of us crazy over the years writing notes in shorthand that no ne of the family could read - there are still a few recipes lost to histo ry because I can't read them! Mom loved all sorts of crafts - she knit a nd crocheted, did a number of crewel embroderies and needlepoints, and w as an excellent seamstress, making many clothes for me as a child, and sew ing for herself throughout her life. She knit sweaters for all of us kid s, and made a number of baby sweaters and blankets.
Buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Bloomington, MN.

Baptism:
St. John's Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN

Education - High School:
Central High School, Minneapolis, MN

Dorothy married Lundquist, Lyle Edgar 3 Sep 1949, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. Lyle was born 6 Aug 1919, Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, USA; died 31 Oct 1976, Bloomington, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet]

John married Neal, Dona Mae [Group Sheet]

Michael married Walker, Melanie Amelia Howe [Group Sheet]

Donald married Fountaine, Joanna Elizabeth [Group Sheet]

Lawrence married Buker, Jean Marie [Group Sheet]

David married Strandberg, Jonelle Renae [Group Sheet]

Diane married Madison, Jeffrie Leonard [Group Sheet]

Diane married LaFontaine, Randolph Albert [Group Sheet]

Cynthia married Kenyon, James Joseph [Group Sheet]

Catherine married Perry, Lawrence [Group Sheet]

Carol married Carr, John Kelly [Group Sheet]

Deana — Unknown, UnknownM. [Group Sheet]