We recently hosted a heartwarming book signing event for The Walter and Eleanor Gillen Story. Overall, it was a wonderful success! There is nothing quite like seeing a story come full circle. We loved moving from hours of research to holding the printed book. Finally, we placed signed copies into the hands of eager readers. […]
Every family has a collection of stories that shape its identity. Some are told repeatedly at holiday gatherings, while others are shared quietly between generations. These stories carry memories of triumph, hardship, migration, love, sacrifice, and everyday life. Yet as time passes, many of these valuable memories risk being forgotten. One of the most effective […]
Family traditions create opportunities for shared experiences that become lasting memories. Children often look forward to recurring events because they provide comfort, excitement, and predictability. Whether it is decorating a Christmas tree together, celebrating birthdays in a special way, or gathering for Sunday dinner, these moments become part of a family’s unique story. As children […]
For many Americans who came of age during the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, growing up in a large family was not unusual. Households with five, six, or even ten children could be found in towns, cities, and rural communities across the country. While modern families often have fewer children and more individual space, life […]
Every family carries a story that stretches beyond a single lifetime. It is a story woven from memories, traditions, struggles, victories, and values passed from one generation to the next. When four generations of a family are connected—great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children—the richness of that story becomes even more apparent. Family heritage is not simply […]
Seven months later in November 1946, Walter and Eleanor marry and rent a farm near Walter’s parents. My sisters, Irene, Cathy, Velma and Noreen were born here. Velma dies the day after her birth. When Walter’s parents pass in 1950, Walter and Eleanor (Mom and Dad) move to the farm house to help Uncle Leslie. […]
The kitchen is a busy place. Mom and dad buy bushels of tomatoes, peaches, corn, apples, and beans for canning. We all help with this big job. Mom shops for groceries at Kroger’s on Saturdays. Along with the food purchases she receives S&H Green Stamps which she can exchange for dishes. We buy boxes of […]
The kitchen table seats 11. Uncle Leslie often joins us. We have assigned seats and must eat what is on our plate. We are allocated assigned chores. We help cook and prepare vegetables. Sometimes we are asked to pick dandelion greens growing in the lawn. We set the table, clear the table, wash, and put […]
Mom and Dad buy a small restaurant they name “Eleanor’s Coffee Shop”. For a nickel the Shop’s Coffee Club members can buy coffee and get refills. Mom and one of the children make 10 loaves of bread every week for the Coffee Shop. Mom makes daily specials, pies and cakes. One of the older girls […]
Four of the girls (Irene, Cathy, Noreen and Linda) remain in the local area. After high school graduation in 1970 Ginger leaves for Minneapolis to attend airline school. She takes a job with the U. S. Navy in Arlington, Va. when Northwest Orient airlines goes on strike. In 1974, Norman enlists in the Navy, and […]
The family is deeply rooted in German values and traditions – sausage, sauerkraut, beer, cars, holiday celebrations, dancing. They share a strict work ethic and believe in a work – life balance. They are punctual. They have a dry sense of humor, are direct and modest, and avoid small talk. They are generous with gifts.
Mom’s paternal grandparents were August Gutzmer and Johanna Potratz Seeman. As a young girl in Germany Johanna fell in love with August Gutzmer. Her parents forced her to marry a more established man. John Seeman was 25 years older and had an 11-year-old son. When John died, Johanna married August Gutzmer.
