MOM’S MEMOIRS – IRENE LOUISE (NEE KUCKKAN) MUELLER
(Continued)

Mom’s Autobiography – Chapter 88 – In Book, Page 212

November 2009 – Having Fun With The “Owls”, Daily Times – Weber Takes Honor Flight, Jerry Brandt’s 73rd Birthday, Thanksgiving Day, 2009, at Deb and Glen’s Home, Matt is 21 Years Old, Birth and Baptism of Aubrey Leigh Wilson, Stephanie’s 46th Birthday, Travis Graduates from the University of Wyoming, Bridal Shower for Megan Paggi, Invitation from Jenny to Hear Boy’s Sing, The Future of the ROC

NOVEMBER 8, 2009 – HAVING FUN WITH THE “OWLS” OF ST. MARK’S

Yes, we have come to that point of joining the OWLS, the Organization ofWELS Lutheran Seniors. Some of them are “kids” I knew at St. Mark’s Parochial School. Others were “kids” we knew at Northwestern Prep and College. And, of course, others are new friends. The gatherings start with a devotion, then a business meeting, entertainment, and then all of us partake of a delicious potluck which we all contribute to. We enjoy being with all of these wonderful people. They asked Dick to be President when they had the election, but sadly, he had to decline because of his hearing not being as good as it used to be.

NOVEMBER 9, 2009 – NEWS BRIEF FROM THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES
WEBER TAKES HONOR FLIGHT

Russ Weber of Watertown participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Saturday. He was among the largest contingent of World War II veterans from across the United States to participate in the program. Weber, just shy of his 85th birthday, served in the South Pacific during World War II. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is an organization whose goal is to organize travel to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and see other highlights of the city. The one-day trip is at no cost to the veterans. The group of veterans flew out of Milwaukee and arrived back to a hero’s welcome.

(Russ, Marlene, and Kathleen Weber are our next-door neighbors. Marlene was a schoolmate of Mom Mueller’s when they attended Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota. Marlene came to our home one day and asked us to write something to Russ in appreciation for his service in the Armed Forces which would be given to him, along with other notes from relatives and friends, on his return from Washington, D.C. This is what Dick wrote to him:

10-15-09

Dear Russ,

Irene and I have never served in the Armed Forces of our country. Consequently, we are very thankful for those who did put themselves in harm’s way to preserve our liberties – especially the liberty to serve our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, openly and freely. You were one of those who served in our stead – and for that we thank you. God grant that you did not serve in vain. God grant that the freedoms you fought for will continue on until our all-knowing God brings this world to an end.

Dick and Irene

NOVEMBER 15, 2009 – JERRY BRANDT CELEBRATES HIS 73RD BIRTHDAY!

Another great birthday party at the Mueller’s to celebrate Sue’s father’s birthday. He had a beautiful, delicious, birthday cake with candle numbers 7 and 3 on top of it. Dick had made a special birthday card (with a picture of Jerry) on his computer for him.. Dick does this for all the members of our family. I dig up pictures, even baby pictures, from our albums for him to put on the cards. We have a little story to tell about that. When we first met Megan, Timmy’s girlfriend, and Holly, Matt’s girlfriend, we thought they looked alike. On both of their cards we got the pictures mixed up. Being polite, they didn’t say anything – until one of the family blurted out that it wasn’t the right picture for the girl – oh, well……….

NOVEMBER 26, 2009 – THANKSGIVING DAY AT DEBBIE AND GLEN’S

What a joy and blessing it was to be with Debbie, Glen, Nicki, Dave, Cassie, Caleb, Janice and Ken Chmielewski (Dave’s parents), their son, Joe, Mark, Jamie, Roger (Glen’s brother) and Cathy Wilson, and their children, Kaitlin and Brian. We enjoyed a fabulous feast, prepared by great cooks and bakers in the family. The Chmielewskis brought some excellent ham. Glen made a mouth-watering sweet potato casserole (even peeling the cooked sweet potatoes). Debbie and Nicki made some huge, fabulous, delicious, apple and pumpkin pies (reminds me of when I used to bake all kinds of different kinds of pies for our families, and missionaries and their families in Africa). There was so much more splendid food to eat. Glen had a T-shirt on which said, “50s and 60s Night” – “Cruisin’ With a Twist”. A blue car, which looks like a Chevy to Dick, is in the middle of the picture. Not to be outdone, Roger had a Disneyworld T-shirt on with a huge Mickey Mouse and castle on it. We have so much to be thankful for – the best being with our loving families.

NOVEMBER 28, 2009 – SEE PAGE 146 – MATT AND HOLLY’S ENGAGEMENT

DECEMBER 1, 2009 – MATT IS 21 YEARS OLD!

If our memories serve us correctly, Matt announced at his birthday celebration at his Mom and Dad’s home that he and Holly are engaged! It was exciting news, and all of us rejoiced with them. Again, all of us partook of a delicious meal and a beautifully decorated birthday cake baked by Sue. Our family at this gathering is blessed with the addition of “Addie”, Julie and Tom’s little girl, and “Tyler”, Jenny and Kevin’s little boy. Both of them are beautiful children, gifts from God.

DECEMBER 1, 2009 – BIRTH AND BAPTISM OF AUBREY LEIGH WILSON

God, on Matt’s birthday, blessed our family with another beautiful child – a precious gift from God – the daughter of Jamie and Mark Wilson. Her birth and baptism are already recorded on PAGES 146 AND 147 OF MOM’S MEMOIRS. She is Debbie and Glen’s fifth grandchild. Their four other grandchildren, Cassie and Caleb Chmielewski, and Emma and Elaina Wilson are so happy and proud of her – as well as are all the rest of our family. Aubrey is our 22nd great-grandchild.

DECEMBER 4, 2009 – OUR STEPHANIE’S 46TH BIRTHDAY

Dick made a very special birthday card for Steph. On the card is the Bible passage: James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”. I found a cute picture of her (in one of our many albums) holding her school case and dressed in her school uniform when she started school at the International School, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia (Independence came in 1964 when N.R. became Zambia). Dick put the picture of her on her card. We wish we could have been with her in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to help celebrate her 46th birthday.

DECEMBER 5. 2009 – TRAVIS HEITSCH GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

We are very proud of Travis. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a Bachelor’s Degree. He was the commencement speaker. We wish we could have been with Steph, Jeff, Sammy, Trav, and Jenna for this very joyous occasion. All of them are in our thoughts and prayers.

DECEMBER 5, 2009 – BRIDAL SHOWER FOR MEGAN PAGGI, TIMMY’S FIANCEE

A bridal shower and cookie exchange was hosted by our wonderful talented granddaughters, Jenny Poston and Julia Pasch. It was held at 405 Dewey Avenue, Watertown, Wisconsin, Jenny and Kevin’s home. Their beautiful Christmas tree was already up, and bridal gifts were all placed around it. Megan’s very attractive Mom, Mary, and Megan’s two lovely sisters, Missy (Hahm), and Molly, Sue (Jenny and Julia’s mother), Debbie (our daughter), Holly (Matt’s fiancée), Joanne Brandt and her daughter, Mary were there. I think there were also four ladies from Waupun, Wisconsin, where Tim had been pastor for many years. Everything was well planned and organized by Jenny and Julie. We had a grand time with all the games, refreshments, and cookie exchange. All of us went home with some delicious cookies (with recipes). Megan and Timmy plan, God willing, to be married on December 26, 2009.

DECEMBER 9, 2009 – AN E-MAIL INVITATION FROM JENNY TO HEAR BOYS SING

Along with the rest of Sue and Tim’s family, we received an invitation from Jenny to hear Josh and Jonah Poston sing on December 13th at the 7:45 A.M. Sunday School Worship Service at St. John’s. They will be singing three Christmas songs. Joshua’s Christmas Worship Services for school are at 9:30 A.M. on December 18th and in the 10:30 AM service on the 20th. Kevin’s class has their Worship Services on the 23rd at 9:30 A.M. and at 6:00 P.M. on the 24th. What a joy it was to receive the invitation from Jenny. Of course, if it is at all possible, we attend as many services as we can.

DECEMBER 9, 2009 – THE FUTURE OF THE ROC – “THE ROC IS A HOME” – (PLEASE REFER TO PAGES 131 AND 132 OF “MOM’S MEMOIRS”) – THE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY TIM IN AN E-MAIL TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND ALSO APPEARED IN THE DECEMBER 12TH AND 13TH, 2009, ST. MARK’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH BULLETIN