Individual Report for Albert Edward Stilwell JR.

debbie.storbeck@gmail.com

Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

Birth

Family Lore In December 1899 40 year old Albert Edward Stilwell, Sr. married 18 year old Ella G Merrill in Newaygo County. The couple moved into the home where Albert Sr. had always resided with his mother, father and his four spinster sisters.  The story is told that when the baby Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. was born, Albert Sr. did not want the baby and offered to give Ella a puppy if she would give the baby away.  The divorce paperwork for Ella and Albert, dated 26 November 1904 states that separation took place in May of 1901.

The location for the birth of Albert E Stilwell, Jr. has not been positively identified.  Family lore is that his mother Ella traveled to Chicago for his birth.  As of 11 October 2015 there are no records of his birth on Ancestry.com or Familysearch.com and a Google search has no results for Stilwell or Stillwell.

Accessed 13 October 2015.  "Michigan Births, 1867-1902." Database with images.  FamilySearch.  http://FamilySearch.org.  Citing Secretary of State.  Department of Vital Records, Lansing.

Accessed 13 October 2015.  "Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940." Database FamilySearch.  http://FamilySearch.org.  Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.

Letter From Leta Lonn Thompsonville, Michigan to Debbie Storbeck 16 June 1978; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck, 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.    Funny thing Debbie your Dads father used to visit my grandpa Stanton summers grandpa S. was a civil War Vet a cripple for yrs. shot by accident a fellow cleaning his gun.  Now they would of gotten that shot out but not then.  She (Ella) was only 18 yrs when married to grandfather Stilwell We're married in Chicago now Bud Stilwell was born in Chicago.

Letter from Arlene Isaacson to Debbie Storbeck.30 April 2008; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck.  My Grandfather Stilwell did not want children.  He begged My Grandma to put my Dad up for adoption.  He told her he'd get her a nice puppy!  As far as I have heard my Dad never met any of the Stilwell family.  They were bitter enemies from what Grandma Merrill (Edith) said.  I don't know what the circumstances were that my Grandma went to Illinois for the birth.

State of Michigan.  The Circuit Court for the County of Benzie, In Chancery.  Divorce Records of Ella Stilwell and Albert Stilwell 14 April 1905.  Copy held by Deborah Storbeck 2015.   Ella Stilwell, Complainant, -VS- Albert Stilwell Defendant.  Depositions and proofs taken on the part of Complainant in the above entitled cause, by and before me, John W. Wilson, the Circuit Court Commissioner, in and for said Benzie County, at the office of M.G. Paul, in the village of Thompsonville, Michigan, on the 14th day of April 1905.  M.G. Paul, appeared for Complainant.  Defendant did not appear.  Della Merrill, a witness produced, sworn and examined on the part of the complainant, testified as follows: -  I am sister of complainant, I know defendant, I know they were married on the 14th day of December 1899 at my father's in Newaygo County in this state,- they have lived continuously in this state since marriage.

Letter (Certified) from Laurel J Breuker,  Newaygo County Clerk 1087 East Newell Street, White Cloud, Michigan to Debbie Storbeck 23 November 1998; held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Albert Edward Stilwell with Mother Ella Merrill-Stilwell and Albert (right) with Cousin Lynn Bowman.

From the collection of Nancy Stilwell 22 March 2016

CENSUS 

1910 US Census Benzie County, Michigan.  Population Schedule, Colfax Township, Enumeration District (ED) 4, Sheet 1-B, Date 23 April 1910, Dwelling 17, Family 17 James H Morrill (Merrill).  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 27 June 2014), citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication Roll: T624_637.  Line 75 (Morrill) James H Merrill Head, Male, White, Age 65, Married for 42 years, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth New York, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Language English, Occupation Car Repair, Industry Railroad, Can Read and Write.  Line 76 (Morrill) Edith Merrill, Wife, Female, White, Age 58, Married for 42 Years, Mother of 5 Children, 4 Living, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth New York, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Language English, Can Read and Write. Line 77 (Morrrill) Della Merrill, Daughter, Female, White, Age 28, Single, Place of Birth Michigan, Mother's Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth Michigan, Language English, Occupation Laborer, Industry Ice Factory, Can Read and Write.  Line 78 Stillwell, Albert, Grandson, Male, White, Age 8, Single, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth Michigan, Mother's Place of Birth Michigan, Language English, Can Read and Write, In School.

1920 US Census Benzie, Michigan Population Schedule Michigan Avenue, Colfax Township, Enumeration District (ED) 4, Page 1A, Date January 2, 1920, Dwelling 8, Family 8, James H Merrill.  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 27 June 2014) citing National Archives and Records and Administration microfilm publication Roll:  T625_756.  James H. Merrill, Age 75, Head, Male, White, Married, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Michigan, Father Place of Birth Vermont, Mother Place of Birth Vermont, Car Repair Steam Railroad.  Edith Merrill, Wife, Age 68, Female, White Married, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Michigan, Father Place of Birth New York, Mother Place of Birth New York.  Albert Stilwell, Grandson, Age 18, Male, White, Single, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Illinois, Father Place of Birth Michigan, Mother Place of Birth Michigan, Laborer-Freight House.

CITY DIRECTORY

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1924", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for Albert E Stilwell and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 53 Oak, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1924, page number 417, column 2.

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1926", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for A Albert E Stilwell and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 355 Yuba, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1926, page number 449, column 1.

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1928", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for A Albert E Stilwell, machinist, and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 355 Yuba, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1928, page number  422 column 1.

Mother's Death

The Newaygo Republican (I presume)

Entered into Eternal Rest Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1916                      

Word has been received here of the death in Thompsonville, Michigan, of Mrs. John Curtis, who was known here as Miss Ella Merrill.  She was born near Big Rapids August 28, 1881, and when a small child her parents moved to White Cloud and a few years later to Newaygo, where her father, James H. Merrill, was foreman on one of the sections on the P. M.  She was a pupil in the local high school, but left before completing the 12th grade.  About 15 years ago she went to live with her parents who had moved to Thompsonville.  She took a course in Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, and one term in Ypsilanti State Normal and taught school for twelve years near Thompsonville.  She was married about five years ago to John Curtis, a prominent farmer living near Thompsonville.  She died November 1, 1916, in the hospital in Thompsonville and the funeral services were held in the Methodist church of that place November 3, six of her brother-in-laws acting as pallbearers.  The floral offerings were many and served to show the esteem in which she was held in the community in which she lived.  She was a teacher in the Wallin M. E. Sunday school and a worker in that church.  She leaves a husband, one son, Albert E. Stilwell, and many other near relatives and friends to mourn her loss.

Those attending from Newaygo were Mr. & Mrs. A.F. Bowman and daughter Lilia, Mrs. Noble McKinley, Leon Bowman and Mrs. Eleanor Hall. 

The Benzie Banner, Beulah, MI Thursday, 9 November 1916 Page 1 column 2

Mrs. John Curtis passed away last Wednesday evening in Thompsonville where she had been taken some days previous, to be operated on for tumor.  Deceased was thirty five years of age, and leaves a husband and son by a former marriage, her aged father and mother, one brother and two sisters to mourn their loss.  The funeral was at the M.E. Church at Thompsonville Friday afternoon and burial in the cemetery there.  The beautiful and large amount of flowers showed the esteem in which she was held by friends there and here.  Sincere sympathy is extended to all sorrowing ones. 

Benzie Banner Newspaper, 14 December 1916, Page 1, Column 2.  Benzie Shores District Library, (http://www.archive.com/benzie/search) accessed on-line 02 February 2015.

Probate Court Notes, In the matter of Albert Stilwell, minor of Colfax, John C. Curtis appointed administrator.  

Left Elmer Otto, Right Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

Center Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

The James Merrill home on Brooklyn in Thompsonville Michigan.  On front porch, Edith Merrill, grandmother of Albert E Stilwell, Jr. her daughter Della Hamilton, twin sister to Albert's mother Ella and Della's son, John Hamilton, cousin of Albert E Stilwell, Jr.

LETTER

Letter from Leta Stanton, Interlochen to Albert E Stilwell JR (Bud), 17 October 1922; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Note: one month before marriage.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

State of Michigan Certified Marriage Certificate (copy issued 5 October 1999 by Carol V Getts, State Register) for Albert E Stillwell and Leta M Stanton held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck.  Groom Albert E Stillwell, Age 21, Not Previously Married, Residence Thompsonville,, Michigan, Birthplace Illinois, Father A.E. Stillwell, Mother Ella Merrill, Witness Warren Stanton.  Bride Leta M. Stanton, Age 21, Not Previously Married, Residence Interlochen, Michigan, Birthplace Nebraska, Father David Stanton, Mother Minnie Mayer, Witness Lillie Stanton.  Date of Marriage November 1, 1922, Place of Marriage Grand Traverse County, Michigan (filed in Benzie County) Clergyman C.N. Babcock, County Clerk Newton W Ely, Filed 6 January 1923. 

Leta Maude Stanton about 1922 Collection Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Leta M Stanton-Stilwell and Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Leta M Stanton-Stilwell and Albert E Stilwell Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2013 Albert E Stilwell, Jr. "Bud" with a 1915-1922 Ford Touring Car Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Albert E Stilwell, Jr. "Bud", about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016. CHILDREN Roger Keith Stilwell Date of Birth November 15, 1928 Date of Death November 04, 1997 Burial Flint Memorial Park Flint, Michigan Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Arlene Leta Stilwell Date of Birth 03 April 1924 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016

Yevone Alberta Stilwell
Date of Birth 16 June 1926
Date of Death 30 June 1926
Burial White Cloud Cemetery,
White Cloud, Michigan

DEATH CERTIFICATE

Michigan Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death.  Certified by Carol V. Getts, State Registrar, 06 July 2000.  Held by Deborah J. Storbeck 25 February 2015.

BACK

CEMETERY

Accessed on-line at findagrave.com 23 March 2016
Thompsonville Cemetery, Thompsonville, Michigan 

Obituary

                                                                                                              

Obituary for Albert E. Stilwell, Jr.  "BUD"  Written by his granddaughter, Deborah J. Stilwell-Storbeck, Monday, October 12, 2015.

Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. who was called BUD by all who knew him, died on December 6, 1929 at the home of his maternal grandparents, James H. and Edith Merrill who lived on Brooklyn Avenue in Thompsonville, Michigan.  Mr. Stilwell lived in Muskegon until he fell ill one month ago.  In Muskegon he was employed by The Contenintial Motor Company.

BUD was born April 21, 1901.  His father was Albert E. Stilwell Sr. of Newaygo. Bud's mother was Ella Merrill who died in 1916.  On November 1, 1922 Bud married Leta Stanton of Bendon.  They have 2 young children, Arlene L Stilwell and Roger K Stilwell, a daughter, Yevone A Stilwell died two weeks after her birth.

Services will be held on December 9, 1929 and burial will be in the Thompsonville cemetery.

Pedigree Chart for Leta Maude Stanton

This Pedigree Chart for Leta Maude Stanton shows 4 generations of her ancestors.  I have additional generations on some of the lines.  

My Grandmother, Leta Maude Stanton

Leta Maude Stanton-Stilwell-Lonn

March 30, 1901 to January 29,1982

debbie.storbeck@gmail.com

My Grandma Lonn was born Leta Maude Stanton in York County, Nebraska in 1901. She said being born in 1901 always made it easy to remember how old she was.  Her parents were 26 year old David Stanton and 21 year old Minnie Moyer.

Minnie Moyer and David Stanton
Nebraska 1900

In a letter dated June 16, 1978, Leta said, “I think being born in March in State of Nebraska was quite something for me.  Mother had 2 other children born in Nebraska.  They didn’t live long.  I was first and made it to Michigan in a covered-wagon.  We wer'e 7 wks coming.  My father drove a span of mules.  They wer'e 3 and 4 yrs old.  Some Highway men tried to steal them from us one night Grandpa and Uncle Ed Moyer stayed under the wagon with their guns.  I can remember our first snow I got up came to the door, there was mother standing in snow baking pan cakes on a laundry stove.  I imagine that was Mothers stove for awhile.”  The two children who were born and died in Nebraska were Nellie in 1903 and Charles in 1904. David and Minnie and their entourage came to Benzie County, Michigan between 1904 and 1907.

The Overland Route from Nebraska to southwest Michigan, likely followed by David Stanton Family.

Lilly Stanton was born in Michigan in 1907, son Burzell was born in 1908 and died in 1909.  In 1910 David & Minnie and daughters, Leta and Lillie, who later changed her name to Lillian, live on a farm that they have a mortgage on in Ireland Township, Benzie County, Michigan.  The family is living next door to David’s brother Isaac Stanton and his family.  In a letter dated June 10, 1965 Leta tells of her school days, “I started to school when I was 7 yrs. 4 mo. Old and was just 15 yrs. 2 mo. when I got through school.  Wasn't any high school where I attended school.  When I first started to school we lived on a farm near Bendon  I attended Bendon school and walked 1 1/2 miles a day.  Wasn't any cars or buses then, I wore leggins above the knees that had to be buttoned all the way.  Leggins we're black so was the buttons.  Then we wore a cloth like over-shoes that buckled up.  This was in winter.” 

The David Stanton Family.  L- R, David Stanton, Leta Stanton, Lillie Stanton, Minnie Moyer with Flossie  Moyer

In 1920 when Leta was 18 years old, David and Minnie Stanton were living in a mortgaged farm in Colfax Township, Benzie County, Michigan.  There were 4 children, Leta, Lillie, Flossie who was born in 1913, and who changed her name to Florence, and Harold, born in 1915.  Hard times were upon the family and David Stanton was living in a lumber camp in Haight Township, Ontonagon County, in Michigan’s northern peninsula.  In Colfax Township Minnie and the children were living next door to extended family, Henry & Goldie Dinger, whose son, Calvin was married to David’s sister Rosa, and Jerry and Ettie Timlick whose daughter Lulu would marry Warren Stanton, nephew of David.

On November 1 in 1922 Leta Maude Stanton and Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. “Bud” were married in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, by Clergyman C.N.Babcock of the Bendon Methodist Episcopal Church.  Witness at the ceremony were Warren Stanton, Leta’s first cousin and Leta’s sister Lillie Stanton.  

Albert Edward Stilwell "BUD"

Leta Maude Stanton 

Leta and Albert "Bud" Stilwell, about 1922

According to the Muskegon, Michigan City Directories for 1924, 1926 and 1928 Leta and Bud Stilwell were living and working in the city of Muskegon.  Bud worked as a machinist at Continental Motors.  I remember Grandma saying that when she lived in Muskegon she sewed buttons on underwear.  She was likely employed by The Amazon Knitting Company that produced cotton underwear, gloves, hosiery, hooked rugs, and army shirts.

On April 3, 1924, a daughter, Arlene Leta Stilwell was born to Bud and Leta.  Yevone Alberta Stilwell was born on June 16, 1926; she died 2 weeks later on June 30^th.  Yevone is buried next to her great uncle, James H Merrill Jr., in the White Cloud Cemetery, White Cloud, Michigan.  On November 15, 1928, a son Roger Keith Stilwell was born. 

The death of little Yevone was the beginning of a period of grief and sorrow for Leta and Albert.  In September 1929 Bud was diagnosed with cancer of tongue and mouth, he died on December 6 at the home of his Grandparents James and Edith Merrill.

Leta and her 5-year-old daughter Arlene, and her one year old son Roger moved into the home of James and Edith Merrill in the Beecher Platt of Thompsonville, Michigan.  In a letter written on April 30, 2008 Arlene says, “G-Pa & G-Ma Merrill were great to help relatives.  They about raised my Dad—then took your Dad (Roger), Me and our Mother in during my Dad’s bout with cancer and after.”

Arlene Stilwell-Isaacson told me that Benzie County gave her mother a widow’s pension after Albert’s death, but “busy bodies” complained that James Merrill was receiving a veteran’s pension and that Leta should not receive county aid.

James and Edith Merrill

The Merrill Home in the Beecher Platt in Thompsonville,     Michigan,Edith Merrill, Della Merrill Hamilton, John Hamilton    
abt 1923.

    

The 1930 U.S. census shows Leta Stilwell, Arlene and Roger living with James and Edith Merrill.  The home, in the Beecher Platt, Thompsonville is owned by James Merrill and valued at $500.  Leta cared for Edith in 1932 and 1933.  Edith died December 1933 of cancer.  

Leta Stanton-Stilwell-Lonn and Yalmer Lonn 1945

In St. Joseph, County, Indiana on October 3, 1934 Leta married Yalmer Isaac Lonn, an immigrant from Finland and WWI veteran.  Leta and Yalmer lived in the Merrill home. The first child born to Leta and Yalmer was Helen Beverly Lonn born January 1935.  

In 1936 Leta and Yalmer bought “The Farm” and the family moved. The description in Benzie Banner on July 31, 1958 said it was an “80 acre farm, 5 room house cinder block, basement, barn, 50 ft. x 36 ft . . . . 120 acre farm level, mostly cleared, good for tree planting.  The directions from Thompsonville to the farm were “4 miles north, 1 mile west and 1 mile south.” That is 4 miles north to Wallin Road, turn left (west) and go 1 mile to Haze Road, turn left (south) and go 1 mile to Landis Road. 

At “The Farm” Victor Elmer Lonn was born in June 1937, John Robert Lonn was born in January 1939 and David Wesley was born in June 1945.  According to John Lonn, during their time on “The Farm” the family raised cash crops of beans, corn, cucumbers, and potatoes.  They began their farming with 2 horses and later bought a John Deere tractor.  One year they raised 200 turkeys.  They milked 14 milk cows every day, selling the milk the family did not need.  For family use they also raised pigs and chickens.  There was a root cellar for keeping meat, milk and produce for the large family.  John and Victor went to town for 50 pounds of ice about every three weeks.  They put the ice in the cellar on some boards covered with burlap, then covered the ice with burlap, put the meat on, covered it with some sort of vinyl then more burlap.  Later someone gave the family an ice box, but the trips for ice continued to keep it chilled. 

The Lonn Farm

The farm never had indoor plumbing or electricity.  Leta wanted a corner cupboard for storage on the farm and one Easter week son-in-law Rudy Isaacson built it for her.  When he finished Leta had a cupboard in the corner, not a corner cupboard.  Nothing was ever said and that cupboard made the trip to the Beecher Plat when the Lonn’s moved back into town in 1958 and is probably still sitting in the house.  During the farm years Leta sewed her sons’ overalls and flannel shirts using the Singer Treadle Sewing machine that originally belonged to Edith Merrill.  Leta gave the machine to Arlene Stilwell-Isaacson who gave it to Debbie Stilwell-Storbeck in 1976.  My dad, Roger, used to say his Mom could go to bed with a ball of yarn and wake up in the morning with a finished pair of socks.  Leta’s daughters Arlene and Helen became proficient dressmakers, winning 4-H awards.

The Stilwell and Lonn children always joke about walking 4 miles uphill to get to the school bus and 4 miles uphill to get back home.  The walk to county road 669 and Wallin Road was actually 2 miles.  Once during the 1940’s there was a snow storm and hay for the animals had been ordered and paid for.  The county sent a V plow normally used to clear the railroad tracks, pushed by 5 trucks through the 7-8 foot drifts; the plow broke a mile from the house and that is where the hay was dumped.  The boys had to haul it from there.

L-R Roger Stilwell, Victor, Helen and John Lonn

 According to an ad placed in the Benzie Record newspaper on October 6, 1955 Leta and Yalmer tried to sell the Merrill home and property, “For Sale—House with 8 lots in Thompsonville.  $1500 cash.  Yalmer Lonn, 4 miles north, mile west and mile south of Thompsonville.”  Then in 1958 there is an ad placed in the Benzie Record newspaper on July 31,  “For Sale—80 acre farm, 5 room house cinder block, basement, barn, 50 ft x 36 ft. $3000.  120 acre farm level, mostly cleared, good for tree planting.  $3000.  Yalmer Lonn, Thompsonville.” ( Benzie Record newspaper, 6 October 1955, page 10, column 4.)

 Leta and Yalmer moved back into the old Merrill home in Thompsonville in 1958.  In 1947 or 1948 the house had been covered with asbestos siding and the attached shed was torn down.  Before the move John Lonn and wife Mary tore out the wall between the second bedroom and the living room making the living room the width of the of the house.  The rest of the house was one bedroom and the kitchen/dining room.  The space that was to become the “indoor plumbing” was a pantry.  Burt Lemley and Dick Lafever wired the house for electricity, going into the attic through the front window, or maybe a hole in the ceiling in the bedroom.   Son-in-law Rudy Isaacson, a plumber, turned the pantry into a small bathroom that included a tub.  Victor Lonn and crew dug the septic and John Lonn dug the drain field.  The water was also brought into the house at this time.  Leta and Yalmer brought the fuel oil space heater they had been using on the farm.  Later a floor furnace from Don and Melva Swisher’s was added.  (Don and Melva were in-laws of John Lonn)  Eventually that furnace was replaced.  The house got a new roof.  In 1959 John Lonn and his wife Mary Swisher Lonn built a home across the street.

My Grandma' kitchen furnishings looked like these.

I remember when my sisters, brother and I walked from our maternal grandparent’s home to the Thompsonville post office we were told to walk uptown for the mail.  When walking from Grandma Lonn’s we walked downtown.  Our family spent many weekends and holidays in Thompsonville and my sisters, brother and I spent summers freely wandering from one set of grandparents to the other.  I remember Grandma Lonn’s pancakes, her brown sugar syrup and tall glasses of cold milk. There was always a contest to see who could eat the most.  Sometimes other cousins and uncles would be around to join in the challenge.

 The recipes are: 

Grandma Lonn’s Pancakes                             Brown Sugar Syrup

1 egg                                                                    2 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour                                                           1 cup water

1 to 1 ½ cup milk*                                              Boil good, don’t burn.

1 teaspoon baking soda

*Butter milk or sour milk or sweet milk with 2 teaspoons of baking soda.

Grandma and Grandpa had Sunday dinners.  My sister Beverly remembers once Grandma chopped the head off the chicken and hung it on the clothesline then plucked it. The chickens likely came from her neighbor, Belle Kessler.  Belle was scary, she dressed old fashioned, and always had a broom in her hand, leading us to believe she was a witch.  The Sunday family dinners were fried chicken, heaps of mashed potatoes with smooth creamy gravy, a necessary vegetable and pies for desert.  I liked Grandma’s venison mince pie best.  It was crowded when we all gathered around the big dining table.

When we were young Grandma Lonn made a lot of dresses for Beverly, Leta and me, and sometimes Roberta too.  The dresses were always exactly alike or the same pattern in different colors. 

Left photo L-R Deborah, Leta and Beverly Stilwell Christmas 1961.

Matching dresses made by grandma.

Right photo Deborah Stilwell

Dress made by Grandma.

Grandma crocheted a lot of fancy potholders.  I have one that she gave me for high school graduation.  Grandma taught Beverly and me to crochet and to knit. 

Pot Holders made and given to Beverly Stilwelll
and the sugar bowl from Grandma's table

The last time I saw Grandma was Christmas-time 1980 when Mike and I visited her at the Maples Nursing Home in Frankfort.  We took our 6 week old daughter, Sarah Jean Storbeck with us.