Milo came home soon after I was back in the plant. He made a quick trip to California and then returned to Sheldon because he had met Nurse Hazel Kreykes a year earlier and didn’t want to lose this gal who had just been discharged from the Army.

We worked together for a short time. Milo had a little money saved. He offered to buy 50% interest in the plant. The building was mine and I received rent above splitting the profits - a nice arrangement.

To say that I was content with my role in life would be inaccurate. I became restless and wanted to move to the West Coast. I took every opportunity to go fishing, to attend cleaning conventions, and to take trips anywhere just to keep moving. Milo was very tolerant and we never had any disagreements.

In April 1947 we had a snow storm, but before I relate that experience I must tell you that Nelina became eager to have another baby. This time we were wiser and knew early in 1947 that Nelina was pregnant. All babies born around that time are now called “Baby Boomers.” Some 15,000,000 returning servicemen soon married and began raising families. Now, 50 years later, this age group is still known by that identification. I was content with one child but Nelina wanted a larger family.

Now back to the Snow Storm. When April flowers should have been blooming I couldn’t even get the car out of the garage. Even if I could have, all the streets were closed. I had to walk to the shop to put coal in the stoker. The walk to the shop is only about half a mile but it took a considerable amount of time to tread through high banks of snow. There was not one person on the streets that morning. I completed my task of filling the coal hopper and headed back to the house. Upon opening the door, the first thing I said was, “As soon as I can get out of Sheldon I’m going to look for a place on the West Coast.” Nelina knew that the time had arrived so she gave her blessing. But her pregnancy meant that she should remain at home while I went ahead and scouted around to find a place to live.

Disheartened, we headed straight back over the 1,800 miles to Sheldon. (The reason I am making such a big deal out of this part of my journey through life will become clear later on.)

Meanwhile, back home John began showing signs that he was more than ready for a move. I didn’t want to lose this momentum so we planned a second trip three weeks later. This time we would start in Northern California and make our way to the Pacific Coast. This time my brother, David, decided he would accompany us.

The first city the three of us looked over was Santa Rosa which was a pretty city. Some houses were acceptable but the weather was sweltering and we soon decided it was not for us. Next day we headed south. The Bay Area was too busy. In San Jose we stopped for gasoline (remember when attendants filled your tank at 12 cents a gallon?) And again complained about the uncomfortably hot weather. Our attendant told us to take Highway 17 to Highway 1 along the coast.

As we were traveling along, we suddenly saw a large white church with a high steeple. We crossed a river and saw a quiet little village. This sign read, “Welcome to Santa Cruz. Population 14,000 (more or less).” My brother-in-Law, Jack Duimstra, had spent a weekend in Santa Cruz during World War II. He told us, before we left Iowa, that he was very impressed by Santa Cruz and asked us to check it out. We suddenly realized that the temperature was quite comfortable.

Before we entered the city, David began to boast about what a great bowler he was. So, the first thing we did in Santa Cruz was to find a bowling alley.

As we were returning to the car a young lady greeted us. She had noticed our Iowa license plates which identified our residence as being in O’brien County. This young lady was Bea Bilsland. I knew her brothers very well. They lived just a couple of miles from our farm south of Sheldon. We told Bea that we were looking for a place in Northern California to move our family from Iowa. She told us, “Santa Cruz is a good place. You cannot find anything better.”

She told me that they had planned on buying a house and had searched over the entire area. They found a good house but decided that day not to buy it. She took us out to Opal Cliff and showed us the house. The neighbor lady, Phyllis Hill, said the owners would be there the next day. Two Swedish carpenters had built the house for speculation. It was a small, two-bedroom house with a single garage. Nelina was in Sheldon, so there was no discussion as to location, schools, and other important factors one needs to know when buying a house. When the Swedes showed up the next day we agreed on the price: $8,500.

Nelina and I, half a century later, are satisfied that it was all “Divine Intervention.” Most of the time you cannot see it when it is taking place. Only years later does it all become very clear. “The Lord moves in mysterious ways....”

We closed the house deal on a Saturday in May 1947, close to Memorial Day. We slept on the floor of our new house that night. Before Bea Bilsland Carlson left we asked about a church in which to worship the next day. She said she always went to a small Baptist Church on Seventh Avenue. The word “Baptist” frightens Iowans because it involves a lot of water. However, Nelina’s father said he often attended a Baptist Church when he lived in Washington and he was willing to worship there.

So on Sunday morning, we went to a small brown church on East Cliff and Seventh Avenue. A new church was being erected next to the present church. The pastor, Roy Kraft, was a man about my age. That morning he directed the message to the young people who were graduating. He likened this new phase in their lives to a ship heading out to sea.

“Every ship needs a captain (Jesus Christ); a ship needs charts to tell you the course (the Bible); and finally, a ship needs communication (Prayer).”

I had spent nearly eight years on ships, so I could relate to the message. Here was gospel with an analogy that spoke to my heart. It was a challenge for all who heard the message to take action. I forgot the clock as I listened to the speaker. Wow! What a message. Now more than 50 years later I can still recall the main points of that sermon.

John Hoevens looked around for some property but did not buy anything on that first trip to Santa Cruz. He headed back with us to Sheldon with no firm commitments to purchase or build a home. He finally told us, “I’ll stay in Sheldon.” But this decision was not set in concrete. Eventually Grandpa and Grandma Hoevens wound up across the street from us on Opal Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.

We determined to stay in Iowa until Nelina delivered our second baby due in five months. We put our Iowa house on the market but had few lookers. John said he would go west with us if he sold all three of his houses to one buyer. This happened the week before we left for California. Our house sold very soon after Bradley Bruce was born on September 22, 1947.

A friend of ours agreed to take our furniture to California in his cattle truck. The price was very reasonable, so we made a deal with the trucker for the trip west.

Another friend, Bud Daniels, came into the office and said he was a carpenter and wanted to ride to California in the cattle truck. I told him we intended to build a house at once, the look around for the possibilities of getting back into the dry cleaning business.

My brother David decided to come with us and help Nelina’s father with the driving. John was 64 years old and never had been a good driver, so Dave’s help was welcomed.

The trip out was uneventful. We celebrated Nelina’s 29th birthday anniversary in Rock Springs, Wyoming. After dinner we went to a movie. Nelina’s folks took care of the children, as usual.

This would be a good time to remind my readers about our lack of problems with baby sitters. During the first quarter century of married life we spent fewer than fiver dollars for babysitters. The reason was that Grandma and Grandpa Hoevens did this job for us. We spent a lot more to get help in taking care of our grandchildren than of our own sons. This arrangement with the Hoevens was wonderful for us and for our sons. Grandma Hoevens came over nearly every day to help Nelina with work around the house. I have referred to this amazing lady before, but I cannot say it too many times: Grandma Hoevens was one of a kind.

When we drove into Santa Cruz and out to Opal Cliffs, Nelina didn’t seem to impressed. She never made any secret of the fact that she missed Sheldon, our friends, and members of the Bogaard family left behind in The Hawkeye State. After all, Nelina sang in the church choir back in Iowa and had a host of friends there, many that she went to school with. During that first year in California she shed a few tears, even though her parents were there with us in The Golden State.

About three days after our arrival we bought a lot for $1,260.00 on Opal Cliff Drive. Plans were drawn less than a week by a young chap named Bill Burr. This was the first of many hundreds of homes Bill did for us in the following years.

We made a loose agreement with Bud Daniels that after the first house was built we would sell it and split the profits. We both drew $50 a week for living expenses. I had about $12,000 when we arrived. Bud Daniels had $21.

After the house was framed there was no carpenter work to be done on the house for several weeks, inasmuch as the roofing, masonry, and other specialty work was done by other craftsmen. Bud looked around for other work but construction is very slow during the winter months in Santa Cruz. It was decided that I would buy him a railroad ticket back to Sheldon. When the house sold I would send him his share of the profit. I had to hire carpenters to finish the job. The house sold the first of May and there was $3,200 in profits to split between us. He was very surprised when he received his share and went out immediately to buy his first new car.

My parents came to Santa Cruz for a visit and decided to stay, so I built a house for them. We bought a lot on the cliff about three blocks from them and stayed in this house for about 32 years.

Nelina’s father didn’t like the little house in the Pleasure Point area so he bought a lot across the street from us on Opal Cliff Drive. His new house had plenty of room to “mess around” in a double garage.

In the summer of 1949 we made a trip back to Iowa. When we returned to Santa Cruz, Nelina said, “I’m happy we are in California.” She was no longer homesick.

We had been attending a Bible study in Roy Kraft’s home. There we met many couples who became our friends for the following 50 years. Roy and Jeanette frequently came to our house with their three sons. They and our three sons grew up together.

After we moved from Iowa, and began attending Twin Lakes Church, Roy and his wife Jeanette became good friends of Nelina and me. We made many trips in our plane together. In 1957 we traveled around the world and visited various missionaries and their work.

I can say without hesitation that these two people had a great impact on our lives. We’ve had disagreements but the Lord used them to accomplish a work in our lives that we may not have experienced in any other way. Yes, we are deeply indebted to the Krafts.

After considerable doubts about the question of baptism, we finally decided that if Twin Lakes Baptist Church was going to be our church then we would be baptized. We have never had any regrets. The church services contributed to the spiritual growth of our entire family.

When we look back, we think of the many people who gave us help, understanding and courage. We did not recognized this fully until many years later. If I have on regret it is that I can’t say a word of thanks to many friends because they have left this planet.

My brother David, who lived on the farm with Richard, soon returned to Santa Cruz where he started working for Bogard Construction. He remained for sixteen years. As David looked to the future, he could see our three sons coming into the business. He decided he would be better off starting his own construction company. David built a very successful company, and was later joined by our brother-in-law, Roger Gintert.

After building many “spec” houses in the Opal Cliff area we were invited to build a home for Ray Tucker in Santa Cruz. Louis Rittenhouse had purchase acreage from the C.C. Moore Estate in 1942 at a very low price. This was during the war. Many people still feared the Japanese would be landing on the beaches here in Santa Cruz. The property had two large homes, a small golf course, horse barns, and pools. Ray Tucker showed us his lot and we were quite impressed by the area.

My brother-in-law, Roger Gintert, and my sister Norma were looking for a site to build their home. They chose a lot on the creek. We became acquainted with Louie and made arrangements to build on all the remaining lots, including those on the west side of Highland Avenue which were not yet developed.

When we had about five lots left, Fenner Angell took me to the Westlake Pond. Here we saw beautiful acreage with a three-acre lake. The owner had a wire cage with peacocks in it. Fenner gave us the owner’s address in Los Angeles. I flew to Los Angeles and was successful in obtaining this new parcel of land to develop. We now had 80 more lots to build on.

The cost for a lot with improvements in place was approximately $2,100. These were the “happy days” in construction. Building permits were $50 per house. I’m told that a comparable house permit now would cost more than $35,000. Most of the houses sold for $22,500 with lots included. We were happy to make two or three thousand dollars per house. Yes, this was a very enjoyable, yet profitable, time to build houses for many clients who were please with the finished product.

After studying the problems involved, we decided to give it to the city with the stipulation that they maintain it as a park. They informed me that there was no money in the budget to take on any more parks. Some time later they told us they would take the park, but I would have to remove the condition of perpetual maintenance. I felt some loyalty to the many families for whom we had built houses and with whom we had become well acquainted. So, I decided to give it to the city. They gave us $5,000 to put a curb around the Park. Today as we watch youngsters fishing and playing there, we are very happy that the city owns it. They are doing an acceptable job to maintain it (not great, but acceptable).

After completing 80 lots near the Westlake Pond we bought a parcel of land from Mr. Sundean. Lots were now selling for $3,000 each. He valued the six lots overlooking the Monterey Bay at $5,000 each. We bought all of the lots except the view lots. I didn’t think any lot was worth $5,000. My son bought the last remaining view lot 20 years later for $140,000. Today it is valued at more than $400,000.

At about this time, Vic Jr. joined our team and worked with the finishing crew. We built some commercial buildings to keep as an investment. These include Medical Plaza, Bermuda Apartments, warehouses, and other buildings that sort of supplement our Social Security checks today.

I don’t want readers to think that we never had any developments that were not profitable. I was invited to join a partnership in a development called Carbonera Estate. This was started during a down turn in the economy and cost us about $250,000. I was happy to get out of the arrangement.

As a family, we did the usual things - picnics, camping, trips to San Francisco and to the National Parks. Whenever Nelina and I would go on trips by ourselves, Nelina’s mother and father would move in and take care of the boys.

At this time, I am pleased to say that our three sons never caused us any concern. We never had to go to the police to get them out of trouble. They had no major accidents or other troublesome problems to work out. I’m certain there were incidents which we never heard about that would have brought sorrow if we had known. The boys always attended church and Sunday school. I can’t remember a time when anyone of them said on Sunday, “I don’t want to go to Church today.” They knew this was not an optional choice. Sunday was a day for worship.

Louie had several acres of land around his home. He subdivided one portion and we bought a lot to build a spec house. He told us to pay him when we sold the house. This same arrangement was made for many, many homes in the next five years. His asking price was very fair. There was never any arbitration about price. Louis was a very wise man. I valued his counsel highly.

In 1998, I went to visit Louis for the last time. He was then in his eighties and suffering from terminal cancer. I took with me a mutual old friend, Kermit McGranahan who was also very ill. They enjoyed recalling mutual interests and shared school day memories. Both men died a few weeks later.

After completing nine subdivisions on the west side of Santa Cruz, we joined Kerm McGranahan on a joint venture in Scott’s Valley. We made some money on this project but were so captivated with commercial work we started bidding for work with the University of California in Santa Cruz.

Our first large job was erecting the building for “Applied Science.” This was a great challenge, inasmuch as some of the work was different from what we had ever constructed. We put together our “Dream Team” with Vic Jr. serving as superintendent. The job took nearly two years to complete, with 104 piers in the rock and dirt. Some piers went down more than a hundred feet. We had to dig through many caves. All excess concrete was an “extra,” with a good margin for profit. The job proved to be highly profitable and we were now in a different category of construction, although we completed about 500 houses and enjoyed subdividing very much. We even named a few streets in the subdivisions after cities. Iowa such as “Sheldon,” Archer,” and “Iowa”.

Bogard Construction built may schools, strip malls, and more than 30 Long’s Drug Stores. We also erected many buildings for Albertson’s Lucky and Safeway supermarkets throughout Central California.

Bradley, our second son, worked in construction during the summers. His last year in high school he helped build a pharmacy. I believe this is when he decided to go to the University of the Pacific and study pharmacy. After spending holidays and vacations as a pharmacy apprentice, he decided that counting pills was not too exciting. So, he changed his major to business. Upon graduating from the university he joined our construction company.

When Jim graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, we owned Blue Bird Van and Storage. He took a crash course in management and led this company to a good margin of profit in the first year.

Our construction office was above the Van and Storage Office. We soon saw Jim spending more and more time working with the estimators in the construction office. When a vacancy turned up he moved into the office and has done an outstanding job ever since.

Our three sons have many different attributes and skills, but one thing they all seem to have in common is their ability to choose excellent mates. Let us try and recall that part of our family history.

Vic soon brought Peggy to our home. We grew very fond of her and confirmed Vern Hart’s evaluation of this young woman. She is a fine lady.

Peggy’s parents, Rex and Ailleen Estes, became friends and we often enjoyed each others’ company. This did not last long enough because Rex was diagnosed with leukemia. He passed away in 1964 at a very early age.

Since Peggy was our first daughter-in-law, she was the recipient of many of our mistakes. She was always very gracious. During the nearly forty years we have known her, she has never verbalized her displeasures with us once. Thank you, Peggy.

I want to share a letter Vic wrote to me on Jan. 15,1999:

Dear Folks,

I have never been one who sits down and writes much not having to do with business, but when I received a copy of Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation, and read the fly leaf, I couldn’t help but think: This is my parents’ generation he is writing about. How we have underappreciated what was done for us, your children.

Even though I was very young, I have vivid memories of Dad going off to war and Mother being very sad and crying. At the time it made me sad also, but not for the same reasons. My sadness was missing my father, never thinking he might not return. Mother’s fear (probably more like terror) was of never seeing him again.

Tom Brokaw talks about you generation having common values such as duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country but above all, responsibility for oneself. I have often asked you, Dad, what made you leave your wife and young son to answer a call from you country, and Mother, letting you go with no apparent objection. I can still feel Mom’s arms around me, her tears making my neck wet, and my saying, “It’s OK, Mommy. Don’t cry. Everything will be OK.” I had no idea of what the implications were. She sacrificed as much by staying home as you did leaving. (Boy, writing this brings back memories long forgotten.) A secure, safe, stateside shore assignment would have just as easily fulfilled any obligation you may have felt. Your only answer is, “I can’t explain. You just had to be there and feel the power.” I never had a sense that you thought it was heroic, only that “everyone else was doing it, too.” Those common values mentioned above can only explain the greatness.

Well, I think I’m starting to ramble, so thank you both for your example, your sacrifice and your love. Read and enjoy this book.

Your admiring son,

Vic

During Brad’s senior year of college we decided to drive up the Gold Country Highway 49. We told him we might stop for a short visit in Stockton. He said he would like to meet us because he had a new girl friend who showed promise.

When you meet Karla, the first impression is her beauty, but we soon discovered other qualities that made her a very special person. Later we found she was very artistic and had great skills in painting and design.

We were concerned that Brad might not recognize these qualities and attributes that Karla possessed but before the trip was over we saw sort of a sparkle in his eyes as he eyed her. Brad’s weekend visits to our home from then on were always in the company of Karla.

When Brad graduated from U.O.P. the entire family was present. At that time Brad gave Karla an engagement ring. At a celebration party after the graduation ceremony we met Karla’s parents and discovered that her Dad, Keith Carlson, was an outstanding artist. He expressed a desire to paint a portrait of them in front of Twin Lakes Church where they were married and also of Ponderosa Lodge where the reception was held. It was an emotional moment when this beautiful painting was unveiled at the close of the reception. Yes, Number Two Son had finally picked a winner.

As I write this, Karla is a battling an aggressive kind of cancer. Just a year ago she detected a lump in her abdomen and it was surgically removed and diagnosed as cancerous. This past year has taken her to Stanford Hospital where she has had several operations, chemotherapy and extensive radiation treatments. She finished her last radiation in December 1999. Our prayer is that through the miracle of God’s working through these treatments, she will be free of cancer.

We solicit your prayers for Karla. She and her family are trusting the Great Physician with her health. She has been such a blessing to our family and a real helpmate to Brad. She is a “super mom” to our grandchildren and so willingly shares her talents and skills with others in the community and church. The happiness and joy she has brought to us causes us to say again, “Thank you, Lord.”

The day Jim left for Santa Barbara he had his surfboard secured to the top of his car. We reminded him that Westmont didn’t offer classes in surfing and that we’d take good care of the board in our garage.

At this time we must bring another family into this narrative: Bill and Eleanore Tefertiller. In the many years we attended Twin Lakes Church we frequently sat near, or behind this family who had two daughters. As many of you know, most people go to church and get into the habit of sitting in the same pew Sunday after Sunday. We found ourselves often sitting behind this family.

As the years passed we particularly noticed the oldest daughter, Cindy, growing up and becoming a beautiful girl. I was especially attracted to her long and beautiful hair.

Shortly after Jim graduated from Westmont her joined us in the pew behind the Tefertillers. That noon at lunch he said, “Didn’t Cindy look pretty this morning?” Things don’t usually work out this way. He had never dated her or mentioned her before. I don’t know how long it took, but Jim soon realized she was the one he wanted as his wife and the mother of his children.

As we became acquainted with this young lady, we no longer saw her as a child with her parents in the church pew, but as a loving and caring person who has brought great joy into our lives.

Jim and Cindy were married on April 28, 1973. They have two children, Erin and Jared. Erin is married to Dean Schwartz, a very fine man. They have a sweet little daughter named Alannah who was born in 1998. Their son, Jared, is a senior at Colorado State and will graduate with a degree in construction management.

On the day Jim’s daughter Erin was born I gave my son the following poem. Twenty-one years later he read it at her wedding reception. Yes, there were a few tears shed. Think of a loved one as you read the poem that follows:

A FATHER AND DAUGHTER’S LAST WALK TOGETHER

The hustle and bustle is over now, everything is quiet,
And at the rear of the church, I see a form in white,
I dimly hear the wedding march, and then I take my place,
She shyly hooks her arm in mine, there’s rapture in her face.

We start to walk the longest path I’ve trod in all my life,
I dread to hear those lasting words, “Now you’re man and wife,”
She seems so young, this child of mine, just yesterday she was born,
But I knew how time has really flown, when I awoke this morn.

As we slowly walk along the aisle, memories blur my sight,
The woman who walks beside me now should still be small and slight,
I think of a toddling little girl, squeezing my hand so hard,
Trying not to stumble and fall as we walk across the yard.
My thoughts go on a few years more: I see an eerie sight,
She’s trying to use some makeup now, but she sure looks a fright,
My mem’ries fade to realize now, we’ve finally reached the place,
I see a young man standing there with nervousness on his face.
We stand together, arm in arm, I look into her eyes,
I see a lovelight shining there, more beautiful than the skies,
A light that I remember well when I stood where he stands,
A light of love that burned like mine, as I took my wife’s hands.

The preacher now begins to speak, his voice so soft and low,
“ Who gives this one in marriage?” now and suddenly I know,
To this great moment are children born, ‘tis part of God’s great plan,
For the family is the strongest tie, on which our nation stands.

I suddenly look toward my wife – tears are in her eyes,
And then I turn and proudly say, “We do, my wife and I,”
I’ve done my part, I’ve walked the path, oh God, please take control,
Please walk with them along their path and keep them in thy fold.

And as I breathe this silent prayer, I turn to take my seat,
Beside the true love of my life who’s made my life complete,
I hear the words of long ago, “Until death do us part,”
I pray their lives will be like ours, sharing each other’s heart.

The words of Genesis 2:24 (oh, may they never cease),
And please Lord, give us now the strength to let them walk in peace,
They said, “I do,” and walked away, their life has just begun,
And as they walk, I humbly say, “Oh Lord, Thy will be done.”
By Darrell Graham.

First, a word about her parents whom she called Mom and Pop. They were both born in The Netherlands. Her mother came to the United States in 1898 when she was 10 years old; Nelina’s father, born in 1884, came when he was 21 years old. He had served an apprenticeship in Holland as a banket baaker, (fancy baked goods) specializing in pastries. Some of these pastry recipes were passed on to Nelina, who passes them on to the next generation. In fact, there is one almond paste recipe, made at Christmas that she considers to be a requirement before any woman can marry her son. She is very happy that even the grandchildren are carrying on this tradition.

Now, back to the Hoevens: Dora Koole and John Hoevens were married in Hull, Iowa. They went to Alberta, Canada on their Honeymoon. Some relatives encouraged John to buy a farm and try farming. In less than a year he lost his inheritance of about $10,000. The only good thing that happened in Canada was the birth of their son Adrian, or “Eddie”.

When returning to Hull, Iowa, a banker loaned John enough money to open a bakery in Primghar, Iowa. This was a successful venture and was also the birthplace of their second child, Nelina. Why John sold out and moved to Sanborn, about 10 miles north of Primghar is not known. Most of Nelina’s elementary education was in the town of Sanborn.

John and Dora worked very hard, putting in long hours at their bakery. Ina few years they had enough money to buy a farm. But alas, this was not to be. The banks closed their doors and went bankrupt. Another $10,000 lost.

John became despondent. He closed the bakery and moved west for a few years. Nelina remembers that she went to five different schools in one year. While they were living in Lynden, Washington, several merchants in Sanborn, Iowa wrote to John and encouraged him to return to Sanborn and open the bakery. So, they made another move to Sanborn where the Hoevens lived for three years. In 1933, John being semi-retired moved to Sheldon. He was quite successful in buying old houses and rebuilding them.

Nelina enjoyed her high school years in Sheldon. They attended the First Reformed Church where Nelina became active in music at the church and school. As stated earlier, she has a beautiful voice. She sang in various groups and also did considerable solo work.

Six of these Sheldon, Iowa girls became very good friends. Even though they moved away and married, their friendship remained steadfast. A “round robin” was started in 1950. These letters still make their rounds every year.

In finishing up Nelina’s family history I must add a little bit of humor. Nelina kept a diary. While writing this tribute I read the part where she was dating and “hanging out” with her friends. One word she used frequently was “swell”. Everything was “swell” and she used it occasionally two and three times in a paragraph. Today I hear young people using the word “cool”. That is something I thought had to do with the weather.

John Hoevens died on May 14,1968. Dora Hoevens died on February 15, 1975. Both are buried in Sheldon, Iowa next to their son Adrian “Eddie” Hoevens (1914-1936)

A PAGE FROM NELINA’S DIARY

(All trips overseas-none in U.S. or Canada)

1954-Holy Land Tour with my parents
1955-Short trip to Cuba
1957-Around the world with the Krafts
1960-Europe with The Boys
1963-South Seas-S.S. Mariposa, 25th Wedding Anniversary
1968-Scandinavian Countries – Vic, Peggy, Brad and Jim
1976-Alaska with the Tefertillers
1976-Aboard the Concorde to Europe
1977-England, purchased C.S. Lewis library
1979-Panama Canal with Everett and Iva Otto
1982-China with Vester and Esther
1983-Europe with Norma and Roger Gintert
1984-British Isles with Vic, Peg and Shelle
1988-Hawaii, entire family – 50th Wedding Anniversary
1989-Russia Leona and Sid Vander Woude
1991-Hawaii, Pearl Harbor Day 50 years E.I. Kingham
1996-Through the Chunnel, England

For my loving companion of sixty-one years:

Nelina, some fourteen years ago I wrote you a birthday letter expressing my love and appreciation for you. Everything I wrote at that time is still true. In part, I thanked you for the wonderful memories of the past years, from the time you first walked into my life. This is what I wrote:

We both have the same background. Our parents seldom expressed their feelings to each other in words, and I believe we have sort of adopted this same lifestyle. I regret I did not verbalize my sentiments more often over these many years, but may I say: “I love you” with all sincerity from a grateful heart.

Although I can never correct this neglect after these many years, let me try to put in writing my love, devotion and affection for you.

You have often heard me say, “Behind every successful man is a good wife.” This certainly has been true in my life. Your thrifty and conservative qualities have contributed greatly to any success we may have enjoyed. In trying to name some of your sterling attributes I find that so many come to mind.

Foremost is your love for our Lord. Your faithfulness in worshiping and serving Him in various ways has been consistent these many years. I have never seen you on a spiritual high or low, but ever ready to give thanks for our many blessings.

Secondly, you have been a faithful and supporting “helpmate,” always concerned with my well being. The countless deeds you do for my comfort do not go unnoticed.

Thirdly, you have been a wonderful mother to our three sons and the mothers of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am certain your love and care for this younger generation will be remembered long after we are gone.

And lastly, your matchless ability in being such an accomplished homemaker, skillful cook, and gracious hostess can never be equaled. Needless to say, these many qualities have made me extremely proud and grateful that you are mine.

Now fourteen years have passed since I wrote that letter and I appreciate you even more.

You have undergone many operations, enduring painful arthritis and debilitating illness during your later years. Throughout all of this, you have been borne these afflictions with grace and a smile. At the time I write this, you are in a weakened condition and we are unable to get our and travel, as we so loved to do. I am grateful for the memories we have and how God has blessed our times together.

Now, together we can look forward to the Eternal City where “there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.”

Under His mercy, the best is yet to come for us!