Biography of my Mom, Mary Katherine Schenfeld Kretzer

Mary Katherine (left) and Min Schenfeld, 1936
Mary Katherine Schenfeld's parents, Stephen and Catherine (Mildenberger) Schenfeld were German-Russian immigrants, and made their living in Russia as farmers. Stephen had been working on his father's (Adam Schoenfeld) Weld County farm, helping him to raise a crop. But the Great Depression was in full swing, and the difficult economic times cost Adam his farm. This left Stephen unemployed and without prospects. His wife's family lived in Iliff, Logan County, Colorado, and had been working the fields for quite a few years. Joseph Mildenberger, Catherine's father, had developed quite a few contacts and would be able to help Stephen find work.
Those were the circumstances that had Stephen & Catherine in Iliff on March 24, 1934, when Mary Katherine Schenfeld their sixth child was born. She joined brothers, Adam (1926), Steve (1928), Mike (1929), George (1931), and Jerry (b. 1832). Katherine, as her siblings would call her, was the first of Catherine's children to be delivered by a doctor. The first five had only Stephen and/or someone else, acting as a midwife.
With economic times as they were it was necessary for Katherine's family to move around, to find work. Her father dreamed of eventually having his own farm, and with it some degree of financial security. The family, when it moved, would do so sometime after the growing season was complete. Katherine was still very young when her folks moved from Iliff, down to Keystone Station, in southern Weld County. The following season's (1935) harvest saw them move again. This time to the Moise Davis farm, near Ione. Katherine relates an incident that likely happened here, when she was about two years old. The house that the Schenfelds were staying at had a ditch nearby, with a wooden plank serving as a bridge. Katherine for one reason or another decided she needed to cross the ditch. Two year olds are not known for their precise and careful steps, and one misstep caused her to fall in . One of her brothers raised the alarm immediately and her father came running. He was able to fish her out of the water, with only a good scare to cause her grief. It was an ironic twist, as Katherine's mother had had the same thing happen in Russia when she was girl. She had fallen into the nearby river, and her father had saved her as well. Katherine was the only girl to this point. But in Feb 1936, a sister, Min, was born there on the Davis property. The Schenfelds would remain there through the 1936 growing season. Then they moved into the town of Ft. Lupton, where they rented a house at 212 7th St, that belonged to Stephen's father.
Those were the circumstances that had Stephen & Catherine in Iliff on March 24, 1934, when Mary Katherine Schenfeld their sixth child was born. She joined brothers, Adam (1926), Steve (1928), Mike (1929), George (1931), and Jerry (b. 1832). Katherine, as her siblings would call her, was the first of Catherine's children to be delivered by a doctor. The first five had only Stephen and/or someone else, acting as a midwife.
With economic times as they were it was necessary for Katherine's family to move around, to find work. Her father dreamed of eventually having his own farm, and with it some degree of financial security. The family, when it moved, would do so sometime after the growing season was complete. Katherine was still very young when her folks moved from Iliff, down to Keystone Station, in southern Weld County. The following season's (1935) harvest saw them move again. This time to the Moise Davis farm, near Ione. Katherine relates an incident that likely happened here, when she was about two years old. The house that the Schenfelds were staying at had a ditch nearby, with a wooden plank serving as a bridge. Katherine for one reason or another decided she needed to cross the ditch. Two year olds are not known for their precise and careful steps, and one misstep caused her to fall in . One of her brothers raised the alarm immediately and her father came running. He was able to fish her out of the water, with only a good scare to cause her grief. It was an ironic twist, as Katherine's mother had had the same thing happen in Russia when she was girl. She had fallen into the nearby river, and her father had saved her as well. Katherine was the only girl to this point. But in Feb 1936, a sister, Min, was born there on the Davis property. The Schenfelds would remain there through the 1936 growing season. Then they moved into the town of Ft. Lupton, where they rented a house at 212 7th St, that belonged to Stephen's father.
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Mary Katherine and Cel(?), abt 1941
As Katherine learned to walk and get about she was naturally attracted to the sibling closest in age, her brother Jerry. Katherine would follow him about and try to emulate his deeds and games. This caused Jerry no end of aggravation. He was already trying to keep up with four older brothers, and having a sister as a tag along didn't help. But, little deterred Katherine. Even the occasional slug in the shoulder would only dissuade her for awhile. But, with the birth of Min, Katherine would soon have a playmate of both her gender, and one who wanted to play with her.
Katherine and Min enjoyed playing farm, together. In their version, sticks could be used for fences, and the ever abundant grasshoppers used as horses. They grasshoppers had to first be tamed, so as not to escape. To accomplish this their legs were removed. This worked very well. To complement their farm, they would get matchsticks and added hollyhock flowers as cloths. The flower would turn the matchstick into a lady with a long gown on.
When the two of them were older, they attempted to emulate their mother when she was making pickles out of cucumbers. They secured a jar, the necessary vegetable, vinegar, some dill, salt, and away they went to their clubhouse. The clubhouse had been made of some crates that were found nearby. They mixed their ingredients together, as they had seen their Mom do, and then set the jar aside to age, just like Mom. Their mother would age her pickles for as long as a couple of weeks. Their's lasted until that afternoon. While technically they were pickles (as soon as the cucumbers are in the brine, they are technically pickles) at this point, they weren't very good. But the girls were proud of their efforts and ate them all.
The family moved again after the harvest in 1938. With them was a new addition, sister Helen Virgina (Gin), who had been born in April of 1937. Katherine, then four years old, and her family ended up on a farm owned by George Doughty, near Wattenberg, just a few miles west of Ft Lupton. Either shortly before they arrived or shortly after, a third little sister was born. Betty Mae was born in September 1938. It was here, at the Doughty farm, that Katherine remembers her first Christmas. She recalls that they had a tree. It had ornaments, but no lights. Their rural home had neither electricity or running water. There was an outhouse, out in the back, to take care of restroom functions. Baths were taken in a wash tub, with water drawn from the well and heated on the wood/coal/kerosene stove.
Katherine and Min enjoyed playing farm, together. In their version, sticks could be used for fences, and the ever abundant grasshoppers used as horses. They grasshoppers had to first be tamed, so as not to escape. To accomplish this their legs were removed. This worked very well. To complement their farm, they would get matchsticks and added hollyhock flowers as cloths. The flower would turn the matchstick into a lady with a long gown on.
When the two of them were older, they attempted to emulate their mother when she was making pickles out of cucumbers. They secured a jar, the necessary vegetable, vinegar, some dill, salt, and away they went to their clubhouse. The clubhouse had been made of some crates that were found nearby. They mixed their ingredients together, as they had seen their Mom do, and then set the jar aside to age, just like Mom. Their mother would age her pickles for as long as a couple of weeks. Their's lasted until that afternoon. While technically they were pickles (as soon as the cucumbers are in the brine, they are technically pickles) at this point, they weren't very good. But the girls were proud of their efforts and ate them all.
The family moved again after the harvest in 1938. With them was a new addition, sister Helen Virgina (Gin), who had been born in April of 1937. Katherine, then four years old, and her family ended up on a farm owned by George Doughty, near Wattenberg, just a few miles west of Ft Lupton. Either shortly before they arrived or shortly after, a third little sister was born. Betty Mae was born in September 1938. It was here, at the Doughty farm, that Katherine remembers her first Christmas. She recalls that they had a tree. It had ornaments, but no lights. Their rural home had neither electricity or running water. There was an outhouse, out in the back, to take care of restroom functions. Baths were taken in a wash tub, with water drawn from the well and heated on the wood/coal/kerosene stove.
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Mary Katherine in her First Communion dress, abt 1944
The following year, 5 year old Katherine was able to start first grade at the Wattenberg school. The school was located about 1 2/3 miles from their home, if you took a short cut through the field. Katherine would usually walk to school with her brothers, but on those cold days in the winter of 1939-1940, she would often be reduced to tears by the walk. But, Katherine was very fond of school and learning, and did not want to give up.
The family remained on the Doughty's place for two seasons, 1939 and 1940. Katherine's parents continued to add to their family. A fifth girl, and Katherine's fourth little sister, Cecelia Rose, was born in March 1940. After the harvest of 1940 all twelve of the Schenfelds moved to the Carpenter farm, which was likely located near Platteville. It is very likely that Katherine did not attend school that year. Katherine recalls that she was given the responsibility of watching her younger sisters, while her parents were working in the fields. This was on site, where her parents were working, so there were adults nearby. But this was a lot of responsibility for a 6-7 year old. There were four girls to keep entertained and just kept track of. As she was so young, she wanted to play too, and once when her mother checked on them, one of the others had wandered off. She had not gotten too far, and no one was hurt. But the lecture that contained "How would you feel if one of them had died", both hurt and scared Katherine.
The family stayed at the Carpenter place until winter had set in and school had started. Katherine and her siblings again did not start school. But once they had moved and settled into their new home, in Brighton, on North 6th Ave, they did attend Brighton Elementary School, at 5th Ave and Bridge Street.
While Katherine's folks were poor, they were also religious. They had come from a long line of Catholics, extending back through Russia, into Germany. There poverty and religion collided with the occasion of Katherine, and three of her brother's First Communion. As they had lived out in the country, attending additional classes, that were required, before making their first communion was difficult. But after moving into town, that task was make easier and Mike, George, Jerry, and Katherine all made their first communion together. The picture on this page, and the ones found elsewhere that marked this event, were not taken at the time of the ceremony. They were taken several weeks later, at Albert Holman’s farm. It was done then, because Stephen and Katy Schenfeld could not afford a camera.
Katherine was very fond of her Mildenberger grandparents, and she and her family would drive up to visit them in Logan County, as often as they could. It was no trivial matter to drive up there, as the roads and automotive tire technology of the time conspired to cost half a day for the trip. But several times through Katherine's early childhood she was permitted to stay with her grandparents. The length of time would depend on Katherine. She completely enjoyed the experience, but after several weeks she would get homesick, and would be taken down to Brighton.
The family remained on the Doughty's place for two seasons, 1939 and 1940. Katherine's parents continued to add to their family. A fifth girl, and Katherine's fourth little sister, Cecelia Rose, was born in March 1940. After the harvest of 1940 all twelve of the Schenfelds moved to the Carpenter farm, which was likely located near Platteville. It is very likely that Katherine did not attend school that year. Katherine recalls that she was given the responsibility of watching her younger sisters, while her parents were working in the fields. This was on site, where her parents were working, so there were adults nearby. But this was a lot of responsibility for a 6-7 year old. There were four girls to keep entertained and just kept track of. As she was so young, she wanted to play too, and once when her mother checked on them, one of the others had wandered off. She had not gotten too far, and no one was hurt. But the lecture that contained "How would you feel if one of them had died", both hurt and scared Katherine.
The family stayed at the Carpenter place until winter had set in and school had started. Katherine and her siblings again did not start school. But once they had moved and settled into their new home, in Brighton, on North 6th Ave, they did attend Brighton Elementary School, at 5th Ave and Bridge Street.
While Katherine's folks were poor, they were also religious. They had come from a long line of Catholics, extending back through Russia, into Germany. There poverty and religion collided with the occasion of Katherine, and three of her brother's First Communion. As they had lived out in the country, attending additional classes, that were required, before making their first communion was difficult. But after moving into town, that task was make easier and Mike, George, Jerry, and Katherine all made their first communion together. The picture on this page, and the ones found elsewhere that marked this event, were not taken at the time of the ceremony. They were taken several weeks later, at Albert Holman’s farm. It was done then, because Stephen and Katy Schenfeld could not afford a camera.
Katherine was very fond of her Mildenberger grandparents, and she and her family would drive up to visit them in Logan County, as often as they could. It was no trivial matter to drive up there, as the roads and automotive tire technology of the time conspired to cost half a day for the trip. But several times through Katherine's early childhood she was permitted to stay with her grandparents. The length of time would depend on Katherine. She completely enjoyed the experience, but after several weeks she would get homesick, and would be taken down to Brighton.
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Katherina and Joe Mildenberger, Kathy's grandparents
She has many fond memories of her times at her grandparents. Her grandmother, Katherina (Mueller) Mildenberger, was an excellent seamstress and would make Katherine many outfits. She prized these gifts very highly, as a lot of her cloths were hand-me-downs from an older cousin. Her grandmother was an excellent cook, as well. She made really good noodle soup. Katherine was also fond of chicken hearts and gizzards (yuck!), and would ask her grandmother to save them for her, when she would fry up a bird.
Her memories of her grandfather were pleasant as well. Joseph Mildenberger was a kind and generous man to his grand kids. Katherine would often be treated to candy or ice cream on a trip to town with her grandpa. On one occasion, she was treated to her first hamburger. She was making the trip into town with her grandfather, and her much older cousin, Joe Haberkorn, Jr. The two men were in the habit of stopping at a combination general store/restaurant/tavern for whatever might appeal at the time. Mr. Haberkorn asked Katherine, if she would like to try a hamburger, and soon one was in front of her. She obviously had beef before. This was Colorado farm and ranch country after all. The only people that didn't eat beef were dead. But her mother did not prepare it like this. She had experienced a ground beef patty, German-style, served like a steak. But this one was on a bun, and had the standard condiments. She loved it.
A final memory of her times up in Iliff, centered around a balloon and the rooster that her grandparents kept. This bird was not particularly mean, but was evidently of a curious nature. Little Katherine had been given a balloon, either by her grandpa or someone in town who thought that a cute little girl just might want one. Anyway, she was in the yard trying to blow it up, but was having a difficult time with. The rooter had been watching the red plastic expand, and dance as Katherine tried to blow it up. When one particularly large puff shot it loose from her fingers, the rooster pounced on it like it was a worm. Katherine chased the bird around the yard for a time, and was finally able to rescue her possession. But when she studied it (before she stuck it back in her mouth) she saw that it was all stuck together, and likely had holes in it.
Back in Brighton, her folks had been renting the house on 6th while looking for a suitable place to buy. They found it a few blocks away at 250 N. 5th Ave. They moved in before planting in 1942, when Katherine was 8 years old. That summer the stork brought the Schenfelds their 11th child, and sixth girl. Patricia (Trish) Ann was born on July 5, 1942. Katherine would start the 3rd grade a few months later.
Katherine has many memories of her times in school. Ultimately she was only able to go for 8 years. That was all that was legally required, and her parents did not have the money for books, or the inclination to further her education. For girls of the 1940s education was considered something closer to luxury than necessity. Girls would grow into women. And in the 1940s, the woman's place was in the home, cooking and watching the kids.
Katherine fondly recalls her first Christmas season, in school. The kids were treated to a movie, at the theater in Ft. Lupton. This was a huge deal, as Katherine had never seen a movie before. Televisions were a thing of the future, so a movie could only be seen in a theater. After the movie the festive atmosphere continued. This theater had a stage in the front, and kids were called up. Each was given a small bag with candy and an orange. Katherine had had an orange before, but it was still a rare treat.
Her memories of her grandfather were pleasant as well. Joseph Mildenberger was a kind and generous man to his grand kids. Katherine would often be treated to candy or ice cream on a trip to town with her grandpa. On one occasion, she was treated to her first hamburger. She was making the trip into town with her grandfather, and her much older cousin, Joe Haberkorn, Jr. The two men were in the habit of stopping at a combination general store/restaurant/tavern for whatever might appeal at the time. Mr. Haberkorn asked Katherine, if she would like to try a hamburger, and soon one was in front of her. She obviously had beef before. This was Colorado farm and ranch country after all. The only people that didn't eat beef were dead. But her mother did not prepare it like this. She had experienced a ground beef patty, German-style, served like a steak. But this one was on a bun, and had the standard condiments. She loved it.
A final memory of her times up in Iliff, centered around a balloon and the rooster that her grandparents kept. This bird was not particularly mean, but was evidently of a curious nature. Little Katherine had been given a balloon, either by her grandpa or someone in town who thought that a cute little girl just might want one. Anyway, she was in the yard trying to blow it up, but was having a difficult time with. The rooter had been watching the red plastic expand, and dance as Katherine tried to blow it up. When one particularly large puff shot it loose from her fingers, the rooster pounced on it like it was a worm. Katherine chased the bird around the yard for a time, and was finally able to rescue her possession. But when she studied it (before she stuck it back in her mouth) she saw that it was all stuck together, and likely had holes in it.
Back in Brighton, her folks had been renting the house on 6th while looking for a suitable place to buy. They found it a few blocks away at 250 N. 5th Ave. They moved in before planting in 1942, when Katherine was 8 years old. That summer the stork brought the Schenfelds their 11th child, and sixth girl. Patricia (Trish) Ann was born on July 5, 1942. Katherine would start the 3rd grade a few months later.
Katherine has many memories of her times in school. Ultimately she was only able to go for 8 years. That was all that was legally required, and her parents did not have the money for books, or the inclination to further her education. For girls of the 1940s education was considered something closer to luxury than necessity. Girls would grow into women. And in the 1940s, the woman's place was in the home, cooking and watching the kids.
Katherine fondly recalls her first Christmas season, in school. The kids were treated to a movie, at the theater in Ft. Lupton. This was a huge deal, as Katherine had never seen a movie before. Televisions were a thing of the future, so a movie could only be seen in a theater. After the movie the festive atmosphere continued. This theater had a stage in the front, and kids were called up. Each was given a small bag with candy and an orange. Katherine had had an orange before, but it was still a rare treat.
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Kathy's sisters-Min, Gin, Betty, and Cel, abt 1941
Her Christmas experience the following year was remembered less fondly. There was to be a Christmas play put on by the older kids at the Junior High or High School. As admittance the elementary school kids were to bring something, food or such, to give to the poor. Well, Katherine's family was the poor, and they had nothing to spare for such frivolity. So Katherine, and two other Mexican children in the same boat, had to stay while the other kids walked to the other school to attend the performance.
While the elementary kids may have chosen to walk to the older kid's school to see a play. Katherine recalls that the older kids from both schools (there was only one high school and one junior high school in Brighton then) would have to walk to the elementary school each day, if they wanted a hot lunch. School lunches were only served at the elementary school. Katherine recalls that the price was 25 cents per week. She also recalls that she hated the school's macaroni and cheese. This is something she considers odd, now. As she has now raised four kids, and had nine grandchildren, she is starkly aware of how kids of that age devour macaroni and cheese. She chalks it up to the unfamiliarity of the dish. Her experience with pasta stopped at the homemade
noodles her mother and grandmother would make. And those were never covered in a cheese sauce. But it was little concern at the time. Scrambled eggs were available as a substitute and the chickens at home had let become very familiar with those.
Katherine's family was still growing. Another sister, Mary Ann, was born on April 28, 1944. The family would live in the house on 5th Ave for another year and a half. This was the longest they had stayed in one place since Katherine was born. As such there was time to accumulate stories about what they had done or what they had seen. Katherine remembers the shed in the back of the house. It had a tin roof that they would try to slide down. To make the roof more slippery she would rub it with the wax paper that the grocery store used to wrap things in. It didn't work especially well, but it did make it a little more slick. The kids were not supposed to play on the shed. Their mother was concerned both with damage to the shed and the kid's getting hurt. In fact Katherine's sister, Cel, was hurt, when she fell off into the hot ash pit nearby, on one occasion.
Where ever Katherine's family lived, they always raised a garden, to provide food for the family. One of Katherine's chores was to water and weed the garden after school. Before tending to these chores, she was supposed to change out of her school cloths and into her work cloths. But this time she forgot. Of course a piece of the fence that kept rabbits out of the garden reminded her why it was important. It reached out and grabbed her dress, causing a tear. Knowing that she would be yelled out for not doing as she was told, she hid the dress in a stack of cloths that her mother was not wearing at the time. But, her mother did not have anything that went to waste, and in just a few weeks she found that dress while going through the pile to decide what to do with them. Katherine got in double trouble. First for tearing the dress and then hiding it.
While the elementary kids may have chosen to walk to the older kid's school to see a play. Katherine recalls that the older kids from both schools (there was only one high school and one junior high school in Brighton then) would have to walk to the elementary school each day, if they wanted a hot lunch. School lunches were only served at the elementary school. Katherine recalls that the price was 25 cents per week. She also recalls that she hated the school's macaroni and cheese. This is something she considers odd, now. As she has now raised four kids, and had nine grandchildren, she is starkly aware of how kids of that age devour macaroni and cheese. She chalks it up to the unfamiliarity of the dish. Her experience with pasta stopped at the homemade
noodles her mother and grandmother would make. And those were never covered in a cheese sauce. But it was little concern at the time. Scrambled eggs were available as a substitute and the chickens at home had let become very familiar with those.
Katherine's family was still growing. Another sister, Mary Ann, was born on April 28, 1944. The family would live in the house on 5th Ave for another year and a half. This was the longest they had stayed in one place since Katherine was born. As such there was time to accumulate stories about what they had done or what they had seen. Katherine remembers the shed in the back of the house. It had a tin roof that they would try to slide down. To make the roof more slippery she would rub it with the wax paper that the grocery store used to wrap things in. It didn't work especially well, but it did make it a little more slick. The kids were not supposed to play on the shed. Their mother was concerned both with damage to the shed and the kid's getting hurt. In fact Katherine's sister, Cel, was hurt, when she fell off into the hot ash pit nearby, on one occasion.
Where ever Katherine's family lived, they always raised a garden, to provide food for the family. One of Katherine's chores was to water and weed the garden after school. Before tending to these chores, she was supposed to change out of her school cloths and into her work cloths. But this time she forgot. Of course a piece of the fence that kept rabbits out of the garden reminded her why it was important. It reached out and grabbed her dress, causing a tear. Knowing that she would be yelled out for not doing as she was told, she hid the dress in a stack of cloths that her mother was not wearing at the time. But, her mother did not have anything that went to waste, and in just a few weeks she found that dress while going through the pile to decide what to do with them. Katherine got in double trouble. First for tearing the dress and then hiding it.
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Kathy in 1945
Her folks sold the house on 5th St in 1945, before the second World War was over. They bought another, larger, house a few blocks east on 8th Ave. Living in the city gave everyone a chance to establish routines. The children attended church most mornings. Katherine and her sister, Min, often walked together to Mass. One morning during that 1945 summer, eleven year old Katherine, and nine year old Min were walking their normal route to church, when they passed Mrs Wolf's yard. Mrs. Wolf had a nice yard with some very pretty red and violet dahlias. The two girls stopped in front of the house and contemplated picking a couple, to put in their hair. They bickered back and forth "You pick em!' "No! You pick'em!" for so long they were nearly late for church. One of them finally picked a few flowers, and they hurried off to Mass. They decided to sit in the front row, and show off how pretty they looked. This was accompanied by the requisite giggles. Those giggles stopped abruptly when they turned around and saw Mrs. Wolf was in the pew behind them.
The Schenfelds only lived in the house on 8th for about 6 to 9 months. Katherine's father, Stephen was able to take advantage of the increased property values with the end of World War II, and sell the house for a good profit. He took that profit, bought some farm equipment, and leased a farm near Platteville. He, along with his wife and children's labor would attempt to make a go of this farm. Katherine had started school in Brighton, but transferred to the St Vrain School, for her first year of Junior High. Their new home was next to the farm that was being operated by her father's 1st cousin, Ursula (Schenfeld) Schmidt and her husband, Peter.
Not all of Katherine's time was spent in the fields, at school, or doing chores. There was some time for play. In addition to having younger sisters, Katherine had older brothers. They would recruither to help round out a team, be if for football or baseball. Equipment for the games were not justlying around, and often the kids would improvise. In the fall a sugar beet would substitute for a football. On one occasion, Katherine was part of a team that included her older brother, Steve. Katherine was unsure which way to run if she should be thrown the ball/beet. So she asked. Steve told her to run straight. She did exactly that. But as she was facing the quarterback, to catch the ball, she ran straight back towards them, past, and scored a touchdown for the other side. A do over was allowed for that play.
The Schenfelds only lived in the house on 8th for about 6 to 9 months. Katherine's father, Stephen was able to take advantage of the increased property values with the end of World War II, and sell the house for a good profit. He took that profit, bought some farm equipment, and leased a farm near Platteville. He, along with his wife and children's labor would attempt to make a go of this farm. Katherine had started school in Brighton, but transferred to the St Vrain School, for her first year of Junior High. Their new home was next to the farm that was being operated by her father's 1st cousin, Ursula (Schenfeld) Schmidt and her husband, Peter.
Not all of Katherine's time was spent in the fields, at school, or doing chores. There was some time for play. In addition to having younger sisters, Katherine had older brothers. They would recruither to help round out a team, be if for football or baseball. Equipment for the games were not justlying around, and often the kids would improvise. In the fall a sugar beet would substitute for a football. On one occasion, Katherine was part of a team that included her older brother, Steve. Katherine was unsure which way to run if she should be thrown the ball/beet. So she asked. Steve told her to run straight. She did exactly that. But as she was facing the quarterback, to catch the ball, she ran straight back towards them, past, and scored a touchdown for the other side. A do over was allowed for that play.
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She would also play baseball with the boys. On the occasions where she had to play catcher, she declined to assume the customary position of squatting behind home plate. Decorum or modesty had nothing to do with it. Katherine was concerned for her face. She did not posses the same skill as her brothers, and several of them were blessed with pretty good arms. So she would dutifully stand behind and to the side of the plate, opposite the batter, and attempt to snag the ball as it went by.
Katherine's stay at the place near the Schmidt farm lasted for just one growing season. They uprooted again, sometime after the 1946 harvest and moved to place near Longmont. This farm would be unique, as it raised turkeys, too. The Schenfeld's duties included the care and feeding of these birds. Those tasks were delegated to the boys, mostly Steve. But there was work for all, as their father still had them working in the fields for himself and other farmers, too.
After the calender flipped to 1947, Katherine's Mom gave birth to her thirteen child. A son, Donald Leo, was born on February 21st. Katherine's 7th grade academic studies had been spent at Pleasant View Ridge school, near Longmont. That building still stands today, but has been converted to a private residence.
One season with the turkeys was enough, and late that same year them moved once again. This time back to Wattenberg, not far from where they had been seven years ago. This place was owned by a farmer named Bell. Stephen again leased land, with a sharecropper’s agreement, and would try to make money off the land. The growing season of 1948 was spent there. Her father would raise the ever present sugar beets and wheat. The wheat gave several of the kids opportunity to get in trouble with their father. If you walked through the wheat in a careless manner and stamped it down, it could not be harvested. Wheat that was not harvested might as well never have been grown. So Katherine and number of the kids got in trouble for this transgression.
The year 1948 also marked the end of Katherine's academic career. The 14 year old Katherine graduated, with her brother Jerry, from the Wattenberg school late that spring. Katherine has several memories of her last year in school. There was the graduation dinner with her brother, in which he had his jello (with mayo) taken from him, as he had not eaten it. He thought that it was for dessert. It was part of the entree. Then there was their participation in the school play together. In one scene together, they were supposed to bump into each other, as they passed by. But Jerry was not expecting such a large bump from his little sister, and he ended up on the floor, with the crowd roaring with laughter.
Katherine's stay at the place near the Schmidt farm lasted for just one growing season. They uprooted again, sometime after the 1946 harvest and moved to place near Longmont. This farm would be unique, as it raised turkeys, too. The Schenfeld's duties included the care and feeding of these birds. Those tasks were delegated to the boys, mostly Steve. But there was work for all, as their father still had them working in the fields for himself and other farmers, too.
After the calender flipped to 1947, Katherine's Mom gave birth to her thirteen child. A son, Donald Leo, was born on February 21st. Katherine's 7th grade academic studies had been spent at Pleasant View Ridge school, near Longmont. That building still stands today, but has been converted to a private residence.
One season with the turkeys was enough, and late that same year them moved once again. This time back to Wattenberg, not far from where they had been seven years ago. This place was owned by a farmer named Bell. Stephen again leased land, with a sharecropper’s agreement, and would try to make money off the land. The growing season of 1948 was spent there. Her father would raise the ever present sugar beets and wheat. The wheat gave several of the kids opportunity to get in trouble with their father. If you walked through the wheat in a careless manner and stamped it down, it could not be harvested. Wheat that was not harvested might as well never have been grown. So Katherine and number of the kids got in trouble for this transgression.
The year 1948 also marked the end of Katherine's academic career. The 14 year old Katherine graduated, with her brother Jerry, from the Wattenberg school late that spring. Katherine has several memories of her last year in school. There was the graduation dinner with her brother, in which he had his jello (with mayo) taken from him, as he had not eaten it. He thought that it was for dessert. It was part of the entree. Then there was their participation in the school play together. In one scene together, they were supposed to bump into each other, as they passed by. But Jerry was not expecting such a large bump from his little sister, and he ended up on the floor, with the crowd roaring with laughter.
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The Mangle Imagine getting your arm caught in those rollers.
After they had brought in their crops in 1948 the family made another move. This would be another unique experience. Stephen had made the decision to work two different farms, with his and his children's labor, for 1949. Farm number one would be the Albert Holman place near Kersey. Farm number two would be the Mosies Davis farm near Ione. This was the same Davis farm that they had lived on when Katherine was a little girl. The majority of the kids stayed in Kersey. Two of Katherine's sisters would live in Ione, attend school, and cook and clean for the guys when they would drive down from Kersey to work. There were watermelons, wheat, hay, and corn to be grown in Kersey. Plus there were cows that would have to be milked. The Ione farm had no cows, but the tomatoes, potatoes, and cucumbers kept them busy.
Katherine turned 15 in 1949 and was learning to drive the tractor. She was at the wheel, raking hay, and her brother Jerry was standing on the back of the tractor. A bump or lurch of the machine sent Jerry tumbling off. But that went unnoticed by Katherine, who drove off leaving her brother sprawled on the ground.
The double farm experiment lasted for only one season. The family abandoned the Kersey end of the operation and lived and worked on the Davis farm. Working two farms was a lot of work, and required a lot of driving. But even more important than the amount of work, was the loss of labor. Katherine's brothers did not particularly enjoy the life of a farmer. It was hard, back-breaking work, that never earned them much money. After the 1949 season her older brothers were 23, 21, 20, 18, & 17 years old. Adam was OK with farming, and Steve felt obligated to help the family. But Mike and George chafed under the hard work imposed on them by their father. Both were adults, and by this time both had decided to seek work off the farm. They would pay rent while they lived at home, but they would also have their own money, get a car, and enjoy some independence.
As such 1950 would be the last year that Stephen would try to raise a crop. After completing his contract that fall, the family moved back into Brighton, to live in town again. Katherine, now 16, moved into town ahead of the family. That fall Katherine moved in with her Mildenberger grandparents, who now called Brighton home. The family followed several weeks later, and rented a house on Bromley Lane & 5th Ave. Katherine then moved back in with them.
Katherine turned 15 in 1949 and was learning to drive the tractor. She was at the wheel, raking hay, and her brother Jerry was standing on the back of the tractor. A bump or lurch of the machine sent Jerry tumbling off. But that went unnoticed by Katherine, who drove off leaving her brother sprawled on the ground.
The double farm experiment lasted for only one season. The family abandoned the Kersey end of the operation and lived and worked on the Davis farm. Working two farms was a lot of work, and required a lot of driving. But even more important than the amount of work, was the loss of labor. Katherine's brothers did not particularly enjoy the life of a farmer. It was hard, back-breaking work, that never earned them much money. After the 1949 season her older brothers were 23, 21, 20, 18, & 17 years old. Adam was OK with farming, and Steve felt obligated to help the family. But Mike and George chafed under the hard work imposed on them by their father. Both were adults, and by this time both had decided to seek work off the farm. They would pay rent while they lived at home, but they would also have their own money, get a car, and enjoy some independence.
As such 1950 would be the last year that Stephen would try to raise a crop. After completing his contract that fall, the family moved back into Brighton, to live in town again. Katherine, now 16, moved into town ahead of the family. That fall Katherine moved in with her Mildenberger grandparents, who now called Brighton home. The family followed several weeks later, and rented a house on Bromley Lane & 5th Ave. Katherine then moved back in with them.
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Mary Katherine, abt 1952
Katherine had moved into town with the idea of also getting a job. She was able to secure a position at Home Service Laundry Service, at Egbert and Main St. {Note: The building now houses the sports bar The Copper Rail}. Home Service Laundry did both residential and commercial laundry. Katherine started on The Shake Table. This was a normal table in which laundry was dumped, and the person at the table would prep them to be fed into the steel press. The steel press, known by everyone as "The Mangle" was one of several pieces of equipment used by Home Service. "The Mangle" was a large machine with rollers that would press sheets that were fed into them. Someone on the other side would then fold them. Later, Katherine would operate the tying machine. This machine was used to tie packages of finished laundry into bundles for delivery.
Katherine's starting wage at Home Service was .45 cents per hour. When she left them in the fall of 1959 she was making 60 cents per hour. After Home Service, Katherine took a job with Reliable Laundry, on Downing Street, in Denver. She was making 75 cents per hour. By the time she left Reliable in 1961 she was making the wealth building salary of $1.10 per hour. She paid her parents $15 per week for her room and board.
As I mentioned before, Katherine's brothers were not interested in being farmers and most had jobs outside of the farm. This is the big reason Stephen stopped farming. But the nail in the coffin was likely the news that his namesake son was ill. Steve began to retain water in 1950. He was later diagnosed with Bright's Disease. He would suffer through three years of ineffective treatment, before the disease would take his life on October 6, 1953. His death hit all of the kids hard, Katherine and the girls particularly so.
The Schenfelds stayed in the Bromley house for just a few months. Just long enough to get through the winter and locate a house to purchase. Stephen and Katy found that place, just west of town on Pittman Hill. Katherine and Min, who had started working at Home Service Laundry as soon as she could get a work permit, had been able to buy a set of bunk beds. Katherine got the bottom bunk. Min recalls that her sister did not like to hang things up (this appears to be genetic, as her children would have the same problem), and would often just flip the cloths over the side of the bed. When challenged by her sister to hang them up, Katherine would reply "They are up. They're not on the floor".
Katherine's starting wage at Home Service was .45 cents per hour. When she left them in the fall of 1959 she was making 60 cents per hour. After Home Service, Katherine took a job with Reliable Laundry, on Downing Street, in Denver. She was making 75 cents per hour. By the time she left Reliable in 1961 she was making the wealth building salary of $1.10 per hour. She paid her parents $15 per week for her room and board.
As I mentioned before, Katherine's brothers were not interested in being farmers and most had jobs outside of the farm. This is the big reason Stephen stopped farming. But the nail in the coffin was likely the news that his namesake son was ill. Steve began to retain water in 1950. He was later diagnosed with Bright's Disease. He would suffer through three years of ineffective treatment, before the disease would take his life on October 6, 1953. His death hit all of the kids hard, Katherine and the girls particularly so.
The Schenfelds stayed in the Bromley house for just a few months. Just long enough to get through the winter and locate a house to purchase. Stephen and Katy found that place, just west of town on Pittman Hill. Katherine and Min, who had started working at Home Service Laundry as soon as she could get a work permit, had been able to buy a set of bunk beds. Katherine got the bottom bunk. Min recalls that her sister did not like to hang things up (this appears to be genetic, as her children would have the same problem), and would often just flip the cloths over the side of the bed. When challenged by her sister to hang them up, Katherine would reply "They are up. They're not on the floor".
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abt 1955
Working at "the laundry" as it was called gave Katherine the benefit of having some discretionary money to spend. Not a lot, but compared to almost nothing, $20 per week or so, was quite a step up. Some of her money would be saved, and some spent on clothes or gifts, but leisure activities now commanded a share as well. Dancing was a favorite activity. Another was movies. Katherine would develop a reputation as one who got sucked into the movie she was watching. It would command her full attention, and a dramatic or scary movie would have her on edge. This, more than once, was enumerated in stories told by herself and her siblings.
One occurred not long after the family got their first TV, about 1955. There w as a dramatic show in which the villain had chased the a kid out onto a ledge and was pursuing him. The scene was closing in on the part where someone was sure to fall, when something startled Katherine. Normally a harmless gasp or shriek would erupt. But this time, Katherine was crocheting something with a very fine crotchet hook. When she started, she jabbed the hook right into the meaty part of her hand, just as efficiently as if it had been a needle. It was so fine, that it really didn't hurt, but it needed to be removed. Conscientiously pulling a hook back out was not something she was willing to do, so she asked her sister, Betty to do. Betty didn't want any part of that. Katherine was not crazy about the idea of telling her dad. He had a temper and she was unsure if this would set it off. Deciding she had no choice, she told him. He didn't get mad. He just gave it a yank, and it turned out to be pretty painless coming out, too. No bleeding or scar resulted.
Another time occurred not long after Katherine began to drive. She took a number of her sisters to the old Kar-Vu Drive-In, north of Brighton. The picture showing at the drive-in was one of the Frankenstein movies. As you may remember, the monster had a distinctive way of walking. It was very rigid, with the arms held out in front, like he was continually reaching for something. At one point the monster was advancing on a soon to be victim. Katherine was watching in worried anticipation. Meanwhile in the back seat, Katherine's 11 year old (or so) sister, Trish, noticed the concern and worry on her sister's face. Thinking she could use comfort in this stressful part of the movie, she decided to do the most natural and probably least helpful thing. The monster is reaching out for the person, and Trish reaches out and pats Katherine on the shoulder. Everyone else in car, and probably those nearby, came off their seat when Katherine screamed.
Another, less dramatic example also happened at the drive-in. A group that included Katherine was watching another movie. Drive-Ins were a place to socialize in the 1950s, so it was natural to stop and visit with people. Frances Roth, a good friend of Katherine's and future wife of her brother George, saw Katherine and went over to exchange a few words. Katherine was focused on the movie, another suspenseful one, and came off of her seat when Frances poked her head in and said "Hi!"
Katherine got her first car at the age of 19, in 1955. The money she was making at the laundry had enabled her to buy her brother Jerry's 1949 Plymouth. Jerry had enlisted in the Air Force and after a stint at Lowery AFB was transferred out of state. He couldn't take the car with him, so this worked well for everyone. This was about the same time she got her driver's license. Katherine had been taught to drive by her brother, Jerry. As it turned out, she never did have to take the practical end of the test. By the time she had finished the written part, it was so close to quitting time that they just skipped it, and Katherine was a licensed driver.
One occurred not long after the family got their first TV, about 1955. There w as a dramatic show in which the villain had chased the a kid out onto a ledge and was pursuing him. The scene was closing in on the part where someone was sure to fall, when something startled Katherine. Normally a harmless gasp or shriek would erupt. But this time, Katherine was crocheting something with a very fine crotchet hook. When she started, she jabbed the hook right into the meaty part of her hand, just as efficiently as if it had been a needle. It was so fine, that it really didn't hurt, but it needed to be removed. Conscientiously pulling a hook back out was not something she was willing to do, so she asked her sister, Betty to do. Betty didn't want any part of that. Katherine was not crazy about the idea of telling her dad. He had a temper and she was unsure if this would set it off. Deciding she had no choice, she told him. He didn't get mad. He just gave it a yank, and it turned out to be pretty painless coming out, too. No bleeding or scar resulted.
Another time occurred not long after Katherine began to drive. She took a number of her sisters to the old Kar-Vu Drive-In, north of Brighton. The picture showing at the drive-in was one of the Frankenstein movies. As you may remember, the monster had a distinctive way of walking. It was very rigid, with the arms held out in front, like he was continually reaching for something. At one point the monster was advancing on a soon to be victim. Katherine was watching in worried anticipation. Meanwhile in the back seat, Katherine's 11 year old (or so) sister, Trish, noticed the concern and worry on her sister's face. Thinking she could use comfort in this stressful part of the movie, she decided to do the most natural and probably least helpful thing. The monster is reaching out for the person, and Trish reaches out and pats Katherine on the shoulder. Everyone else in car, and probably those nearby, came off their seat when Katherine screamed.
Another, less dramatic example also happened at the drive-in. A group that included Katherine was watching another movie. Drive-Ins were a place to socialize in the 1950s, so it was natural to stop and visit with people. Frances Roth, a good friend of Katherine's and future wife of her brother George, saw Katherine and went over to exchange a few words. Katherine was focused on the movie, another suspenseful one, and came off of her seat when Frances poked her head in and said "Hi!"
Katherine got her first car at the age of 19, in 1955. The money she was making at the laundry had enabled her to buy her brother Jerry's 1949 Plymouth. Jerry had enlisted in the Air Force and after a stint at Lowery AFB was transferred out of state. He couldn't take the car with him, so this worked well for everyone. This was about the same time she got her driver's license. Katherine had been taught to drive by her brother, Jerry. As it turned out, she never did have to take the practical end of the test. By the time she had finished the written part, it was so close to quitting time that they just skipped it, and Katherine was a licensed driver.
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abt 1958 writing a letter to her future husband
1955 saw her brother George return from the Navy. He was back home in September. The following month was Halloween, so Katherine, Frances Roth, and Carol Farner (they all worked at the laundry together) all raided George's sea bag and became sailors for Halloween. While too old to trick or treat, they did go about town stopping in the occasional restaurant for a Coke, and showing off their costumes. The costumes were complete with cigars to add that extra degree of authenticity.
1957 saw the family move for the final time. This would be the final home the remaining kids would know before they moved out on their own. This house was located in Brighton, at 335 Strong Street. It would be Katherine's home for another 4 years.
While Katherine was still living on Pittman Hill, in late 1956 or 1957, she began writing to an Air Force serviceman named Earl Kretzer, who was stationed in Maine. A cousin of Katherine's, Mary Jane Roskop, was writing to one of Earl's fellow airmen, David Nichol. Mary Jane would tell David Nichol about Katherine. David Nichol would tell Mary Jane about Earl. Katherine liked what she heard about Earl in the letters, and Earl was equally curious about Katherine. So the two of them began to write each other. It wasn't too long before they were convinced they should be more than pen pals. They were soon writing each other, every day. Katherine would write a letter in the evening, and look forward to a response, from a prior letter, the next day.
The two of them corresponded for about three years before they actually "met" in February 1960. Earl was on leave from his Air Force duties. He was actually in between duty stations. He was being transferred from Maine to Alaska. Earl had taken a bus into Brighton, and spent the next two weeks at the Gordon Hotel in Brighton. Katherine and Earl spent the evenings (Katherine was working during the day) doing the normal "couple" things. The took in a movie and saw a high school basketball game. Then on the front porch of her parents house, Earl asked Katherine to marry him. She said "Yes", and their future letters were now filled with the plans for their wedding.
As noted, Earl was going to Alaska, and Alaska was no place for a wife, even if the Air Force had allowed it. So for the moment they would have to wait until his Alaskan tour was done. That did not happen until early in 1961. In the meantime, the letters back and forth continued. Earl found additional work in Alaska, remodeling the Officer's Club, to earn extra money. One of his letters contained $300.00. While not much in today’s dollars, in 1961 that was enough to pay for their upcoming wedding. Earl had not
given his fiance a ring. Nome, Alaska did not have a place to buy one. So Earl ordered one from a catalogue and had it shipped to his bride, back in Colorado. It fit perfectly, and she was thrilled when it arrived.
1957 saw the family move for the final time. This would be the final home the remaining kids would know before they moved out on their own. This house was located in Brighton, at 335 Strong Street. It would be Katherine's home for another 4 years.
While Katherine was still living on Pittman Hill, in late 1956 or 1957, she began writing to an Air Force serviceman named Earl Kretzer, who was stationed in Maine. A cousin of Katherine's, Mary Jane Roskop, was writing to one of Earl's fellow airmen, David Nichol. Mary Jane would tell David Nichol about Katherine. David Nichol would tell Mary Jane about Earl. Katherine liked what she heard about Earl in the letters, and Earl was equally curious about Katherine. So the two of them began to write each other. It wasn't too long before they were convinced they should be more than pen pals. They were soon writing each other, every day. Katherine would write a letter in the evening, and look forward to a response, from a prior letter, the next day.
The two of them corresponded for about three years before they actually "met" in February 1960. Earl was on leave from his Air Force duties. He was actually in between duty stations. He was being transferred from Maine to Alaska. Earl had taken a bus into Brighton, and spent the next two weeks at the Gordon Hotel in Brighton. Katherine and Earl spent the evenings (Katherine was working during the day) doing the normal "couple" things. The took in a movie and saw a high school basketball game. Then on the front porch of her parents house, Earl asked Katherine to marry him. She said "Yes", and their future letters were now filled with the plans for their wedding.
As noted, Earl was going to Alaska, and Alaska was no place for a wife, even if the Air Force had allowed it. So for the moment they would have to wait until his Alaskan tour was done. That did not happen until early in 1961. In the meantime, the letters back and forth continued. Earl found additional work in Alaska, remodeling the Officer's Club, to earn extra money. One of his letters contained $300.00. While not much in today’s dollars, in 1961 that was enough to pay for their upcoming wedding. Earl had not
given his fiance a ring. Nome, Alaska did not have a place to buy one. So Earl ordered one from a catalogue and had it shipped to his bride, back in Colorado. It fit perfectly, and she was thrilled when it arrived.
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1961, Earl & Kathy. Mom is pregnant with David.
They were finally married on February 25, 1961, at St Augustine's church in Brighton. The wedding was a two day affair. Earl was again on leave between duty stations. He was next to report to Cheyenne, WY. But, his leave gave him enough time to take his bride to Kentucky, so Katherine could meet his family.
Katherine and Earl arrived in Cheyenne in March 1961, and they moved into an apartment on Day Street. They would live in six different places in Cheyenne. Moving as a better place was found, or as they needed room for their family. Those places, all rentals, included homes on 3117 Dillion Ave, 2910 Synder Street, 29th Street, a move across to the other side of 29th Street, and finally to 20th Street. They would be in Cheyenne for 5 years.
Katherine was pregnant within months of taking her vows. The birth of their first child was a much anticipated event. A baby shower was given by her sisters, and held at her sister, Min's house, in Brighton. Katherine kept close track of who had given what, so she could dutifully write out the thank you cards. David Charles Kretzer was born on February 14, 1962. What should have been the happiest day of Katherine's live turned tragic when her son was diagnosed with a birth defect, a hole in his diaphragm. This caused his death the very next day. He was buried there in Cheyenne.
This tragedy did not deter Katherine from wanting to become a mother, and late that year she became pregnant again. Her son, William (Bill) Earl, was born on July 2, 1963. Katherine recalls that when she went into labor and taken to the hospital, her physician was out of town. So the on-call doctor ended up handling the birth. While this was stressful there were no complications, and a few days later mother and child went home.
Two years later, on August 1, 1965, a second son, Darrin Edward, was born, there at the base hospital. Katherine's other son, Bill, was two at this time, and had become attached to his pacifier. Seeing this as unhealthy, and down right annoying, as upon losing it on one occasion they had to drive around, at night, for hours looking for a store that was open to buy another one. These were not the days of the 24 hour super market, so this was a very frustrating task. It was determined that little Bill would be told that his pacifier was the subject of a crime. He evidently bought the story that a mouse, who was living in the home at the time, had pilfered the pacifier (known as the Goink-Goink), and it was "all gone".
Katherine and Earl arrived in Cheyenne in March 1961, and they moved into an apartment on Day Street. They would live in six different places in Cheyenne. Moving as a better place was found, or as they needed room for their family. Those places, all rentals, included homes on 3117 Dillion Ave, 2910 Synder Street, 29th Street, a move across to the other side of 29th Street, and finally to 20th Street. They would be in Cheyenne for 5 years.
Katherine was pregnant within months of taking her vows. The birth of their first child was a much anticipated event. A baby shower was given by her sisters, and held at her sister, Min's house, in Brighton. Katherine kept close track of who had given what, so she could dutifully write out the thank you cards. David Charles Kretzer was born on February 14, 1962. What should have been the happiest day of Katherine's live turned tragic when her son was diagnosed with a birth defect, a hole in his diaphragm. This caused his death the very next day. He was buried there in Cheyenne.
This tragedy did not deter Katherine from wanting to become a mother, and late that year she became pregnant again. Her son, William (Bill) Earl, was born on July 2, 1963. Katherine recalls that when she went into labor and taken to the hospital, her physician was out of town. So the on-call doctor ended up handling the birth. While this was stressful there were no complications, and a few days later mother and child went home.
Two years later, on August 1, 1965, a second son, Darrin Edward, was born, there at the base hospital. Katherine's other son, Bill, was two at this time, and had become attached to his pacifier. Seeing this as unhealthy, and down right annoying, as upon losing it on one occasion they had to drive around, at night, for hours looking for a store that was open to buy another one. These were not the days of the 24 hour super market, so this was a very frustrating task. It was determined that little Bill would be told that his pacifier was the subject of a crime. He evidently bought the story that a mouse, who was living in the home at the time, had pilfered the pacifier (known as the Goink-Goink), and it was "all gone".
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abt Nov 1966
The Vietnam War was going full force at this time and a fear of any serviceman's wife was that her husband would be sent overseas. The fact that her husband's MOS was in construction was not a great comfort. Things that were built or being built could be bombed. It was almost inevitable that Earl would be reassigned and in the summer of 1966 he was. His new duties would take him overseas, but not to Vietnam. He was needed to construct an air base in Thailand. Thailand was not directly involved in the fighting, but it was still very scary for Katherine. Her fear was compounded by the impending birth of another baby.
Katherine was about seven months pregnant when Earl left. Being left alone, pregnant, with two young boys, was not a pleasurable thought. So it was decided that Katherine and the boys should move back down to Brighton. Katherine had her parents, a number of her sisters, and a set of grandparents to all help her and keep her company. Katherine moved into a house on South 2nd Ave, and on October 17, 1966 their first daughter, Sally Ann, was born. Sally was born at Fitzimmons Army Hospital, in Aurora. It was soon discovered that Sally had a problem with her hip joints. They had not finished forming. The doctors decided to put her in a cast, which she wore for 6 weeks. The took care of the problem and Sally hasn't been bothered by it since. Earl had been in Thailand for this entire time.
Earl's oversea duty ended in the summer of 1967. After a few weeks to spend with his family, Earl's orders came through and he, Kathy (Katherine had worked towards being called Kathy for awhile now), and the three kids were off to Warner Robins AFB, south of Macon, GA. The family moved into a rental home on Leota Circle. The house was painted pink, and was known as "The Pink House" in discussions years later.
The following year had another blessing and a near tragedy. On June 23, 1968, another son was born. Jayme Stephen arrived at the base hospital in Cheyenne. Jayme weighed over 9 pounds, and the doctors had thought that perhaps Kathy was carrying twins. Jayme was a handful growing up, so years later this story would be accompanied by the line "Can you imagine two of Jayme.?!"
Katherine was about seven months pregnant when Earl left. Being left alone, pregnant, with two young boys, was not a pleasurable thought. So it was decided that Katherine and the boys should move back down to Brighton. Katherine had her parents, a number of her sisters, and a set of grandparents to all help her and keep her company. Katherine moved into a house on South 2nd Ave, and on October 17, 1966 their first daughter, Sally Ann, was born. Sally was born at Fitzimmons Army Hospital, in Aurora. It was soon discovered that Sally had a problem with her hip joints. They had not finished forming. The doctors decided to put her in a cast, which she wore for 6 weeks. The took care of the problem and Sally hasn't been bothered by it since. Earl had been in Thailand for this entire time.
Earl's oversea duty ended in the summer of 1967. After a few weeks to spend with his family, Earl's orders came through and he, Kathy (Katherine had worked towards being called Kathy for awhile now), and the three kids were off to Warner Robins AFB, south of Macon, GA. The family moved into a rental home on Leota Circle. The house was painted pink, and was known as "The Pink House" in discussions years later.
The following year had another blessing and a near tragedy. On June 23, 1968, another son was born. Jayme Stephen arrived at the base hospital in Cheyenne. Jayme weighed over 9 pounds, and the doctors had thought that perhaps Kathy was carrying twins. Jayme was a handful growing up, so years later this story would be accompanied by the line "Can you imagine two of Jayme.?!"
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Sally, Bill, Darrin, and Jayme
The tragedy happened not long after Halloween. Kathy and Earl were interrupted by their son, Bill, coming into the kitchen and announcing that Darrin was on fire. After a startled silence both parents lept to their feet. Earl ran outside and Kathy filled a pot with water. They had the flames out in a few very long seconds. Taking only seconds to drop Bill, Sally, and Jayme off at the next door neighbor's, they rushed a badly burned Darrin, who had been playing with matches, off to the hospital. Traffic laws were ignored and Earl even blew through the gate checkpoint at the base entrance. This prompted a pursuit, by the base police, that ended at the hospital. That was straightened out in short order, but Darrin was the biggest cause for concern. He had 2nd & 3rd degree burns on his chest, leg, and chin. He was to spend more than a month in the hospital, most of it at the Brooke Army Medical Center (Texas Burn Center), in San Antonio, TX.
Not long after Darrin's return from Texas, Kathy and her family moved across town to a house at 203 Sewell Circle. They would spend the next four years there, with Bill, Darrin, and Sally starting school at the nearby Lindsey Elementary.
In the summer of 1973 Earl retired from the Air Force. He had put in twenty years with the military and was anxious to get into civilian life and earn a better living. Kathy and Earl decided that they would make their permanent home back in Brighton, CO. Sadly the trip from Warner Robins to Brighton was supposed to include a fifth child. But Mary Ann Kretzer was stillborn on June 29, 1972. The umbilical cord had wrapped around her neck. Her body was shipped to Brighton, to be buried near her parent’s future home.
After a week or so, car trip, that included stops in Alabama and Kentucky to visit Earl's extended family, the Kretzer's arrived in Colorado. They stayed with Kathy's parents for a few days, until they could find a place to live. That place was a duplex on Mather Circle, in town. Kathy and her family would live there for two years.
Earl had found work with the local school district in the Maintenance Department. Kathy and he wanted to buy a house of their own, as opposed to renting like they were and had been doing. This dream was realized when they bought a house in the Crown Homes subdivision of Brighton in 1975. The house, located at 280 Birch St, was brick 3 bedroom ranch. Due to problems with neighbors, Kathy and Earl would sell this house a year later.
Not long after Darrin's return from Texas, Kathy and her family moved across town to a house at 203 Sewell Circle. They would spend the next four years there, with Bill, Darrin, and Sally starting school at the nearby Lindsey Elementary.
In the summer of 1973 Earl retired from the Air Force. He had put in twenty years with the military and was anxious to get into civilian life and earn a better living. Kathy and Earl decided that they would make their permanent home back in Brighton, CO. Sadly the trip from Warner Robins to Brighton was supposed to include a fifth child. But Mary Ann Kretzer was stillborn on June 29, 1972. The umbilical cord had wrapped around her neck. Her body was shipped to Brighton, to be buried near her parent’s future home.
After a week or so, car trip, that included stops in Alabama and Kentucky to visit Earl's extended family, the Kretzer's arrived in Colorado. They stayed with Kathy's parents for a few days, until they could find a place to live. That place was a duplex on Mather Circle, in town. Kathy and her family would live there for two years.
Earl had found work with the local school district in the Maintenance Department. Kathy and he wanted to buy a house of their own, as opposed to renting like they were and had been doing. This dream was realized when they bought a house in the Crown Homes subdivision of Brighton in 1975. The house, located at 280 Birch St, was brick 3 bedroom ranch. Due to problems with neighbors, Kathy and Earl would sell this house a year later.
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Jayme and Darrin, abt 1978 Uncle Adam Schenfeld in the background
Buying a house was a big step for Kathy and Earl, especially economically. Prior to this Kathy had stayed at home to manage the house and raise the children. But with saving to buy a house, plus feeding and clothing four children in the high inflation days of the mid-1970s, Kathy had to begin working again. She found a job at a place called Prior in late 1973 or 1974. Prior was a clothing manufacturing shop. In truth it was about a half a step above a sweat shop. Kathy would be one of several women who operated a sewing machine, sewing cloths together. Kathy had learned how to sew as a kid, so this was one of the few marketable skills she had. And she was soon one of the better operators at the shop. But this was not a pleasant place to work. They were paid by the piece, but had a complicated set of parameters in which they were paid. You had to work there for weeks before you even understood how you were earning money. The shop was unionized in 1975, but that did not improved conditions and Kathy soon left.
In the summer of 1976, Kathy, Earl, and the four kids moved from the house on Birch St, into a house on the north side of Brighton. The house, at 327 N. 12th Ave, would be "the home" remembered by the children and the one where the family would spend the majority of their time together. The Kretzers were the second owner of the house, as it was only a few years old when they bought it. A nice four bedroom ranch, it was situated within walking distance to all the schools and had a park and fields nearby for the kids to play at.
1976 saw Katherine leave Prior for a new career. Another marketable skill learned at home was cooking. Kathy had been cooking most of her life, too. Being the eldest girl and have 13 brothers and sisters, cooking was something she had been exposed to very early on. So with this skill on her resume, she applied at School District 27-J, to be a cook at one of the schools. This was the same school district that her husband worked and that her kids attended. She was hired and started to work Labor Day weekend, 1976. She worked at several of the local schools, starting at North Junior High School, where her son, Bill, was attending. She had stints at Southeast Elementary, and ended up at the Bakery, making the rolls and cookies used by all of the district schools. Katherine would work for the school district until she retired at age 61, in 1995.
The twenty years from 1976 to 1995 were filled with the normal family occurrences. School activities such as plays, concerts, and graduations of all levels. There were Little League baseball games and the inevitable trips to the hospital for accidents or illness. In 1981, Bill graduated from High School. Four years later he had moved out and would be starting his own family. He was actually not the first of the children to move out. Sally had turned 18 while a senior in High School and moved out about November of 1984. The others would follow soon enough, but Kathy would not truly have an empty nest for a long time. As quick as the last would move out, another would move back home for a while.
In the summer of 1976, Kathy, Earl, and the four kids moved from the house on Birch St, into a house on the north side of Brighton. The house, at 327 N. 12th Ave, would be "the home" remembered by the children and the one where the family would spend the majority of their time together. The Kretzers were the second owner of the house, as it was only a few years old when they bought it. A nice four bedroom ranch, it was situated within walking distance to all the schools and had a park and fields nearby for the kids to play at.
1976 saw Katherine leave Prior for a new career. Another marketable skill learned at home was cooking. Kathy had been cooking most of her life, too. Being the eldest girl and have 13 brothers and sisters, cooking was something she had been exposed to very early on. So with this skill on her resume, she applied at School District 27-J, to be a cook at one of the schools. This was the same school district that her husband worked and that her kids attended. She was hired and started to work Labor Day weekend, 1976. She worked at several of the local schools, starting at North Junior High School, where her son, Bill, was attending. She had stints at Southeast Elementary, and ended up at the Bakery, making the rolls and cookies used by all of the district schools. Katherine would work for the school district until she retired at age 61, in 1995.
The twenty years from 1976 to 1995 were filled with the normal family occurrences. School activities such as plays, concerts, and graduations of all levels. There were Little League baseball games and the inevitable trips to the hospital for accidents or illness. In 1981, Bill graduated from High School. Four years later he had moved out and would be starting his own family. He was actually not the first of the children to move out. Sally had turned 18 while a senior in High School and moved out about November of 1984. The others would follow soon enough, but Kathy would not truly have an empty nest for a long time. As quick as the last would move out, another would move back home for a while.
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At the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN-2003
Kathy's children started their own families, and with that came grandchildren. The first from her son Bill, was Jolene Elizabeth Kretzer, born on August 29, 1984. There would be eight more to follow; Shane Anthony Chiquito (Sally), on May 4, 1987, Jessica Mae Kretzer (Bill) on February 7, 1989, Arielle Marie Chiquito (Sally), on August 3, 1989, Shasta Jo Kretzer (Darrin) on September 20, 1990, Brandon Lee Kretzer (Jayme) on May 14, 1991, Kayla Brianne Kretzer (Darrin), on February 17, 1994, Colton Earl Kretzer (Darrin), on November 14, 1996, and Tanner Kretzer on March 5, 2002. All were born healthy and only a bit of asthma and an occasional broken bone have stained those charts.
Earl Kretzer retired in 1993 and was soon diagnosed with emphysema. It would get progressively worse, and on November 4, 2005 it finally took his life. The two slim consolations was that Kathy no longer had to watch her mate deteriorate and worry about him, and she was able to make peace with the event before it happened. But what she did not foresee was the extreme loneliness that Earl's death brought. Kathy decided within the next week, that she did not want to live alone. She invited her daughter, Sally, and her two kids to live with her.Sally was in the midst of divorce and the situation worked well for both.
Earl Kretzer retired in 1993 and was soon diagnosed with emphysema. It would get progressively worse, and on November 4, 2005 it finally took his life. The two slim consolations was that Kathy no longer had to watch her mate deteriorate and worry about him, and she was able to make peace with the event before it happened. But what she did not foresee was the extreme loneliness that Earl's death brought. Kathy decided within the next week, that she did not want to live alone. She invited her daughter, Sally, and her two kids to live with her.Sally was in the midst of divorce and the situation worked well for both.
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In the summer of 2008, Kathy had a bout of pneumonia, which she recovered from. Several months later, on Oct 10, 2008, Kathy became a great-grandmother when her grandson’s (Shane Chiquito) future wife, Chelsea Dewey, gave birth to Preston Chiquito. Kathy was nearly giddy, and Sally brought the baby around often to show off her first grandson.
On November 23rd of the same year, the symptoms of the past summer’s pneumonia returned, but returning with them was a mild heart attack. Kathy was taken to Platte Valley Medical Center, in Brighton where she was admitted and a serious to tests and treatments began. She was ultimately diagnosised with several blockages and coronary artery disease. This meant a very invasive surgical procedure and time in the hospital. Thanksgiving was spent her hospital room that year, with everyone coming to visit and several plates of food brought by.
Bypass surgery to treat the blockages was done on Dec 8th. Up until then Kathy had been miserable. She felt fine and wanted to go home. But the doctors knew it was too dangerous, the blockages could prevent enough blood flow at any time, and she might die before she got back to the hospital. So she just had to lie around a wait. The day of the surgery was an all day affair, in which family from all over the area was there waiting for news. The procedure went well, but Kathy’s recovery was very slow. It took until Christmas before she was mostly herself, mentally.
The drugs that they use to keep you sedated, while on the ventilator have the effect of muddling your short term memory and suppressing your normal, conscience, self. A person trying to shake off the effects will talk nonsense, evaluating situations by exaggerating some small details or completely suppressing the obvious. She would insist that a certain male nurse wanted to see her naked or that she was perfectly fit to go home, even though she could barely shift around the bed, much less get up unassisted. It is amusing now, but at the time it was a cause for concern for her loved ones, as it was so out of character.
We celebrated Christmas in the Medical Center of Aurora, where Kathy had her surgery. That was also tough for everyone, especially Kathy who desperately wanted to go home. The week after Christmas she was deemed healthy enough to go to a rehab facility. She ended up spending something over a week, going home on Jan 9, 2009, in the rehab facility. Everyone rejoiced and Kathy soon began a twelve week Cardio-rehab program to get her stronger and self sufficient again.
On November 23rd of the same year, the symptoms of the past summer’s pneumonia returned, but returning with them was a mild heart attack. Kathy was taken to Platte Valley Medical Center, in Brighton where she was admitted and a serious to tests and treatments began. She was ultimately diagnosised with several blockages and coronary artery disease. This meant a very invasive surgical procedure and time in the hospital. Thanksgiving was spent her hospital room that year, with everyone coming to visit and several plates of food brought by.
Bypass surgery to treat the blockages was done on Dec 8th. Up until then Kathy had been miserable. She felt fine and wanted to go home. But the doctors knew it was too dangerous, the blockages could prevent enough blood flow at any time, and she might die before she got back to the hospital. So she just had to lie around a wait. The day of the surgery was an all day affair, in which family from all over the area was there waiting for news. The procedure went well, but Kathy’s recovery was very slow. It took until Christmas before she was mostly herself, mentally.
The drugs that they use to keep you sedated, while on the ventilator have the effect of muddling your short term memory and suppressing your normal, conscience, self. A person trying to shake off the effects will talk nonsense, evaluating situations by exaggerating some small details or completely suppressing the obvious. She would insist that a certain male nurse wanted to see her naked or that she was perfectly fit to go home, even though she could barely shift around the bed, much less get up unassisted. It is amusing now, but at the time it was a cause for concern for her loved ones, as it was so out of character.
We celebrated Christmas in the Medical Center of Aurora, where Kathy had her surgery. That was also tough for everyone, especially Kathy who desperately wanted to go home. The week after Christmas she was deemed healthy enough to go to a rehab facility. She ended up spending something over a week, going home on Jan 9, 2009, in the rehab facility. Everyone rejoiced and Kathy soon began a twelve week Cardio-rehab program to get her stronger and self sufficient again.
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March 13, 2010, at her sister Cel's 70th birthday party.
The rehab program went well, but she had to fight off pneumonia for a third time in April. Kathy was feeling healthy, better than she had in a long time. Her weight was down and she felt stronger. On May 28th, she was at her next to last rehab session doing some basic stretching exercises, when she collapsed. It is standard protocol for rehab patients to be hooked up to a heart monitor while doing their exercises. Because of the data available on the monitor, her therapist could see that her heart was not beating correctly and she summoned help. As the rehab facility is in Platte Valley Medical Center, doctors, nurses, and all manner of assistance appeared instantly. They shocked here heart back into normal rthym and Kathy was once again admitted to the hospital.
It was soon discovered that her bypasses had collapsed. The coronary artery disease had not left her arteries and veins in very good shape. Another bypass surgery was needed. That was done on June 8th. This was very risky surgery as the doctor was not confident that the best veins and arteries left for doing the bypass would do the job. The only other alternative was to do nothing and wait for the next cardiac event to take her. Kathy had made her peace with it and asked for last rites before hand. But, she came through the surgery with flying colors and even came off the ventilator a day later. Her first surgery had taken a week’s worth of that machine until she was strong enough.
Her rehab went well, but she had several stumbling blocks, poor monitoring of her salt intake and a prescription mistake that cost her extra time during rehab. She was able to go home for good, on July 23rd. This may have been the happiest day of her life. Unlike the first time, Kathy’s mind had not been clouded with the after effects of the drugs and was both completely herself and anxious to go home the whole time. The lack of a say in her day to day activities, outside of lie in bed, sit in the chair, or go for a short walk, was maddening. She started her Cardio-rehab therapy again, soon after going home and completed her last session on December 11th.
Thanksgiving and Christmas were both celebrated in the traditional manner and all family members were extremely thankful that this chapter was over. All of Kathy’s children chipped in and gave her a treadmill for Christmas so she could continue to walk while the weather was bad. She had begun a regiment of that exercise to gain strength and work her heart.
There was other good news. Chelsea was pregnant again, and the coming spring would see Kathy with her second great-grandchild. Rylee Jacob Chiquito was born on April 25, 2010. I have always thought that because of the way Kathy had lived her life; in a very pious and Christian manner, God had allowed her this final blessing. Because a less than a month later, on May 20, 2010, Kathy passed away after competing one of her treadmill walks. She likely suffered a cardiac event similar to the one a rehab the previous year, and went quietly, peacefully, and without pain.
The funeral was on May 25th, and Kathy was buried beside Earl in Elmwood Cemetery, in Brighton.
It was soon discovered that her bypasses had collapsed. The coronary artery disease had not left her arteries and veins in very good shape. Another bypass surgery was needed. That was done on June 8th. This was very risky surgery as the doctor was not confident that the best veins and arteries left for doing the bypass would do the job. The only other alternative was to do nothing and wait for the next cardiac event to take her. Kathy had made her peace with it and asked for last rites before hand. But, she came through the surgery with flying colors and even came off the ventilator a day later. Her first surgery had taken a week’s worth of that machine until she was strong enough.
Her rehab went well, but she had several stumbling blocks, poor monitoring of her salt intake and a prescription mistake that cost her extra time during rehab. She was able to go home for good, on July 23rd. This may have been the happiest day of her life. Unlike the first time, Kathy’s mind had not been clouded with the after effects of the drugs and was both completely herself and anxious to go home the whole time. The lack of a say in her day to day activities, outside of lie in bed, sit in the chair, or go for a short walk, was maddening. She started her Cardio-rehab therapy again, soon after going home and completed her last session on December 11th.
Thanksgiving and Christmas were both celebrated in the traditional manner and all family members were extremely thankful that this chapter was over. All of Kathy’s children chipped in and gave her a treadmill for Christmas so she could continue to walk while the weather was bad. She had begun a regiment of that exercise to gain strength and work her heart.
There was other good news. Chelsea was pregnant again, and the coming spring would see Kathy with her second great-grandchild. Rylee Jacob Chiquito was born on April 25, 2010. I have always thought that because of the way Kathy had lived her life; in a very pious and Christian manner, God had allowed her this final blessing. Because a less than a month later, on May 20, 2010, Kathy passed away after competing one of her treadmill walks. She likely suffered a cardiac event similar to the one a rehab the previous year, and went quietly, peacefully, and without pain.
The funeral was on May 25th, and Kathy was buried beside Earl in Elmwood Cemetery, in Brighton.