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Grams' Legacy The Early Family Stories Expanded family review proof - complete stories EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 1
What Changed in This Proof 1 Each featured story is complete, so the pacing and page turns can be judged honestly. 2 Stories remain in one column, with no paragraph indents and one clear space between paragraphs. 3 The unreliable decorative first letter has been removed from these pages. 4 Pictures appear at different points in the narrative and keep their natural proportions. 5 Photographs alternate between larger opening features and quieter inset placements. 6 Paragraphs are kept intact at the bottom of pages to avoid widows and orphans. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 2
My Dad Nancy Ramhap My daddy, Earl Shockney Earl Van Camp Shockney was born November 5, 1907. The family lived in Westfield, IN, just north of Indianapolis. His father was Earl Victor Hugo Shockney, and his mother, Laura Belle Van Camp Shockney. (I called them Mother Belle and Pappy Dad.) Patrick O'Shaughnessy was an ancestor of Earl V. H., who came to the United States as an emigrant from Ireland, and joined the American Army to fight in the Revolutionary War. When he arrived in America the person taking his information didn't understand his last name and listed it as Shockney. There is another story as to the name alteration, but I am not so familiar with it. Anyhow - that side of the family is Irish. I don't remember too many Irish traditions, though. My Dad's father was a dentist. He had his office in Westfield, but later moved it to Arcadia, IN. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 3
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Dad Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 4 I remember him riding me up and down in his dental chair. Daddy's mother was of Dutch lineage. Her family were well-known in the Indianapolis area. Her father, George, developed the Van Camp Packing Co. They were instrumental in developing canned foods. The canning factory was housed in Westfield. They were noted for developing 'C-Rations' for the military. They later became known for Van Camp Pork and Beans, as well as many other canned vegetables. The company was later bought out by Stokely. Daddy was the elder of two sons. His brother, James (Jimmy) lost his life in his twenties in a motorcycle accident. Daddy graduated from Westfield High School; he attended DePauw University for a year, but then dropped out. He got a job selling shoes at Walkover Shoe Store in Indianapolis. Earl Shockney He had a great tenor voice. He took lessons from a woman in Indianapolis and sang for many organizations in the area. I remember him talking about singing on the radio in Indianapolis, accompanying himself with his banjo. In later years he sang in the church choir. He and Mother were married in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression. He, like many others, lost his job. I was born December 26, 1932. After several months, I went to live with his parents until he could find work. He finally got a job driving a delivery truck for Continental Coffee. He later got a job at International Harvester in the factory, which he held for several years. When I was about 8, we moved to Arcadia. He was still working for I. H., traveling back and forth to Indy. While we lived there, he developed a strong interest in photography, and created a dark-room in our house. He really wanted to do photography full-time. He had a good eye, and became quite good at portraiture. Mary and I were often 'models' for him. After a year, we moved back to Indy and he continued to work at Harvester and developed his photographic skills. At last, he opened a small studio upstairs in a building on Alabama Street in Indy, while still working at I. H. It was about then that he and Mother bought the little house on Harbison at the East edge of Indianapolis. A few years later, in 1947, he bought a portrait studio in Franklin, IN., and we moved there. I was starting my sophomore year in Highschool. The portrait business did pretty well. Daddy was a good salesman. He supplemented the portrait photography with some commercial work that included Sorority and Fraternity portrait and class photos for the Franklin College yearbook. He photographed many weddings. I worked with my dad in the studio and with weddings. I helped in the dark-room, changed film for him at weddings, and helped with customers. The studio was on the second floor, just off the main street, Jefferson Street. I think Daddy wanted something a little more accessible and visible. He found out that there was a very small card shop on Jefferson St, owned by an older man who was thinking about retiring. Daddy spoke with him and the owner, Mr. Ardinger, thought Daddy could put his darkroom upstairs, and his studio behind the shop proper. So, Daddy moved. Eventually, Mr. Ardinger retired and Daddy bought the shop. Soon after, Hallmark Cards came out. A salesman came to see Daddy to see about placing Hallmark cards in the shop. This was the introduction of Hallmark in Franklin. Daddy agreed and that helped the business immensely. Daddy gave me the task of keeping the cards filled. We bought Hallmark wrapping papers and offered gift-wrapping to our customers. I got 10 cents for every package I wrapped for a customer. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 4
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Dad Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 5 Daddy was very friendly. He was usually happy and could often be heard whistling. He had a gift of 'gab', which helped him promote his photography. It was fun working with him. Away from the shop, we enjoyed singing and/or whistling together. This would usually happen when we washed dishes together. One time we sang a duet in church. That was very special to me! Daddy was a hard worker, but the shop wasn't bringing in much money. This was about the time I got married. I remember how Mother and Daddy took out a loan to pay for my wedding. My wedding dress alone was $100.00! My mother's friend catered a wedding breakfast in her home for the wedding party. Another friend made the bridesmaid's dresses. The reception was held at the Student Center on the campus of Franklin College. It was simple, but beautiful. But I know it set my parents back financially. Nancy and Daddy Shortly after I got married, Daddy decided they needed more income, so he took a job in the camera department of the W. H. Block Department Store in Indianapolis. Mother and Mary took over the shop. Daddy did photography on the side. Daddy did well selling cameras at Block's. Tape recorders were new on the market and Daddy bought one. He had fun recording with it, and developed a Tape Ministry at the church, recording the sermon on Sunday, copying it onto cassette tapes, and delivering them to shut-ins. He developed a group of volunteers to help. By now, Dick and I had two children, Rick and Sharon. Rick was about 5, Sharon 3. One Christmas, Mother and Daddy, Dick's Mom and Dad, and his aunt and uncle, were at our house. We always had such fun opening presents. Daddy had brought his tape recorder to record all our crazy comments. We had finished opening gifts, so Daddy rewound the tape so we could giggle at ourselves. The tape began playing but what we heard was not all of us. What we heard was Santa Claus!! We heard Santa pull up out in front and bump his way through the door. We heard him talk to himself as he placed the presents under the tree. We heard him as he dropped the bag and presents fell out. We heard him as he put the tags back on the presents. We heard him hide a gift for Rick behind the couch. We heard him go to the kitchen and find the snacks. He ate the snacks and then we heard him wash out the glass at the sink. We heard him gather everything up to leave. Then we heard him say, "Oh, no! I just bumped my bag on that tape recorder! I hope I didn't turn it on! Oh, well, I have to keep going! Merry Christmas, Ramhap's!" Well, everyone just sat there and looked at each other. What had we just heard? All of a sudden, we realized something. As we were opening gifts, one of the men had opened a gift that was a woman's handkerchief! One of the women had opened a gift that was a men's handkerchief! Then we remembered that Santa had dropped his bag and had to put tags back on the packages that fell out! And they got on the wrong gifts! All of a sudden, Rick jumped up and looked behind the couch and found the gift Santa had hidden there! We all just couldn't believe what had just happened! Later, when Rick and Sharon were out of the room, my Dad started grinning! HE was Santa on the tape! He had spent weeks preparing that tape. He had disguised his voice so well that even I didn't recognize him!! My mother had wrapped the gifts putting the wrong tags on them. They had even brought the snacks they had the kids put out for Santa the night before! It was PERFECTION!! Daddy's territory for his job was the lower two-thirds of Indiana, and the northern part of Kentucky. He was a good salesman - in fact, one year he won a Grand-prix auto!! EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 5
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Dad Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 6 Mary had been married in 1960. My parents had no more children at home. Daddy's income was good, and he and Mother could have a little fun. They did some traveling. In 1967, Canada was hosting "Expo '67" - a world's fair. This sounded exciting. So, Mother and Daddy, Dick and I, our, now 4 kids as well as are friends, Dick and Jan Vellinger decided to go. Mother and Daddy bought a small trailer, while we borrowed one, and the Vellinger's took their's - and off we went. I mentioned that we had 4 children. Ron was born in 1963 and Susie in December of 1966. She was just 7 months old at the time. So, Daddy built a crib into their trailer for her. We had a great time, and extended our trip from Montreal, Quebec, to Ottawa, Ontario. At about this time Daddy got interested in wood carving. He started making belt buckles. He carved initials into them. The guys each wore them on their belts, but we girls thought we should have them, too. So, Daddy made ours into necklaces with roses. He went on to carve other things; the state of Indiana, cardinals, eagles, and clocks in the shape of an eagle or a rose for each family. Mother and Daddy were wonderful grandparents. They would invite our kids to spend time with them. They took them to the park, put them on a float for a parade, played games. They had a special drawer in the kitchen just for grandkids. They would put small toys, the items that were in cereal boxes, and whatever else that they thought the kids would like into that drawer. Needless to say, that drawer was the first place the kids would go when they visited. In the years when our kids were growing up Mother and Daddy were very much a part of our lives. It was a 90-minute drive from Franklin to Lafayette, and they were always there for new babies, birthdays and holidays and whatever else was going on. Daddy finally had to retire from his traveling job, but he wasn't done working yet. He worked in the local hardware store as a clerk. He knew everybody who came in. In about 1977 or 1978, Mother developed bladder cancer. This was a shock to all of us. She had always been healthy. She had surgery to remove the bladder. Daddy took over the cooking and caring for Mother. She recovered and gradually got back to her Bridge club. She stayed positive but after a time she became weaker. In August, 1979, Daddy called me and asked me to come down. She had become very weak and was not responding. When I got there we decided to call an ambulance to take her to the hospital. We took turns staying with her, and called Mary and Hank and Dick and told them to come. They came the next day. Meanwhile, the nurses were not aware of how to change an ostomy bag, so Daddy showed them how. I'll never forget watching him as he so gently took care of it. Mother passed away on August 31, 1979, at the age of 73, and her funeral was on September 3, Labor Day. The minister quoted Proverbs: 31 in his sermon, a very fitting description of Mother! She is buried In the Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Arcadia, IN. Daddy was very lonely after Mother died. He tried to keep busy, working at the hardware store and volunteering at church. He was active in the wood-carver club which met in Columbus, IN, and after a while became the President. They held monthly meetings. One time when he was conducting a meeting, he was introduced to a woman visitor. She had come as a guest of a member, and wanted to meet him. Her name was Maxine. She returned for later meetings and they became interested in each other and began dating. One day, when we were having a family get-together at our house, with the Youngs there too. Daddy called Mary and I aside and told us he and Maxine were going to get married! It was a shock! It was hard to imagine him being remarried. But he told us how lonely he was and that they really enjoyed each other's company. Of course, we wanted Daddy to be happy, so we told him it was ok. Then, we told our husbands and they didn't think that was a good idea at all!! They had each had a great relationship with Mother and just couldn't imagine someone taking her place. Maxine was a good woman and fun to be with, but her personality was a complete opposite of Mother's. The wedding was held in the chapel at the Presbyterian Church. Daddy and Maxine were married for 15 years. They had many good times together and with our families. And Daddy wasn't lonely anymore! EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 6
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Dad Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 7 Daddy's wood carving led to an interest in creating furniture items. He made magazine holders and end tables. He put the finishing touch on them by carving designs in them. Then he found out he was going to become a Great-grandfather! That is when he created his Masterpiece - a cradle to be handed down to all his great-grandchildren. He made it out of maple and carved flowers in it. The first great-grandchild to sleep in the cradle was Lauren, daughter of Sharon and Bob, who was born September 6, 1985. To date, 16 great-grandchildren have slept in it, as well as 6 great-great-grandchildren! Hank figured out a way to take the cradle apart so that it could be transported to the various families. It has been transported from Indiana, to Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Michigan, and California! But, most recently, back to Michigan. With each new baby a small brass plate with the child's name and birthdate is attached to the cradle. Who knows how many more of Daddy's descendants will use this beautiful heirloom? Daddy had been a smoker all his life, but when Mother got sick, he put his pipe in an ashtray in the living room, where he passed it every day, but never picked it up. He stopped smoking "cold -turkey"! Unfortunately, the habit of a lifetime finally caught up with him. Emphysema! He acquired a 'new friend' that accompanied him wherever he went, an oxygen tank. But that tank didn't slow him down too much. He continued his volunteering with the church and with a local service group, taking his tank with him wherever he went, to visit shut-ins. He was honored one year with the local Volunteer of the Year award for his service. As time went on, the Emphysema got worse. Maxine did a good job of taking care of him and we are so grateful to her for that. But he got worse and went to the hospital. I remember the last time I visited with him. I drove to Franklin to the hospital and went into his room. He wasn't talking. All I could do was just tell him how much I loved him and thank him for being such a good daddy and grandfather. I stayed for a while, and finally had to leave, and drive back home. It was a tough trip. He died at the age of 89, on April 9, 1997. The funeral was 2 days later. God has a way of bringing joy in the midst of sadness, though. Because Ron and Mary Ann's daughter, Emily, was born on April 11, 1997, the day of Daddy's funeral! Daddy is buried beside Mother in the cemetery in Arcadia, IN. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 7
My Mother Nancy Ramhap My mother, Erith Powell Shockney, in her first car My mother, Erith Powell, was born in Beattyville, KY, on November 23, 1905. She was the youngest of 7 living children. Her younger brother, Hobert, died shortly after birth. Her parents, Charles Powell, and Martha Ann Shoemaker Powell, were from Kentucky and were married when Martha Ann was 16. Mother's siblings were: Ida, Leonard, Fanny, Herbert, Inez, and Earl. The family were farmers. When Mother was in the third grade her family moved from Beattyville to Sheridan, Indiana. Her sister, Ida, who had married and was living in Sheridan, was having a difficult pregnancy, so the family moved to help care for her. Mother graduated from Sheridan High School in 1923. She went to a business school in Indianapolis, and later worked as a bookkeeper at the Seville Restaurant, on North Meridian Street, in Indianapolis. I remember going there when I was small and having Filet of Sole. I think the restaurant opened in 1929, and she must have worked there for several years, because I think I was about 4 when I went there (around 1936-37). One of the popular entrees served by the Seville was Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti. Mother was able to get the recipe from the chef, and it became a favorite with our family. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 8
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Mother Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 9 Earl Shockney, who later became my dad, worked at the Walkover shoe store on the corner of North Meridian and Washington streets, just around the corner from the Seville. His boss and Mother's boss decided that they would introduce Erith and Earl to each other. And so, the romance began! I'm not sure when they began dating, but they were married February 6, 1932. They were products of the Roaring Twenties. They talked about doing the Charleston and the Shimmy dances. Jazz was very popular. And women changed their wardrobes for Flapper dresses and "bobbed" hair. My mother owned her own car! Then came the Great Depression. My dad lost his job, probably shortly after I was born (December 26, 1932). I don't know all the details, but I know that I went to live with Daddy's parents, Earl and Laura Belle Shockney, for a while. Finally, Daddy got a job driving a delivery truck for Continental Coffee, and I was able to go back home. Erith Powell Shockney Mother had adopted a new nickname - "Billie". Erith was a very unusual name, often confused with Edith. She became Billie to all her friends. The only people who called her Erith were her sisters and brothers. Mother had been raised on a farm but didn't know how to cook! She taught herself by reading cookbooks. She collected recipes and put out some great meals. Her desserts were wonderful. She was very good at decorating. She loved growing and arranging flowers. She was always checking out new ideas to improve our home. Later in life, after I was married, she took up oil painting. She took a correspondence course and did very well. One of her paintings was a portrait of me in my wedding dress! She later did paintings of her grandchildren. Another thing that interested Mother was 'information'. She would want to know about something, and since we owned a set of Encyclopedia Brittanica, she would go to a volume to look up the information. After checking that out, her eye would catch another subject, and then another. She would have loved the internet! Mother became very interested in the game 'Bridge'. She belonged to Bridge clubs for as long as I can remember. She became very good at it and later taught it. It was very popular in the '30's and '40's, but she had a bridge club most of her life. Those were her dearest friends. Games were important entertainment in our family. Mother and Daddy played Bridge with their friends, but as a family we played Rummy, 500 Rum, Dirty Eights, Solitaire, and Russian Bank. Later we played Euchre, Canasta, and Shanghai Rummy. Mother and Daddy belonged to a Dinner Club, consisting of four couples. They would meet at each other's homes for dinner and then play games afterward. I remember one night when they were at our house. I was upstairs, listening to their conversation. Finally, they turned off all the lights and played 'Sardines'. I later found out that one person would hide. The rest were to find the first person, and after finding him or her, would stay beside the first, until all 8 were in the same place. The game was called Sardines because all 8 ended up side-by-side like sardines in a can. One man who came liked to bring tricks with him. One night he brought a piece if narrow hose attached to a bulb. Secretly he placed the hose under someone's plate, then during dinner he would squeeze the bulb and the other person's plate would wobble. This was in the late '30's, after the Great Depression and just before Pearl Harbor. Everyone was trying to have some fun while recovering from the depression. Soon, however, we would be at war with Japan. Mother volunteered to be a Girl Scout leader when I was old enough to join. She was great at planning and organizing activities and outings. As a Scout I remember going downtown in Indianapolis and selling War Bonds. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 9
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Mother Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 10 One of Mother's service projects was volunteering at the Little Red Door - the American Cancer Center. I think the volunteers made bandages, and helped with getting out publications. She belonged to a Service Sorority - Phi Beta Psi. This group did lots of service projects. It was a national organization of women. I remember that one year they had a convention in Colorado, and Mother and Daddy went. It was a big occasion and a wonderful trip for them. Mother had become the National Treasurer. Another time, there was a convention in Chicago, and we all went. Daddy and Mary and I stayed at the home of the parents of one of Mother's friends. Her friend was attending the convention, too. On Saturday morning, the woman's mother brought out the most delicious Swedish biscuits! They were soft and hot. She brought out cheddar cheese slices, and everyone (but Mary and I) put a slice of cheese inside the biscuit, and then dunked the biscuit in their coffee. Mother acquired that recipe, and it has been a tradition in our family ever since. (Most of us prefer the hot biscuits without the cheese and coffee.) A family photograph Mother was always volunteering. Whether it was a service organization, scouts, or a church group, she was always available to do her part. Everyone loved Mother! When Mother was in her 50's, Daddy was traveling, selling photo equipment. Mother decided she needed to have a car so she could visit her daughters and grandchildren. So, they bought a baby-blue Volkswagen Beetle. How she loved that car! It made many trips to Lafayette, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Chicago. Many of the trips were to help Mary and I when we were having babies. One time she was coming back from Cedar Rapids in a snow storm. All at once her little Beetle ended nose-up on the embankment on the side of the highway. She didn't yet own a cell phone. But before long a tow truck happened along and pulled her out. She was soon on her way home! About that same time, she decided she wanted to learn to play the organ. So, they bought an organ and she taught herself to play. This was a new venture, but it brought her a lot of joy. That organ later came to our house, then, to Ron's, and later, it was given to Jeff, Mary's grandson. Eventually, Mother became a grandmother to my 5 children and to Mary's 3. She sewed for them, took them to the park, played with them, and had a special drawer in her kitchen where she would put the toys that came in cereal boxes, and other trinkets. When we came to visit, the first place the kids would run to was THE DRAWER to see what was new. Mary's son, Henry, gave Mother a new name - Hi Doll. When Mary's family arrived to visit one time, Mother greeted Henry with "Hi, Doll!". After that he decided to call her, "Hi, Doll". Mother had 2 pet dogs. First, a little poodle, who she named, Suzanne. Later a little dachshund, who she named, Bonnie. They went wherever she went. Mother was a pretty healthy lady. So, it came as a shock to find out she had bladder cancer! She had surgery to remove her bladder, called a urostomy, which meant she would wear a pouch for the rest of her life. She learned how to care for the pouch and how to change it. But she went on with life. She submitted to one chemotherapy treatment, then said, "That's enough of that!". It was when she was in the hospital that I found out her true age. The nurse had gone into her room to ask her some questions, so Daddy and I went out into the hall. I heard the nurse ask her for her birthdate, and she answered, November 23, 1905. I looked at Daddy, and he had a smile on his face. For years I had thought they were both born in November, 1907. Now, I realized she was 2 years older than Daddy! Daddy said, "I didn't know it either, until she had to apply for Social Security!". EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 10
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Mother Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 11 Mother was in a hospital bed at home for a while after surgery, and Daddy took care of her. I was able to spend several days with her, and she asked me to read a book she had about Moses. She told me she had found the book in an antique store. When she told the store owner how much she liked Moses, he said that he did, too. And then he gave her the book. I think she had read the book but wanted to hear it again. So, we spent several days reading it. It was a special time with my mother! After a while she was able to resume some of her activities. She went to bridge club one day, and even showed her pouch to her friends and educated them as to how it worked. She was gutsy! The cancer and surgery did slow her down, but I don't remember her as becoming negative. She handled it with dignity and Grace. After several months, it was apparent that she was failing. My Uncle Earl from Cincinnati arranged for a family get-together in, Indiana. Mother didn't feel very well, but, being Mother, she really wanted to go. Mother and Daddy, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Earl, Mary and Hank and their 3 children, Dick and I and our 5, plus Rick's guest attended. It was a very bittersweet day! It was so good to be with all of our family but the nagging thought that we might not have Mother much longer was in the hearts of us all. The family home at 150 Yandes Street, Franklin, Indiana Daddy was trying his best to care for Mother. Finally, he gave me a call and asked me to come. Mother was not responding. It was apparent to me that we needed help. We called the ambulance and got her to the hospital. I called home and asked Dick to come. I called Mary and she said she and Hank would be down from Chicago the next day. It was a very long night. Mother was not responding. Her kidneys had shut down. The nurses had no knowledge of how to handle a urostomy bag -so- there in the hospital, Daddy showed them how. It was such a precious moment to see him so tenderly taking care of Mother! I had the privilege to be at Mother's side, talking to her and singing to her! Dick, Mary, and Hank came the next day. We all said our goodbyes. We cried. Our husbands were so attentive to us. They both had developed a wonderful relationship with Mother over the years. She had come to our homes when our children were born and she and they looked after each other as well as taking care of our kids. The funeral was on Labor Day, 1979. The minister related Proverbs 31 - The Praise of a Good Wife. Very fitting! Mother is buried in the Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Arcadia, IN, near her mother and father. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 11
My Little Sister, Mary Ruth Nancy Ramhap Our family Christmas card October 24, 1940 - the day I received one of the most precious gifts of my life. My baby sister, Mary Ruth. What a precious baby! I was almost 8 years old. I'm not sure how many babies I had encountered up to that point. I don't think too many. But this one was amazing - so tiny, so cute, with blue eyes and blonde hair. I had many dolls, but none could compare to this wonderful creature! She could coo, she could cry, she could smile, she could move. I wondered, was I this small? My mother assured me that I was. Days went by and Mary began to grow and develop a personality. She actually laughed out loud! Then she learned to crawl - and could get herself just about anywhere she wanted! Then came the day she could walk by herself! Oh, my! There was no stopping her! I really enjoyed watching her develop. She celebrated her first birthday. Our Great-aunt Honey brought her a birthday cake that I thought was so cute. On the top were animal crackers arranged like a merry-go-round! Mary thought it was delicious! EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 12
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Little Sister, Mary Ruth Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 13 Mary continued to grow and develop and eventually learned to talk. I remember one day when Mary wanted to go into the hallway, but the door was hooked. Mother came over to open the door for her, but she exclaimed, "I'm big enough to open this door, you think I amn't!" Our dad was into photography, and we were his subjects. He and Mother created Christmas cards every year which usually featured photos of Mary and I. Mary tells me today that she considered herself a pest to me. I really don't remember it that way, but if I made her feel she was a pest, I'm truly sorry! I only have happy memories of our relationship. Eight years is a big difference, though, and I am sure my interests were completely different from hers. Daddy, Nancy, and Mary Mary took dance lessons. She loved dancing and continued even into high school. She took ballet and tap, and had a partner, Mike. They did several performances together. When I got married, Mary was 12, and was my junior bridesmaid. I was so proud of her! My marriage separated Mary and I on a daily basis. Dick and I moved to Quantico, Va., where Dick was in Officer's training. Mary and Mother came to visit us and we toured Washington, DC. But after 6 months Dick was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA, to complete his training. We were there 3 months and then he was sent to Japan. His parents came out on the train and drove our car - and me -back to Indiana, to South Bend. I moved into a small apartment which I shared with another girl, Jane. I got a job at the telephone company as a teller, and later became a service representative. I made several trips by bus from South Bend to Franklin for a weekend visit with my parents and Mary. After 15 months, in March, 1955, Dick returned. He had spent time in Japan and in Korea, as part of the Occupation forces after the armistice. When Dick returned, he applied for and was accepted as a buyer in the Purchasing Department at Purdue University. We moved to West Lafayette, IN. After a couple of years, we had our first child, Rick. I will never forget Mary coming to visit. She took that baby in her arms and rocked him, all the time grinning from ear to ear! From that moment she became "Aunt Mary"! When our Sharon was born in 1959, Mary came to live with us. She got a job at Purdue, and met Hank. That relationship led to marriage on October 23, 1960. oth of our children were in the wedding. Rick was a 3½ year-old ring bearer, and Sharon, at 15 months, was the flower girl. Our neighbor, who was a guest, was seated strategically on the aisle, and as Sharon came by, she picked Sharon up and put her in her lap. Meanwhile, as the wedding progressed, Rick stood quietly with the wedding party, twirling the ring pillow. Mary and Hank moved to Chicago. Their first child, Henry, was born there. Later, they moved to Iowa. At some point they moved back to Chicago. In the meantime, we had added another son, Ron. Then they had Martha and we followed with Susie. Next, they had Andy and we had Nancy. It was always fun for these kids to be together. As they got older, they always found a way to entertain us. Andy was the musical one and he would organize shows for us adults. Those were such happy times! EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 13
THE FAMILY BEFORE HER My Little Sister, Mary Ruth Nancy Ramhap EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 14 Some of our best times were the weeks we spent at Lake Freeman in Monticello, IN. We rented a big fishing lodge and our parents and Dick's mother would join us. We did that for several years. The Young's brought a boat along, and we'd borrow the neighbor's pontoon. Many wonderful memories! As the years have passed, we have taken a number of vacations together. One of the most memorable was to Lake Okiboji in Iowa. Another was just Mary and Hank and Dick and I on their sailboat. We sailed up Lake Michigan from Racine, Wisconsin, to Door County, then to Fayette, Escanaba, and back to Racine. When Hank and Mary celebrated their 40th Anniversary, we flew to Hawaii! The 4 of us also made a couple of trips to Florida. Such wonderful memories! When I think about Mary I am in awe. She is much more adventurous than I am! Sometimes from necessity, and sometimes just because she is determined to do something. One time when Hank lost his job, Mary went to work. She sold Avon products, working her way up to Manager. Then she joined a travel agency. Later, she joined another travel agency in Chicago, and made trips to China and to England. That company moved to Bloomington, IN, so she and Hank moved there. She was very proficient with the computer. She is a great wife and mother. She had to make a tough decision to send her son out on his own. That proved to be a very good decision. He now is married, the father of two boys, and has his own business. Her other children are doing well, also. She now has 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Mary is quite the quilter! I don't know how many quilts she has made. She has made them for her kids, my kids, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren! The one she made for Our 50th Anniversary is one of my precious treasures, and is used on my bed every day! When I was about ten my Grandma Powell taught me to knit. I knitted a few things, but I taught Mary to knit. She has made many sweaters and shawls - and most have been given away to friends and to needy people in her church or area. Perhaps the most impressive attribute of my little sister is her amazing faith! Her faith has been strong since she was Baptized at 7. She is very aware of the needs of others. She has a knack for listening to others and picking up on their needs or concerns. She is quick to offer her listening ear or to assist in some way. She is 'tuned in' to God speaking to her, and will act accordingly. A little over a year ago she moved to Springfield, IL. Hank had died after a serious illness, during which Mary cared for him. Her children were scattered, so she prayed about where to move. She downsized her house, pretty much by herself, and put the house up for sale. She decided to move near her daughter, Martha, who lives near Springfield. She prayed that God would put her where He wanted her. She found a neighborhood with a number of duplexes and chose one. It is perfect for her. She has very quickly become acquainted with several of the neighbors, and has organized the "Lunch Bunch". She is quick to lend a helping hand or her listening ear to any of them. She has joined the Presbyterian Church in Springfield - the church Abraham Lincoln attended - and is very active In the Fiber arts group and as a docent to show visitors around the church. It was hard for her to leave her many friends in Bloomington, but she stays in contact with them. Some have come to visit and she has made trips back to see them. She drives everywhere - back to Bloomington, to Chicago and to Grand Rapids, and sometimes to Sturgis to see me. I treasure the times we can be together, especially when I visit her in Springfield. EARLY FAMILY - FULL STORY PROOF 14
LIST TREATMENT Favorite Memories with My Sister Mary A lighter pause after the full story - easy to browse and remember. GROWING UP TOGETHER An adorable baby So much fun to watch her grow up An accomplished dancer My junior bridesmaid WEDDING AND FAMILY Her wedding - October 23, 1960 I was Matron of Honor; Rick was the ring bearer at age three; Sharon was the flower girl at fifteen months. Our families' vacations, including Lake Okoboji and summer weeks at Lake Freeman. TRAVELS AS COUPLES Sailing Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Escanaba Hawaii for Mary and Hank's 50th wedding anniversary Trips to Florida FAMILY MEMORY - LIST FEATURE 15