Yeah, I certainly dropped the ball on this one all through the Holidays. And then some. *eek*
Sunday morning and we were all getting ready to go to church. This was another significant event on mom's agenda. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Dayton, Iowa is near and dear to mom's heart.
*Iowa history: Iowa was included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. At that time, it was primarily inhabited by Native Americans. Beginning in the 1830's, Euro-American settlements appeared in the Iowa Territory. The "Territory of Iowa" was established in 1838, and Iowa became the 29th state of the Union on December 28, 1846. As the settlers moved in, the Indians ceded their land through treaties and purchase. (The last tribe to do so being the Fox and Sauk who returned in 1857 to buy back a small reservation. It is the only reservation in the state of Iowa today.) (I'm not quite sure how to pronounce it correctly, but in my head saying "Fox and Sauk" makes me think of Dr. Seuss.) The population more than tripled in the 1850's, and by 1860 there were nearly 675,000 people settled in Iowa.
And some of those early settlers and pioneers were my family. ❤
**an excerpt from 'A Brief Historical Sketch of Trinity Lutheran Church, Dayton, Iowa': "Among those early settlers were a number of Lutherans, both of German and Swedish extraction.... As early as 1858, Lutheran circuit riding missionaries came to these pioneers to bring them spiritual guidance in the preaching of God's Word, to serve them the Lord's Supper, baptize their babies and instruct the older children for confirmation, usually staying for several days."
"Homes and school houses served as places of worship. The first Lutheran Missionary pastor of whom there is a record was Pastor Frederick Vickenscher. Since 1861 he came from Boonsboro, now Boone, but had preached here and served the settlement at Fort Dodge. He came about once a month, usually walking the entire distance from Boone and then on to Fort Dodge, approximately a distance of 100 miles. After four years of shepherding, he found the group receptive to forming a permanent organization. This important action was taken in 1862...."
Oh. My. Gosh.
This man traveled on foot 100 miles every month to shepherd these people!? I bet he WAS excited when "he found them receptive to forming a permanent organization"! Matter of fact, he was so excited he served about one more year, then retired and went back to Germany. Ha! (OK, I don't know why he returned to his homeland; I'm just teasing, but he did retire and return to Germany.)
Then the BIG debate was where to put the church. Some of the members preferred the country while others preferred the town of Dayton. The matter was settled when Mr. Charles Schram donated two acres of land for the church. The location was about six miles northwest of Dayton. (We're related to the Schrams by marriage; this would be my Great-great Uncle.)
***Another excerpt: "After 66 years in one location at the old country church in Burnside Township and under the guidance of Rev. C. E. Aulick, Trinity relocated to the town of Dayton. The present church building was dedicated on July 23, 1944."
Now... why did I share all of this? For one, because I find history quite interesting and especially the formation of churches. I mean, again, that poor Pastor walking all those miles to shepherd God's people. (While today so many act like it is just such an unnecessary inconvenience to get into a vehicle and drive 15 minutes to attend services. Don't get me started. Anyway....) But also because my Great-great grandfather was one of the founding members of this little church; and I LOVE that fact.
This church, when it was in the country, would be where my Grandmother attended services as a young girl. Where she was baptized and where she was confirmed.
This church, after it had moved to Dayton, would be where my mom attended services while living with her Aunt Johanna and Uncle Alwin on the family farm.
Sadly, the farm is no longer in the family. It was sold. But in God's infinite wisdom and His perfect planning, my grandmother, who could not work, was able to live out her 95 years on this earth with the money from the sale of that farm. She ran out of money two weeks before her death. How's that for God's timing!?
I also found this fun and interesting (another excerpt): "In August 1920 Pastor Richard Krenke came to Trinity. The word 'German' was dropped from the congregation name, and more English services were conducted. A new Lutheran Hymnal was introduced, and the Constitution was translated into English."
Which means while my Grandma was growing up, being confirmed and attending this church, it would have all been in German. I love that.
I know even as my mom and dad were growing up, German was still often spoken in the homes.
*Side note* During WWII some of the correspondence between my mom's family and their relatives still in Germany was "gone through" to make sure there was no "funny business" going on. I get that. It makes perfect sense. I'm sure it happened often and to most everyone. But still funny to think of when it's your own family.
Back to present day:
Eden was up and ready before most. She could be found listening to Elvis and being enthralled with the record player. *side note: she did get a record player for Christmas, and listens to her great Granny's old records; her favorite being Elvis.*
We made it to church. Sadly, the old church seems to be on her last legs. Hopefully not, God willing, but she definitely needs some upkeep and it doesn't appear there are many in her congregation. Seems as though no new members are being added while the older ones are slowly dying out. (One more thing to look into when I win the lottery.)
Needless to say with the church's dwindling congregation, our family pretty much took over on this particular Sunday.
Then onto the cemetery where the Kinne family is buried.
**side note: I was absolutely miserable at the cemetery. I. Was. Freezing. My feet were ice, and I was not handling it well. I either underestimated the cold of Iowa in November or I overestimated my ability to deal with it. Jenni asked me what was wrong with me and informed me I was being rude. I promise, if I was rude to you at the cemetery, I apologize. I was not meaning to be. I was simply freezing and not handling myself well. I am sorry.**
My extended family.... Henry Kinne was my Grandmother's brother; Lydia being his wife. Luther is a son of Henry and Lydia.
My lineage: My Great Grandmother Emilie. My Great Grandfather Henry. My Grandma's sisters, Johanna and Alma, who never married. Alma did have a career. She went to Minnesota where she studied Laboratory Science. Johanna stayed and helped run the family farm with her brother, Alwin, who also never married. Alwin always looked out for his baby sister (my grandma) even unto death. He made sure she had a place for burial and included her on his headstone.
Our next stop was to get out of the cold (thank you!), get a bite to eat and visit.
It was such fun meeting so many family members whom I never knew before. My mom, of course!, knew them and is forever thankful so many made the effort and took the time so we could all have these mini reunions. It truly was a special weekend to be remembered.
My mom went to this school, although when she attended it was "Burnside Consolidated". She attended from 1st grade through 7th grade while living on the farm with her Aunt Jo and Uncle Alwin. Those were some of the best, and most stable, years of her life.
Every so often the family would have to go into town for provisions. While Aunt Johanna was off doing the shopping, Uncle Alwin would take mom and her sister Karin down to the river. This always scared Aunt Jo who was fearful the children would fall into the river. They never did. Although my mom, who never learned to swim, said perhaps had she fallen in, she might have learned pretty quickly. Ha!
After saying our goodbyes to everyone it was time to chill. We finished the day at a cute little brewery and a really fun Mexican restaurant. An authentic Mexican restaurant in Boone, Iowa? Who knew?? (El Viejo, btw)
Danny made himself quite at home at the brewery.
And at the restaurant. We had too much fun.
After a few shots of tequila, it was time to pour ourselves into bed and call it a day.
