I knew my Grandpa Alfred through Grandma's letters, and family stories.

I know he was at Uncle Al's funeral and at a family reunion when Koren was young. I probably saw him at other times. he was a farmer. a hard worker. he loved Grandma with everything he had. when he met her, she was too young. so he watched her grow up, and when she got really ill at age 15, he took her to dr. with appendicitis. they told her to go home and go to bed. (sound medical advice there, eh?) when she needed surgery, her mother didn't have a car. her father was dead. Grandpa took her to the hospital, paid for the surgery, and they were married soon after when she turned 16 or 17.

there are stories of Grandpa having episodes where he feared for his family's safety. he'd barricade them in the house and sit guard with a loaded gun. it was terrifying for the kids and Grandma. stories of too much drinking on sale barn days. but we all have our faults. we're all human. he worked hard. hand milking cows. farming with horses. providing for his family in the days of no insurance, no credit cards or welfare. they didn't even have electricity till they moved to his parents farm outside Trenton. at Cainsville, they had to ride horses or take a wagon or walk to get to where the car was in bad weather, the roads were clay. life was hard. and it was all on his shoulders.

Aunt Mary let me read one of Grandma's diaries. she wrote a daily account of her everyday life, which was fascinating to me. another place, another time. household chores. what they ate. walking to so and so's. what they listened to on the radio. helping do this at so and so's. they lived close to a lot of family. there are the dates she went on with Grandpa. the movies he took her to. evidently, they had movies in Cainsville. they'd go to Pleasanton IA for the 4th of July.

and mom has a lot of pictures of Grandma & Grandpa in their early married life, raising their family. they did a good job. My dad was a wonderful dad and grandpa. not a perfect one, mind you. but good enough for me.

left to right: Grandma Pauline, her mom Great Grandma Amanda, my dad, Aunt Mary, Grandpa Alfred, Aunt Freeda.

Grandpa Alfred with two of his work horses.