Larry Roed of NW Minnesota contacted me recently with a wonderful story about his grandmother – a HarvestHER from the past. I felt it was so good, it needed to be shared!
The following is Larry’s story about his grandma:
My grandmother Margaret lost her husband (my grandfather) during the pandemic flu in October of 1918 (Spanish Flu). My dad was 2-weeks-old at the time. She raised two sons by herself on a little farm that she and my grandfather purchased in 1915. By the late 1930’s, my uncle was married and my grandmother decided it was time to move out and let him farm.
She had a brother who moved to Montana during the 30’s from central North Dakota looking for a better opportunity. He had made friends with the Iverson family who farmed east of Ledger. Mr. Iverson had lost his wife and was looking for someone to cook, wash clothes and all those types of chores. Did I mention he had four sons? So, there must have been a never-ending amount of work to do.
My grandmother took the train from McIntosh to Shelby the first time in 1939 and then worked as a domestic during the summers till into the early 1950’s.
In 2011, I stopped at the Iverson farm to see if the family was still there. The wife of the youngest son was still living on the farm by herself and remembered my grandmother very well. We had a great time visiting about Margaret and those good old days.
The first picture is of the house my grandmother worked in and the second is of the same house in 2011 when I was there. Still standing after all those years.
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".