This and That

 It's a good thing we have a couple of bedrooms in which to pile "stuff" as I am slowly getting the piles together of things that need to go in the RV. We won't be leaving for a while yet although Wisconsin Covid numbers are skyrocketing so we stick pretty close to home except for getting groceries once in a while. It is rather hard to believe but in the City Hall in Neillsville where many people will be voting next Tuesday, at least some of the workers do not wear masks. I don't understand why they don't and then they wonder why the numbers are so high. Our local school K-5th went virtual as did schools in surrounding cities. I would hate to be a parent of youngsters right now, wondering if the kids are going to be home or in school, wondering how safe they are, and everything else that goes along with the current situation.

Enough about that!

We decided that this year we would give Trails End a try along with all the other Magnolia people who are there. We have managed to secure a spot that we would fit in and are looking forward to being closer to Chet & Irma as well as to the other ex-Magnolia residents. Along with us there are a few more who are making the move to Trails End. It will be somewhat difficult to get to know new people because as I understand it we will be wearing masks which is the way it should be. I believe all the Winter Texan parks are doing their very best to keep their residents safe. 

We are already sick of winter as we have had lots of cold weather and snow already which is way too early to say the least. It is supposed to warm up next week.

Safe travels to those who are on the road or who will be shortly. 

Jay Kelly Obituary

Jay David William Kelly was born In Butte Montana to Jay and Marie Kelly. The oldest of three children, his love for adventure and the outdoors made Butte the perfect place to start. During his early years, Jay played youth hockey and for a short time, was coached by the legendary daredevil Evel Kneivel, which would become just one of the many sources of pride for his only son Jeffery. He graduated from Butte High in 1960 and immediately after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following basic training, he was stationed at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha Nebraska. As with any, the comradery with his fellow airmen had put him attending a fellow airman’s wedding in the small town of Atkinson Nebraska. This wedding would mix the plaster which cast the statue depicting the remainder of his life when he asked a former Hay Days Princess to dance with him. During that dance he learned her name was Joyce Gilbert. Cupid surely had danced along with them because two months later the two former strangers became husband and wife on December 26, 1964. Jay and Joyce’s son Jeff was born the following year on September 5th, just two days after Jay’s birthday.

Following his honorary discharge from the Air Force in 1965, the newlyweds moved to rural Holt County Nebraska. Jay worked at the P&P feed lots north of Atkinson while his wife Joyce took care of the duties at home. During this time, Jay had revisited his passionate love for music and began playing guitar. Soon he joined a small band with Alvin Krysl and G.L. (Tom) Schaaf called the Country Cousins. The group played dances in the Atkinson area until Jay formed another band called The Purple Sage Band. Jay taught his wife Joyce to play bass guitar with this group so the two of them could be together in both marriage and band. The couple later met the members of a group called Tequila Sunrise who were looking for a guy who could sing and play guitar. Fate sent Jay Kelly to them because he had the uncanny ability to both, bonused by the addition of Joyce on bass guitar. This musical group was a long-running entertainment staple in the central Nebraska area for 18+ years to come. Jay’s love for music also later led him to become a teacher of guitar and fiddle by giving lessons to youngsters in the Atkinson area.

The Kelly family had moved from country to town residing in a quaint little corner house located in Atkinson in 1973 which became their permanent home. Jay began working on the Fred Horne ranch located north of Atkinson, often being joined during the summer months by his son Jeff. Jay’s abilities to work with tools and his knowledge of building and fixing things again became an asset when he started doing contracting work around the Atkinson area for over a decade. Jay always strived to do the job right, no matter how much extra work it was. He was a perfectionist through and through.

Later in life, Jay and Joyce began attending country and bluegrass music festivals and with Jay’s amazing ability to play almost any instrument, he taught himself how to play the fiddle and a legacy was born. Jay became one of the most demanded fiddle players at these festivals because he could “just play anything”. His abilities later landed him spots in both the Old Time Fiddler’s Hall of Fame of Iowa and The Country Music Hall of Fame of Iowa. To this day, he is the only person inducted into both of these prestigious academies.

During the years, Joyce and Jay became a constantly seen couple at countless music festivals, never far apart on the grounds of any event. They spent the winter months in Texas during the remainder of Jay’s life, playing music with many new friends all along the southernmost tip of United States. Jay so loved his musical family and the feeling was mutual with hundreds of their friends – he always had a tune running through his head, always.

Jay passed away on October 8th, 2020 at CHI Health Center in Kearney due to medical conditions complicated by the indiscriminatory Covid-19 Virus. He is survived by his wife, Joyce and Son Jeff (Kathleen), his sister Rose Marie and nephews David, Ricky and Wayne; Sister-in-Law Mickey (Butch) Braun of Atkinson, nephew Michael (Alison) Braun, niece Michelle (Tom) Laetsch; Sister-In-Law Julene Simonds (Dennis) of Lincoln, nieces Heather (Ryan) Kness and Amy Simonds. Jay also considered his “Music Family”, the people he’d met at the musical events, as extended relatives and treated them as members of his own family. Jay always welcomed anyone with kindness, hospitality and song.

Jay is preceded in death by his father Jay, his mother Marie, his younger brother Oscar Kelly and cousin Halsey. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a public memorial service held at a later date when it is safe for everyone to gather. Funeral arrangements and inurnment by Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

 

Edith Bauer, 1932 - 2020

 I received word today that Edith Bauer passed this morning. I have many good memories of Edith as she sang in the Choraliers and I got to know her quite well. She was a nice lady and wintered in Magnolia Park for many years. She was Max Pierce's sister and until this year Max & Mary also wintered in Magnolia Park. She will be missed by many. If you would like to send Max & Mary a card their address is 2329  IL Rt 78S, Stockton IL 61085. You can also go to the Hermann Funeral Home site in Stockton and leave a message of sympathy for the family there. 

Edith Bauer, age 88 of Stockton, IL passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. She was born January 24, 1932 in Stockton to the late Leland and Florence (Parker) Pierce. Edith married Lendelle Bauer on December 9, 1950 in Stockton. Lendelle passed away February 10, 2002.

 

She was a member of Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton where she was very active throughout the years and would often play the piano and organ. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. Edith was a 1948 graduate of Stockton High School and received her teacher’s license from Dekalb Teachers College. She had taught at the Willow Country School House before getting married and teaching at the Missouri Military Base. She was a lab technician at the Whey Plant for Kraft Foods and had helped her husband on the farm. She enjoyed wintering in Magnolia Park in Donna, TX, listening and playing music, helping her husband on the farm, and most importantly, spending time with her family.

 

She is survived by her daughters, Coral (Paul) Loebel of Beaver Dam, WI and Carmen (Tom) Calderon of Stockton; her sons, Kevin (Anki) Bauer of Stockton and Wade Bauer of Stockton; her brothers, Leland Jr. (Bud) Pierce of Stockton and Max (Mary) Pierce of Stockton; her sister, Mariam Blair of Stockton; her grandchildren, Klinton Bauer, Taylor Westaby, Allie Gagnon, Kirsten Bushek, Nicole Williams, Zachary David, Kailyn Bauer and Dawson Bauer; her great grandchildren, Casey, Tyler, Abigail, Aadilynn, Anestyn and Sebastian. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Elizabeth Herring and Linda Lloyd; and her special friend, Don Mueller.

 

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There will be a visitation before the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. 

 

This and That

 It is difficult to find news to post so if anyone has something to share, please do let me know. I did have a message from Beverly Lokensgard-Clarkson (Connie Dziuk's sister) (they both used to live in Magnolia Park and now are both over at Roadrunner Park). Beverly let me know that Bob Englehart and Dawn are now living over there and his brother Randy's trailer is set up over there too.

This morning I had a message from LeRoy and Elaine Misfeldt letting me know that Joe and Linda Bleess stopped in to see them. They are going to stop in Sioux Falls and then on to Texas. As I think I've said earlier, their unit in Magnolia was sold and pulled out and Joe and Linda purchased a place over at Siesta Village.

Pat and Mike Jordan as well as Marty and Don Harper have made it safely down to the valley, both couples over at Trails End. 

The weather has cooled down considerably from the 90s it was earlier in the week but I don't know how long the cooler weather will stick around. I'm sure it must be a relief from those hot temperatures which people from the mid-west haven't seen for quite a while. The high here today in Central Wisconsin was about 34. It is supposed to warm up next weekend and perhaps even reach the 40s! 

I have not had any further news about Fred but will post if I hear something. In the meantime, keep him in your prayers and send him cards. I posted his address in the last post that I made.

Magnolia will be very much different this year for those few folks who are left and I do have to wonder if perhaps there won't be a few more who will pull out. Time will tell.

More Covid 19 News

 I had a text from Chris Pearce and I'm sorry to say that she told me that Fred Rabe has tested positive for the Corona Virus and is very sick but not in the hospital. He is at home and his daughter Kay is taking care of him. I know Fred would appreciate prayers and get-well cards from his Magnolia friends. His address is Fred Rabe, 106 Bryant Circle, Clyde TX 79510. We have to all remember to try to stay safe from this very nasty virus. Wear your masks, wash your hands, use wipes and social distance. Every little thing we can do helps. Here in Wisconsin the numbers and deaths keep going up and up. It is scary to say the least.

Ron and Chris Pearce, Terry Froseth and now Chet & Irma Johnson have all arrived safely back in the Rio Grande Valley and they are all living at Trails End. Don & Kathy Ferrell got back to Rio Valley Estates a couple of weeks ago. Chet & Irma, with their son Tom driving them, just arrived this afternoon. They left Wisconsin Monday morning, ran into snow and a delay just north of Des Moines but after that had pretty good weather. They got out of Wisconsin just in time as we had quite a bit of snow yesterday with more on the way for the weekend. Winter has arrived very early this year but then, it seems maybe that goes right along with the kind of year that 2020 has been.

I think there are more Magnolia residents perhaps on the road or will be shortly, most of whom will be going to Trails End.

I had heard that Carpenter Bob Engelhart and Dawn Orozco had wanted to move out of Magnolia and weren't being allowed to but now today I heard that they are gone as well as Bob's brother Randy. Sooner or later we will know if that is all rumor or if it is true.

If you have news you would like posted, let me know. Safe travels as the seasons change and be careful!

Jay Kelly - September 3, 1943 - October 08, 2020

Jay Kelly of Atkinson Nebraska passed on Thursday, October 8 after contracting the Corona Virus. He and his family thought he was out of the woods but as is so often the case, he ended up with pneumonia. Jay is survived by his wife Joyce, one son Jeffery Kelly and his wife Kathleen, and one sister Rose Kelly. Memorial services will be at a later date.

Jay was a wonderful musician who played a "mean fiddle" as well as being an outstanding guitar player. He was well known in the Rio Grande Valley and in the last few years he had his own bluegrass band which one of the pictures below shows. He and his band raised money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Jay and his musical talents will be missed by all who knew him but not just for his music but because he was a good and decent man, always willing to share his knowledge and never too busy to answer questions.

These are some pictures that I have taken of Jay over the years while in Magnolia Park.

 

More Sad News

 It is with much sadness that I have to tell you that Jay Kelly passed away this morning about 10:00. We thought he was well on the road to recovery because he had his Monday morning fiddle tune which due to Covid 19 he had not been able to do for a couple of weeks.

He apparently walked to the post office yesterday and was very tired when he got back home. He got progressively more ill and as they live only a couple of blocks from the hospital Joyce drove him to the ER last evening. After more tests and xrays of his lungs he was admitted to the hospital. His lungs were full of pneumonia which is so characteristic of this virus. Just when you think someone is getting better things can quickly take a turn for the worse. I have gotten this info second hand but I think for the most part it is pretty accurate.

Jay was great musician and a very good friend. He will be missed by many.

When I get more info and an obituary I will post it here.

One final thought, this virus is NOT a hoax, it is serious, very serious. Wear those masks, socially distance, wash your hands and do everything you can to stay safe no matter where you are.

Anita Nelson 1926 - 2020

I have received word that Anita Nelson passed on Sunday, October 4. From what I've been told, Anita will be cremated and there will be no public services. I was not able to find an obituary, just the death notice.

Anita and her husband Dick were very long-time residents of Magnolia Village and for many years she was the "card lady." Every time a card needed to be sent Anita would take of it. She will be missed.

I'm sure Dick would appreciate hearing from all his Magnolia friends. His address is 3707 E Business Hwy 83, Lot 353, Donna TX 78537.

 

Dale Eichor Update

 I had an email from Dale & Caroline this morning and Dale is reporting that they had gone back to Des Moines for a post op visit. He had another CT scan and the neurosurgeon told them that it looked just the way it should and Dale is recovering nicely. He also has now driven and is feeling good about that. Somehow it seems when one can get themselves from one place to another without depending on another you surely feel that you are well on the road to a full recovery.

Dale wants to thank all of his Winter Texan friends for the cards that he received. As I've said many times before, Magnolia residents were and to a great extent, still are a family. Those of us who lived there for so many winters are still connected and it is so nice to stay in touch.

This upcoming season will certainly be different from any in the past. As I understand it, Covid numbers in Hidalgo County are going down. That is certainly different than how it is up here in the upper Midwest. Our numbers are climbing dramatically especially among the young adults.

If you are planning on going south this winter, pack those masks, take wipes because they are in very short supply in the Rio Grande Valley and stay safe. I'm not sure about the status of paper towels and toilet paper down there right now but when Chet & Irma get there they will let us know how it is. When we travel Jim uses a glove to fuel. We only have to fuel twice as we leave home with full tanks. We have a transfer tank in the back of the pickup so we fuel somewhere just south of St.Louis if we go that way, or southwest of Effingham IL if we go that way and then in Henderson Texas. We can make it to the Valley with maybe a quarter tank to spare. Restaurants are open and I think masks are REQUIRED everywhere. It really is only a tiny hardship to wear masks and it does seem to go a long way toward protecting everyone. 

Stay safe, travel smart and if you have news to share please let me know so I can put it on the blog.