Jean Borgeson joined LaVere and Bev Derry for lunch in Luther on Tuesday, October 15. Actually, I “crashed” their party, as they were meeting Larry and Darlene Johnson for lunch and to help Larry celebrate his 80th birthday. Fishing, “olden” days in and around Rippey and family were the topics discussed that day! We didn’t leave the restaurant until 4:00 and that was only because all had plans for supper elsewhere. Larry and LaVere are second cousins and I live in the house their grandfathers built. Many years ago I did their family tree for and with Velda, and before that I typed some handwritten papers that Larry’s father, Franklin, had written about his mother, Ella (Chambers) Johnson”s, side of the family. I told them, “Try as I might, I couldn’t quite place me in their tree! I would have to be satisfied that the first name on the deed for this farm was their Great-grandmother, Josephine (Carney) Johnson.” Larry’s dad dated the house as being built around 1884. I know there is a board in the attic with “Johnson Bros.” written on it and square nails were used. I probably won’t be in the attic any time soon. The “winter creatures” are moving in!
– Jean Borgeson