Sidnaw, Michigan

Good Morning All!

I have found a few more pictures from times past in Sidnaw, Michigan.

For my newfound friends in lower Michigan and in Germany too. I hope they will kindly add their own thoughts and ideas and memories too...

This is a picture of my mothers homeplace in Upper Michigan.

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Picture is dated 1948,
you can still see how they lived.

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The following picture to show the lay of the land on their farm. The house being toward the top on the right...

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This is my grandfather, (Franciscus Corneel ~Cornell~ VandenPlas), with my Aunt Loretta (Mrs. Harry Worden).

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After leaving the old homestead, my grandfather built the little cottage in the background here; and lived there until he was no longer able to care for himself. They found him one January with a frozen shoulder; and in the company of another man who had sought refuge for the winter. Very little heat~ Not enough food for sustenance. They were both taken from there, but I am not sure of the year;(in the mid~1950's).

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Sidnaw, Michigan; picture is dated Oct. 18, 1953

And captioned by my mother "Us Lumberjacks!"

Mama is on the left.

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My grandparents had divorced years before.
Unheard of in that day and age~ (I never learned of this until I was divorced in 1979/1980, and Mom shared this family 'secret' with me as I was going through my 1st divorce). My grandparents lived at one of the local nursing homes in Green Bay. They had separate rooms. More feeble, but still they were able to come and visit on occasion providing they had transportation to/from the home.

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Francis VandenPlas, and Zoe (Radart), VandenPlas

Photo taken in the early 1960's

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The decision was made after their deaths to sell the old homestead. All of the children (7), had long since relocated, were married, and had children of their own.

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The house, still standing after years of neglect;
sans windows, doors and entryway.

The outbuildings and barns also stood.

Photo dated 1970

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In the mid 1960's, a dear sweet couple, (originally from Germany, and 1st generation Americans), had bought the homeplace.

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Their names were Karl and Hilde Johnssen.

Sadly, they never had children of their own, but AS children we always looked forward to seeing them~ Much like our own grandparents who, by that time were gone from our young lives. (I was 5 when Grandpa died in Spring, and had turned 5 by the time grandmother died in the Fall; about 7 months later).

Karl had worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit until he retired.

Hilde was a short, little, lovely woman who knew everything. And I say that with the utmost respect.
Hilde had had a brain tumor in her 40's. After her doctors had removed the tumor this strong woman had to learn EVERYTHING all over again! Much as a baby would, she had to even learn to crawl before she could walk. Karl stood by her side every step of the way.

And learn she did! There was simply NOTHING that you could 'stump' this woman on! Nor was she ever afraid of anything.

Hilde and Karl both hunted. And many times it was Hildegard that slayed the venison or the bear! But it didn't matter, as long as they had food on their table.

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Karl and Hilde had plans of their own for the place. Not wanting to destroy any of the history of the place, but having no use for a barn, they simply decided to turn the old barn into their home!

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The foundation was solid, although they would pour additional concrete for the flooring...

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Before renovation. An undated photo.

(Would any of you know the production years of these vehicles)?

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Karl on the right; with an unknown helper, securing the beams.

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Work began in earnest.
And yes, Hilde pitched in as well.

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And soon a home began to emerge where the old barn had once stood!

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Rear of home...

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Front of home.

Uncle Walter Nooyen, Hilde, Mama, and Karl

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Uncle Walter married my Aunt Florence. (She was the eldest of the VandenPlas children). He preceded her in death. My Aunt Florence lived until May of 1998. My own mother passed away that very same November.

I will blog more about these dear people, but for now must get my day moving.

But, I promised a special picture for my cousin in Germany at Ramstein Air Base.

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Aunt Florence and Uncle Walter Nooyen

ENJOY!

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I hope you all have a grand Thursday. It is in the low 60's here, and LOTS of wind and rain. (I am amazed that the power has not gone out)... >knocks on wood<

Love to all!

XOXO
Anne

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For more Sidnaw blogs, please click on my cloud tag "Sidnaw" on left, and scroll down to see all of my entries regarding Sidnaw, Michigan and its people

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