This letter was written by Gertie for her 50th high school reunion. Transcribed by Christopher Fritz, as originally typed, from scan provided by Jeff Couch.
Transcript
After graduation I stayed with my parents on the farm as my mother was not well. She passed away in 1933 and I stayed with my father until 1945 when he lost his eye sight — we sold the farm and moved into Dexter. On March 1st of 1947 the "Good Lord" and my girl friend from Stuart saw that I was fast becoming an "Old Maid" and was so lonely so they decided to leave a bundle on my back door step. The bundle was very large — in fact it weighed about 190 lbs. by the same of Kenneth Brinton of Menlo, Ia. From the very first we got along well and by my July birthday an engagement ring appeared on my finger. On Feb. 7th of the next year we were married — we chose this date as it was the 25th wedding anniversary of my brother, Arlie and wife Louise. We enjoyed a 5 wk. honeymoon in southern and western states. My father lived 3 more years, passing away in 1951. Key was farming with his father near Menlo. I was lonely at home in the day time and the opportunity came for me to work in the cafeteria of the Dexter school where I worked for 5 years. and enjoyed it very much.In 1962 we were able to secure out own farm just 2 mi. south of Dexter. It is our pride and joy and we spend much time there — we intended to build a new house but health problems made us decide to stay in town. We retired in 1978 and have a good renter. During the years we have traveled through 25 states and parts of Canada and Mexico. Our concern now is Ken's father, 97 in the Stuart Care Center. This makes us stay close to home but we hope there will be more time for travel and adventure. We roomed school teachers for several years and we have acquired many lasting friendships — we hear from all of them at Christmas and we have visited several in their homes. One Missouri girl married a Dexter boy and we are very close and spend much time together. During the years I have lost my 2 brothers and 1 sister — I have one sister, Calla living in D.M. Ken and I have had a very happy life together and feel we have many blessings. We like out home in Dexter but hope to spend some winters in a warm climate. Ken has one brother in Cheyenne and we go there often.