In an effort to document my family treasures which cannot be scanned in, I am publishing this series of pictures as part of the Treasure Chest Thursday theme at Geneabloggers. Someday in the future, I hope to shed some light on these treasures for my family who might inherit them. What were they for? Who did they come from? Why were they considered treasures? Let’s find out.
Grandma's Toy from Mexico
This wooden ball and cup toy was a gift from my grandmother, Mary Rose (Stroik, Kasper, Karpuk, Dreffs) Romaine. She took a trip to Mexico in the early 1980’s and brought this back for me.
It’s a simple concept, really, The wooden ball is tied onto the handle by a piece of string. The goal is to flip the ball into the cup with a flick of the wrist. I used to play with this for hours on end, perfecting exactly the speed and angle at which to flick it to land the ball inside the cup.
I love this toy. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s a tangible reminder of Grandma Romaine.
Jessica's Starter Earring
Here it is – my “starter” earring. This gold and sapphire stud was the one I had installed in my ears at Claire’s Boutique in the Saginaw Fashion Square Mall, sometime around 1990. A starter earring is a stud that is thicker than most earrings to help keep your ear hole opened up. They punch it through your ear with a little gun after rubbing alcohol on the ear lobe. You have to keep it in your ear for six weeks, twisting and turning it every day and cleaning the area with peroxide.
Interestingly, I gave the other earring to my high school boyfriend, Corey Sundquist. He used to wear it on the pocket of his flannel shirts while we were dating. I’m guessing it has long since gone into the trash heap since we broke up in 1995 when I went to college.
The following article contains a detailed life account for Frances May (Green) Fenner, sister of Fred Ozro Green. It was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 9, 1958.
Life Account for Frances May Fenner Mrs. Fenner, Ill Several Weeks, Dies Mrs. Frances Fenner, 66, wife of Starr F. Fenner, 2202 Parkview Ave., widely known Townsendite and fraternalist, died yesterday at Bronson Hospital after an illness of several weeks. A native of Kendall, Mich., Mrs. Fenner came to Kalamazoo when a young girl and was graduated from Western Michigan University. She taught school until her marriage to Starr Fenner Feb. 24, 1910. She then became active in the fraternal field. Mrs. Fenner was best known for her ardent support of the Townsend Pension Plan and the organization of Townsend Clubs in Kalamazoo and Indiana. She was a past state organizer, past district chairman, and past club president, and devoted many years to delivering addresses on the Townsend Plan. She also was active in the Pythian Sisters in which she was a life member, and was one of the general committee that promoted the Kalamazoo Senior Citizens fund and home. She was known widely as a student of economics and political science. Her husband worked with her in the Townsend movement. Immediate survivors are the husband; four daughters, Mrs. Doris Lennon, Mrs. Theda Allen and Mrs. Bethel Burkam, Kalamazoo, and Mrs. Velma Dale, South Bend, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Steve Greene [sic] and Fred Greene [sic], Kendall, and John Greene [sic], Corona Del Mar, Calif.; one step-brother, Francis Forbes, Otsego; one sister, Mrs. Nell Watkins, Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Joldersma and Klein chapel, with interment in Hillside Cemetery, Plainwell.
Life Account for Frances May Fenner
Mrs. Fenner, Ill Several Weeks, Dies
Mrs. Frances Fenner, 66, wife of Starr F. Fenner, 2202 Parkview Ave., widely known Townsendite and fraternalist, died yesterday at Bronson Hospital after an illness of several weeks.
A native of Kendall, Mich., Mrs. Fenner came to Kalamazoo when a young girl and was graduated from Western Michigan University. She taught school until her marriage to Starr Fenner Feb. 24, 1910. She then became active in the fraternal field.
Mrs. Fenner was best known for her ardent support of the Townsend Pension Plan and the organization of Townsend Clubs in Kalamazoo and Indiana. She was a past state organizer, past district chairman, and past club president, and devoted many years to delivering addresses on the Townsend Plan. She also was active in the Pythian Sisters in which she was a life member, and was one of the general committee that promoted the Kalamazoo Senior Citizens fund and home. She was known widely as a student of economics and political science. Her husband worked with her in the Townsend movement.
Immediate survivors are the husband; four daughters, Mrs. Doris Lennon, Mrs. Theda Allen and Mrs. Bethel Burkam, Kalamazoo, and Mrs. Velma Dale, South Bend, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Steve Greene [sic] and Fred Greene [sic], Kendall, and John Greene [sic], Corona Del Mar, Calif.; one step-brother, Francis Forbes, Otsego; one sister, Mrs. Nell Watkins, Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Joldersma and Klein chapel, with interment in Hillside Cemetery, Plainwell.
This is the obituary for my husband’s great aunt Frances May (Green) Fenner, the sister of Fred Ozro Green. It was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on March 9, 1958.
Obituary for Frances May Fenner FENNER, Mrs. Frances M., 2202 Parkview Ave.– Passed away noon Saturday in Bronson Hospital. She was born May 23, 1891 in Kendall, Mich., the daughter of Abner and Marion Root Greene [sic]. Mrs. Fenner had resided around Kalamazoo for the past 42 years. She was married to Starr F. Fenner, Feb. 24, 1910 in Plainwell, Michigan. Mrs. Fenner was a 1908 graduate of Western Michigan University, and had been a school teacher in Plainwell. She belonged to Syracuse Temple, Pythian Sisters and Townsend Club, No. 1, in which she held several offices, and was a willing worker in several civic affairs. Surviving are her husband Starr F. Fenner; 4 daughters; Mrs. Walter (Velma) Dale, South Bend, Mrs. William (Doris) Lennon, Mrs. Donald (Theda) Allen, Mrs. William (Bethel) Burkam, all of Kalamazoo; one sister, Mrs. Nell Watkins, Kalamazoo; 3 brothers Fred Greene [sic], Kendall, and John Greene [sic], Corona Del Mar, Calif.; a step-brother, Francis Forbes, Otsego; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the Koldersma and Klein Funeral Home Sunday eve., where services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Dr. Frank Crabb and Rev. Theron Jenne officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Plainwell. Friends may make contributions to the charity or memorial of their choice.
Obituary for Frances May Fenner
FENNER, Mrs. Frances M., 2202 Parkview Ave.–
Passed away noon Saturday in Bronson Hospital. She was born May 23, 1891 in Kendall, Mich., the daughter of Abner and Marion Root Greene [sic]. Mrs. Fenner had resided around Kalamazoo for the past 42 years. She was married to Starr F. Fenner, Feb. 24, 1910 in Plainwell, Michigan. Mrs. Fenner was a 1908 graduate of Western Michigan University, and had been a school teacher in Plainwell. She belonged to Syracuse Temple, Pythian Sisters and Townsend Club, No. 1, in which she held several offices, and was a willing worker in several civic affairs. Surviving are her husband Starr F. Fenner; 4 daughters; Mrs. Walter (Velma) Dale, South Bend, Mrs. William (Doris) Lennon, Mrs. Donald (Theda) Allen, Mrs. William (Bethel) Burkam, all of Kalamazoo; one sister, Mrs. Nell Watkins, Kalamazoo; 3 brothers Fred Greene [sic], Kendall, and John Greene [sic], Corona Del Mar, Calif.; a step-brother, Francis Forbes, Otsego; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the Koldersma and Klein Funeral Home Sunday eve., where services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Dr. Frank Crabb and Rev. Theron Jenne officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Plainwell. Friends may make contributions to the charity or memorial of their choice.
Rose Pin
This pretty red rose brooch pin was given to me during my senior year of High School by my good friend, Deidra (Eickholt, Penny) Moitzheim. It’s about three inches tall and is gold plated.
I tried wearing it a few times but it’s too large and heavy to fit nicely on most sweaters. I’ve kept it in my jewelry box and enjoyed looking at it all these years. It’s a nice reminder of our friendship.
This is the obituary of my husband’s great aunt, Rachel “Nell” Nellie (Green) Watkins, the sister of Fred Ozro Green. It was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on July 15, 1973. I must admit, I have never seen so many spelling errors in a single obituary throughout all of my research…
Obituary for Rachel Nell Watkins WATKINS, Mrs. Rachel Nell Formerly of 346 S. Rose– Passed away July 13, 1973. She was born April 16, 1888 in Kendal [sic/Kendall], Michigan, daughter of Abner O. and Marian [sic/Marion] Root Greene [sic/Green]. She was a member of St. Augustine Church. Was the widow of Wortherington [sic/Worthington] G. Watkins who passed away July 15, 1959. She is survived by a step-brother, Francis Fobers [sic/Forbes] of Kalamazoo; one sister-in-law Mrs. John (Qave) Greene [sic/Green] of Yuciapa, Calif; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends are being received at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held Monday at 10 O’clock at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Rev. Charles Crowley officiating.
Obituary for Rachel Nell Watkins
WATKINS, Mrs. Rachel Nell Formerly of 346 S. Rose–
Passed away July 13, 1973. She was born April 16, 1888 in Kendal [sic/Kendall], Michigan, daughter of Abner O. and Marian [sic/Marion] Root Greene [sic/Green]. She was a member of St. Augustine Church. Was the widow of Wortherington [sic/Worthington] G. Watkins who passed away July 15, 1959. She is survived by a step-brother, Francis Fobers [sic/Forbes] of Kalamazoo; one sister-in-law Mrs. John (Qave) Greene [sic/Green] of Yuciapa, Calif; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends are being received at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held Monday at 10 O’clock at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Rev. Charles Crowley officiating.
