This month we are featuring my mother's mother. When I was packing up my mom's place I came across papers and memorabilia that peaked my interest in her. So here we go.
Wanda Claudillia Jensen Stowell was born in Pocatello, Idaho in 1904. She was the youngest of 11 children. Her parents emigrated to the United States from Denmark. From Wanda's biography:
"It was believed that my father and mother came over from Denmark on the same ship in 1873 but didn't know each other then."
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| Did you know that "The Little Mermaid" story was written by a Danish author? |
They both settled in Logan Utah with their families. The railroad was a major part of their life stories. Wanda's father helped build the railroad from Utah to/through Idaho when he was 16. Wanda's mother was cooking for the workers at the time which is how they met. After marrying they settled in Pocatello, Idaho and had their family. Wanda's father continued working for the railroad all of his life which took him to other locations. In Wanda's words:
"When I was small my father worked at the railroad yards in Butte, Montana, and for some reason my mother never wanted to move the family, so I never knew what it was to have a father".
Her parents stayed married though, and her father sent home money and visited from time to time. Wanda remembers his visits but was shy and confused at who he was, and so often hid in the bedroom until she became more comfortable.
One way the family held onto their Danish heritage was with food. One tradition that they kept and passed on from generation to generation was how they made rice. In fact, it was the only way I remember eating rice until I married into the Hawaiian culture. Reggie was shocked. But I think it is time to revive the tradition! - boiled white rice covered in milk, butter, sugar and cinnamon. We had it for Sunday supper when I was a child and I loved it! One thing that I have inherited from my mom is her mother's (Wanda's) cookbook. I found the following recipe inside, which is a little different than what I remember, but worth trying out:
RICE PUDDING
3/4 cup rice (2 to 3 cups when cooked)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raisins
nutmeg to taste
Combine all ingredients and bake in oven until light brown on top. Serve plain or with cream, either hot or cold.
Growing up in Idaho in the early 1900s meant interactions with American Indians. Wanda remembered some occasionally walking into their home. She said her mother welcomed them and always had something to give to them.
One perk for Wanda was that, because her father worked for the railroad, she and her family could ride the train for free any time they wanted. Being the youngest Wanda had a lot of alone time with her mother. One of her favorite memories was riding the train 25 miles to a neighboring town, once a week, to buy fresh eggs. They would always stop at the store for a bag of candy for the ride back. Wanda and her mother had a close relationship throughout Wanda's life, which turned into a wonderful blessing for my mom as she loved spending time with her grandma. (But that is a post for another day!)
Wanda's hobbies included playing games with the neighborhood children, reading books from the library, and in her teenage years "tatting". Tatting was a form of decorative sewing, kind of like embroidery. My mom has several items of her mother's handiwork. In Wanda's words:
"I sold much of my tatting such as camisole tops, baby bonnets, edgings for little girl's dresses, scarfs, doilies, etc."
Wanda also learned to play the piano and used the skill for the rest of her life. As a teenager and young adult she played piano in a "dance orchestra", along with a drummer, guitarist, violinist and saxophonist. They were very much in demand for church dances in Pocatello and communities nearby and they played commercial dances in the dance hall in town. She was also the church organist for much of her life. I remember, when visiting her home, that she had a most beloved piano and a small organ in her living room.
Wanda had a well rounded education and transferred to the then Idaho Technical Institute after just two years of high school. She graduated with high honors in a class called Commercial Law. Of that she said:
"a class consisting almost entirely of boys and only 3 girls. To beat all those boys - that was something!"
While attending the school she worked part time for an attorney, and for another one after graduation. She also worked as a Clerk of the Probate Court, and had other law related jobs until she turned her devotion to motherhood. She was known for her excellent handwriting which was a very needed skill; as Probate Clerk all the records of the court proceedings had to be entered by hand and had to be very legible.
While working after college she met her future husband, Grant Stowell. In her description:
"I met Grand and I think it must have been love at first sight for he was soon 'the whole world to me' and has been ever since."
They married in 1929 and lived in Pocatello for the rest of Wanda's life. They had 4 daughters and then three sons, in that order.
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| their first child, my Mom |
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My Uncle Dennis, the youngest, is missing in this picture. He was the surprise baby that came to Wanda and Grant when she was in her 40s. My Mom has said that though he came later in her life, he was Wanda's pride and joy.
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Some of my memories of my Grandma Stowell:
- she was quite the game player. From what I understand, she and my Grandpa got together with friends throughout the years to play card games. I remember they had a closet upstairs just full of board games. When Reggie first visited my Grandma Stowell he won her over by playing "Blockhead" with her. Their favorite game of all was croquet. They kept their backyard grass expertly manicured so that their descendants could come over and play whenever they wanted.
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| some great grandchildren getting ready to play croquet! |
- she was an excellent cook. Again, I am thrilled to have her book of recipes and in honor of her, and as an activity for the rest of this month I plan on trying out several. One thing I found so interesting during summer visits at her home is that when we sat around the table for meals she would pour the milk from the carton into a pitcher. I always wondered why she didn't just put the carton on the table, but I learned she liked to have things extra nice for company or just for her family.
- she kept raspberry bushes lining the backyard, around the croquet lawn. She let us pick them which was such a treat for us city kids.
- the last thing we saw as we started our drive back to California each summer was my grandma waving and crying.
Wanda Cladillia Jensen Stowell passed away in Pocatello, Idaho, on February 23, 1992. She had been ill for several years and the following photo shows what good care Grant took of her. You can just see in his smile how he is treasuring the time they had left together.
To end this mini-biography I'd like to include a note Wanda left for her children and their spouses:
The joy and happiness all of you have given me over the years is something no amount of money could ever provide. I am so proud of all of you for the type of lives you have and are now living. Being active in the Church and observing it's teachings. Being a good citizen and good neighbor. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and your families. I want you to know that I am most grateful to have been your mother.
With all my love,
Your Mother .
ps - It is 12 days later and I am finally trying one of Wanda's recipes from the cookbook I inherited. Can't wait for those biscuits to come out of the oven!
