I married Lloyd in 1983 and our home became the family gathering place for three generations.  Lloyd and I were active, long time members of Holy Cross Church.  We enjoyed camping and fishing at Diamond Lake; our travels to Washington D.C, Chicago Ill and Palm Springs, CA.  We also enjoyed our trip to Alaska with my mother, Pearl Simpson.  I have many memories of my trip with my sister, Dixie, to London England and Edinburgh Scotland.  I am very proud of my Scottish heritage.  I have had a rich full life.

From 1967 until my retirement in 1992, I served as manager at the State of Oregon's Salem Rehabilitation Facility. My dedication, skills and hard work made me responsible for the creation, development and successful operation of the SRF social living program designed to assist clients to live independently.

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

I have vivid memories of my younger boys skirting off to school.  Gene, Donna and Diane were busy in school with their studies, music classes, and participation in student government activities, sports and school dances.  Outside of school they were active in YMCA Youth Legislature and Girls State, performing in a Brass Quartet at Willamette University, playing violin, viola and cello at various events like “Music in May” at Forest Grove University or at church on Sunday morning’s standing on a platform singing hymns in three part harmony. 

And when I stood looking at my children standing in their graduation gowns and tasseled caps, I knew that in spite of the hardships within our family, my children had reached a milestone and life as I knew it would never be the same again. 

Briefly throughout my life, I would think back to Grandpa Sam McCutchen and Grandma Fannie to remember the stories of my mother’s birth where she weighed only 1 lb and 4 ounces and the doctor telling my grandparents their baby would likely die before morning.  I can’t help but think of their humbling situation, pioneering strength, resourceful and tenacious spirit that compelled them to line a shoebox with cotton and place their newborn inside their warm (open door) oven. 

My Grandparents went through hard times, acknowledged it was hard and had faith that times would improve.   They taught me to never give up, to be resourceful and do the best I could do.  This is the strength that I drew from my heritage which anchored me during the years of Lester’s long term illness.   Family, friends and associates like Dr Furlong, Vern and Peggy Bell,  Virginia Keller, Ray White, and Dick Simpson gave me strength to face each obstacle and use it as a springboard.

Dan Earhart, Foster Son Of Les & Wanda

I remember Dennis asking Nathan if we could come and live at his house because our parents were unable to care for us.  Nathan asked his mother who agreed to open her home to us.  I was not sure of the outcome of coming to live with another family but the longer I stayed the more secure I felt.

I had major challenges with astigmatism which made it hard for me to read small print.  I was termed legally blind.  A short time later, I began my studies at the Blind School which was a good choice for me.   Through the Blind School, I received optical care at OSHU Casey Eye Institute which provided further services to support my vision.  I was provided large print books and I remember receiving “Talking Books” which allowed me to hear my lessons instead of read them.  This service had a big impact for me educationally. 

At the Blind School, I was required to take a class in piano but I found I was lousy at it.  Everyone in my new family played an instrument and was good at it.  I was the exception.  I excelled in my school sports wrestling program …that was my calling!  Wrestling helped build my self-esteem and gave me a sense of “I can do it” attitude.  Wrestling at the Blind School was an awesome program.  I received ribbons at the kids wrestling tournaments.  In the 9th grade, I won first place in district and received other awards as well.     

I also enjoyed activities outside of school.  I had never gone camping before and my first experience was going to Camp Silver Creek with another student from my School.  It was a wonderful time being in nature and of learning new things. 

I always appreciated mom’s sense of discipline for the whole family.  Speaking for myself, I got caught stealing something from Fred Meyer and mom’s discipline was silence.  That made me feel worse than if she had yelled at me.  I remember going upstairs to my room and I did not come down for dinner because I was so embarrassed about what I had done.  This was a pivotal lesson for me.  Mom’s guidance was the foundation upon which I moved forward in a good way!  I will always appreciate her.

One experience that popped into my mind was seeing mom at her 80th birthday.  I realized we were all getting older.  Sometimes I felt regret that I didn’t see her more often.  She was the mother of my life and she gave me a sense of well-being-ness.  She was a pillar I leaned on in times of challenge.  In her quiet way, she believed in me and I always had a warm feeling when I was with her.   Over the years, she never forgot me and always sent me cards to let me know she was thinking of me.  She was a little woman with a BIG heart. 

Now that she is gone ... I can truly say I am grateful she was my mother.   When I look into the sky I feel her presence … I see and feel her everywhere. 

Dennis Earhart, Foster Son of Les & Wanda 

I came into the world on September 5, 1952, the third child born to Claude and Ester Earhart.   When I was six years old, I fell in love with the sound that came as my mother strummed her steel stringed acoustic guitar.  She perked my interest as she began showing me chords.  Mom soon bought my brother and I guitars which were different colors.  My younger brother, Dan wasn’t interested in playing the stringed instrument but I was.  The guitar had an instructional book with a few chords in it.  I practiced and soon learned to play quite well.

Several years later, my parents bought me a "real" guitar.    I found when things weren’t going well, I would pick up my guitar and play which always made me feel better.  My father was ill with emphysema which he contracted when cleaning up after the atom bomb was dropped over Hiroshima.  At that time, there was no protective clothing to keep the cleanup crew safe.  Life was not easy for my parents or their small family. 

I was 10 and my brother, Danny was 7 when we came to live in foster care with mom (Wanda) and dad (Lester). I was enrolled in Highland Elementary School.   I was fortunate to come to a “musical family” where string and wind instruments vibrated wonderful tones in the "music room" of our house.  Roy Pease taught my brother Nathan how to play banjo.  Roy and dad played their stringed instruments on weekend events, Roy on his banjo and dad on his lead guitar. 

Nathan and I would play our music on the front porch, he on the banjo and me on the guitar.  Nathan would set chairs out on the front lawn and mom would sit in the audience, she was our greatest fan.  We got pretty good.
Dad eventually booked us at the Odd Fellows Lodge.  We were so young and scared the first time we played.  We later formed a band called The Sweet Shop.  The band was made up of Nathan and me, Gary Franklin and Ed Pendagraft.  Ed J. Dougherty Enterprises booked us for gigs at the Salem Armory.   We were the opening band followed by a second and third band.  He also booked us in Lebanon, Oregon.  He kept us busy during our junior high years.

Later, in high school, I played in another school band.  It was a heavy metal group consisting of Bob Nordyke at keyboard, Scotty Simmons playing the drums, Mike Rogers on the base guitar, me on the lead guitar and Steve Unrue was the lead singer. 

I always remember dad standing in front of the stove, warming himself while talking to mom.  I learned a lot about the guitar from him.  I played his jazz music like "Talk of the Town." I remember that he would write out his songs on staff paper and I was always amazed by that.  Dad played the guitar a lot.  I learned to play his songs quite well.  I remember one time I was practicing in the music room and I had my guitar plugged into dad’s amplifier.  Mom thought Dad was in playing his music and he was supposed to be somewhere else at that time.  She walked into the room and discovered it was me.  

I would watch dad play his guitar and he would show me those humongous chords stretching across 5 frets.  He had a tremendous knowledge of music.  He could play any melody in chords. He was my hero.  I'll never forget the things he showed me.  We had a special bond. I remember the amplifier he built in the shop.  I also remember him loading all his amps, guitar and other supplies needed for his gigs in the black car.  He had a calendar full of events that he was playing at. I think he played almost every night.  He also built shelves in the music room so that each of us had our own place to put our music supplies.   

I remember one Christmas when our family played at the little Quaker Church down the street.  Dad wondered if they would think "Jingle Bells" was not appropriate for playing there.  I recall Dan playing the bells and Dad and I played our guitars. I don't remember what Nathan did. I remember people were in the back of the church handing out oranges and peppermint candy canes. 

Our family tradition was to go for a ride in the car to see the Christmas lights.  Mom would stay home and wait for Santa but we all knew she was putting gifts under the Christmas tree.  The gifts came way out into the room.  I always got guitar strings because I was always replacing broken ones. 

I attended Parrish Jr. High and graduated in 1970 from North Salem High School.  After graduation, I traveled around the country with a band. 

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

Even with the busyness of everyday life, we always found time to have fun.  My heart is touched any time I see this photo of my brother Lynn and you kids together.  It is a happy time in my life. 

There was always a whirlwind of activity in our home and music played an integral part.  I will always be grateful to Les and his family for instilling the love of music in our children’s lives.  Les was the eldest of the Herigstad children; next came the triplets who were gifted vocalists who often sang on the radio.  It was no surprise that music would play a big role in our family where the weekends we often heard the sound of string and brass instruments coming from our family music room. 

Les was lead guitarist with the Stubby Mills Band.  It was common to see him sitting with the boys giving instruction on chord progressions, sequences and strumming patterns which took them months and even through years of study. 

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

Just prior to Gene, Diane and Donna entering the 1st grade, I permed the girls hair much to their dislike. Once the children were in school, life was easier for me now as I could spend more quality time with Nathan.

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

Nathan arrived four years later and learned quickly from his brother and sisters!  Life was more simple in those days.  Nathan was content to play with his siblings in the front yard of our home.  He liked to dress up as a cowboy or sit on the front porch and have a snack. 

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

I used to push the twin buggy down to Wilson Park in Salem OR and people would stop and talk about the triplets.  It was easier to remain silent about their triplet status than to try and explain Gene and the girls separate births. While I am feeding the girls in the park photo, Gene is enjoying a cookie!  I always had to look at creative ways to keep my babies happy.  I liked to dress my children alike.  Life was fun in those days.     

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

The baby buggy served as a vehicle for transporting children from place to place as well as a bed for them to sleep in when tired.  We enjoyed our daily walks to the park.  Les and Gene are checking on the girls who had fallen asleep. 

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

Life was busy in those days.  At feeding time, we had to look for creative ways to keep everyone happy.  Lester enjoyed feeding the children when he was not working.  Life was good!

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

We bought our first house on 5th Street in Salem OR.  The location was close to Highland Grade School and it had enough bedrooms for our family to be comfortable.  Lester built all the cupboards in the kitchen and made other changes which we enjoyed.  Les didn't waste anything ... he built the fence which surrounded our yard out of wooden boxes that license plates came in which were issued to truck drivers.   

Stories Shared by Mom with Donna

I had my hands full washing diapers and preparing formula but I loved being a mother of Irish Triplets.  We lived in a small apartment on Bly Street in Salem, Oregon.  The apartment was so small we had to place the twin cribs side by side in our living room.

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

Your first born child is really special.  Gene was a pleasant child, always happy and smiling.  Like most mothers, I kept a diary of his every day firsts.  I was content and happy as a mother and Lester enjoyed his role as father.  Gene was three months old when I became pregnant with twins.

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

Lester and I enjoyed our new life together.  He worked for the State of Oregon  Public Utilities Commission and I worked for the State Accident Commisison (SAIF).  We often took trips to the coast when good weather permitted. 

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

This picture was taken of Les and I on our wedding day, September 10, 1946.  Though we couldn't afford a big wedding, it was a special day and a beginning of our new life together! 

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

I soon met Lester's family who lived outside Mt Angel OR.  Lester was the eldest of five children which included Melvin, Myrtle, Marge, and Harold.    
  

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

I met Lester Herigstad when he had just gotten out of the service at a New Years Eve dance at Crystal Gardens on December 31st, 1945.   He was such a good looking man!  We both liked to dance and enjoyed our time together.  

Les served in the 501st Armored Division, a tech 5 and served in Rhine Lang in Central Europe where he received the Victory and Good Conduct Metal.  He also received the EAME Theater Ribbon.  He was discharged on November 26, 1945 at Camp Bowie TX.  It was a tough time for the young men returning from World War 11.  As I remember, his army troupe was one of the first to help liberate the Jewish Prison Camp, Dachau.  



  

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

I am standing with my classmates in this photo enjoying an afternoon snack or so it seems.  Jane Tolleson (far left) was Senior Class Vice President; Evelyn Staffenson was Senior Class Secretary (middle); I am on the far right and served as Senior Class President.  We continued a close relationship throughout our lives. 

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

We had a lot of snow in the winter which gave us many opportunities to create some interesting looking snowmen.  My family raised rabbits and we had a goat for milk.  What I remember the most about living in the hills above Colton were the bears that would follow my brother (Lloyd) and I to school each day.  It scared my mother.

Stories Shared By Mom with Donna

My education began at Warren Branch Elementary School in Missouri near Seneca.  My teacher's name was Delma Rinehart.  Can you pick me out in the picture?  In this pictoral view, I am standing in the back row first student from right.  (If you click on the picture to enlarge it, I am the second student from right).  My brother, Lloyd is in the front row, first one on right.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

I recently bought a bottle of Vitamin C and it triggered a memory of how it was in World War 11.  There are times I have a feeling of needing to stock up on anything we might need in the event of war because so many products are likely to become unavailable. 

During the war, all manufacturing efforts went into producing bullets and ammunition.  We could not buy real coffee; we only had coffee substitutes.  Sugar, meat and many other items were needed for the soldiers and were unavailable to civilians. 

When we first moved away from home, electric irons were not being manufactured.  I used a flat iron that had to be heated on the stove until after the war ended.  I did not have a phone because my job was not considered a priority for the war effort. 

After the war ended, I remember how excited I was when I finally found a radio to buy.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

The only good thing about Oregon right now is the weather.  The sun is shining but there is a cool breeze.  I can’t help thinking about my cousin Norman and when we first moved to this state.

One day we were weeding a field of onions for one of the big farmers.  One of the bosses would say, “take five”, and then he would stand up and say, “Just feel that ocean breeze”.   We were 50 miles from the ocean but we would all be convinced we could feel that ocean breeze.  After the five-minute break we were ready to return to weeding.   

I believe we earned 5 cents an hour on this job.  With the money I earned, I would buy fabric for my school dresses.  I would look through the Sears and the Wards catalogues to find dresses I liked.  My Aunt Blanch would then make the dresses for me.  She would just look at the catalogue pictures, and then make the dresses without a pattern.  Each dress turned out to be exactly as I wanted with a perfect fit. 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Wanda with Diane Fountain

Another special occasion was when the leaves on the oak trees turned color and eventually fell.  I remember we had a whole grove of oak trees on one side of our home, two oak trees behind the house where the hammock was tied, and another tree on the edge of our property between Grandmothers Simpson’s place and ours. 

We were always sorry to see the colorful leaves fade and fall to the ground but we anticipated burning the leaves after they had been raked into piles.  That meant another party!  We enjoyed roasting wieners and marshmallows over the fire and inviting the neighbors to celebrate the fall season.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

I also remember the strawberry fields.  Mom would make jam from some of the berries and there was always strawberry shortcake and homemade ice cream.  We would no more have missed the strawberry shortcake event than we would have missed Christmas! 

There were two beautiful oak trees behind our home.  Dad made a hammock from barrel staves that he hung between the two trees.  It was incredibly comfortable.  He also made lawn chairs from some of the lumber left from the floors when building our new home.  It was a wonderful place to have our ice cream and shortcake party. 

When making ice cream, Lloyd and I were in charge of turning the crank.  While one of us turned the crank, the other would make the trip to get the Field’s boys.  Strawberry season was very special.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain 

Living in Missouri was so hot that we had a hard time keeping enough water on our plants and flowers.  A rock garden was the answer to this problem.  Dad and I planted some brightly colored  flowers that he called “moss”.  Each plant seemed so special and we were careful to admire them each day.   

The summer months were very, very hot but we always found ways to make them special.  Mom would get up at daybreak to make special food for us to enjoy… like cookies, her special potato salad, perhaps a fried chicken or two.

We did not have refrigeration because we had no electricity, but the ice man came by each week and we did have one of those wonderful iceboxes.  It was my job to watch for the ice man so we were sure to have ice.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
 Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

Barney and Art Fields had a brother everyone called “Babe”.  I think his mother started calling him that because he was the youngest brother.  There was also a sister but she lived in Joplin and was married to a doctor.  They had a beautiful car and drove to visit the Field’s every few weeks.  There was a story about how “Pretty Boy Floyd” had forced them to drive him, at gunpoint, to the Field’s house, where he walked away and disappeared into the woods. 

The only reason I am mentioning the Field’s family is that they were so involved in just about every project we had.  They grew food in their garden and Mom canned it for half the food.  They furnished flour and other ingredients for bread and mom baked for them for half the finished product.  They only lived ¼ mile from us and we did not need transportation to collaborate with them.  I always felt less isolated knowing they were available in case of an emergency or in case we just needed someone to visit with. 

During very hot weather our well would sometimes go dry.  Lloyd and I would take a couple of milk cans and our little red wagon and go to the Field’s house to bring home water for drinking and cooking.  If I remember correctly their well was between 80 to 100 feet and our well was 30 feet deep. 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain 

Grandmother Simpson’s house was struck by lightning, and the inside of the house was severely damaged by fire; the window facing the road blew out.  Because it was unsafe, I was never back inside it again.  The family felt Grandmother shouldn’t live alone anymore.  And, to convince her to come and live with us, mom told her that she could come help take care of Lloyd and me.  Grandmother then moved in with our family and the home dad had built for us. 

I was always fascinated by grandmother’s house; after all, Lloyd and I were born there.  So, it seemed logical for me to stop and look down the path lined with cedar trees and thought about how much fun it had been to live there.  This occurred any time mom sent me to pick up a dozen eggs or a pound of peanut butter from Bilke’s store.  

One day after grandmother died I was on such an errand.  I stood by the front gate and was thinking about grandmother and how lonely it felt to know she would not return to be with us.  Suddenly a white figure appeared on the windowsill sitting with her arms locked around her knees.  She had wings and looked like a cherub on an old fashioned valentine.  I was frightened and felt like I was looking at something I was not really supposed to see.  I ran to get mom but the figure had disappeared.  Mom asked me if I was sick or if I was running a fever, which I was not.  

I am convinced to this day that I saw an angel.  I have described this happening to several people and some have suggested I was hallucinating.  Other people can believe whatever they believe but I know I saw an angel.  I did not continue on my errand to buy the goods mom wanted me to buy.  Mom took me home to watch me closely for the rest of the day.  I could not bring myself to walk by Grandmother’s house alone for weeks to come.  I was obsessed with the feeling that I had seen something that mortals were not supposed to see.  I now appreciate the feelings that I was privileged to see an angel.

Family Stories by Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

The photo of me was taken when I was in the 8th grade at Warren Branch School.  The school was named after a creek "Warren Branch".  My dad attached a railing to a foot log so that my brother and I could hold onto it while crossing the creek.  In the spring, the water moccasins would sleep on the log in the warm sun. 

Dad loved dancing and parties.  Our dances were unforgettable parties that usually lasted about three days.  People slept and visited for a while then went back to dancing.  To keep the dance floor slick, we used what I think were “Ivory” flakes.  I remember running and sliding across the floor which was much slicker than ice. 

Uncle Doc and his brothers were all musicians and they brought their fiddles and guitars and banjos.  Their music was an absolute delight to me.  There was all kind of dancing; round, square and waltzes and dad taught me the different dance steps. 

Uncle Jess often called the square dances.  Remember Art Fields?  Barney was one of his brothers.  I remember dad passing the hat for coins to replace strings on the instruments.  

Mom took charge of preparing food.  Everyone contributed the makings for donuts and hot chocolate… I m sure there was other food but I was mostly interested in only these two.  Dad always made sure there was a supply of his homemade beer, which he called “home brew”.  

We got our ice from the ‘ice man’ and somehow managed to keep the ice from melting before the party.  We filled an aluminum tub full of ice, then added the bottles of home brew, along with a little cold water from the well to keep it cold.  I will never forget the night Barney Field’s drank too much of what must have been a delightful beverage.  He became ‘falling down drunk’!  I remember dad and other men pouring cold water over his head which came from the washtub that previously held beer.  Guess nobody ever told them about acceptable treatment for a person who had too much to drink!   I think that party was the only one that came close to being a disaster.  It was during the depression and nobody was worried about getting home in time to work because nobody had a job to go to, so they sang, danced and enjoyed each other. 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

Tagged in my mind are the mental pictures of the Kansas dust storms and their aftermath.  Citizens usually had little warning before a storm hit and they came to us by radio and word of mouth.  There was great panic in the city of Wichita in those days.  During a storm, I can remember seeing women crying as they ran down the street.  Seeing grown up’s cry always bothered me.  We were aware that people could die by inhaling too much dust.  

A big handkerchief to cover our face during dust storms was standard equipment for school children.  As children enrolled in school, teachers inventoried and checked them off along with pen, paper and pencil. 

These were also the days before electric washing machines.  Mom did all her laundry with a big aluminum tub and a washboard.  There was also a big tub that she heated water in on the stove; it was called a boiler.   Each article of clothing/linens was boiled before they were scrubbed on the washboard. 

There were also no electric clothes dryers.  I remember mom checking the weather predictions to see if she could hang her freshly washed clothes outside.  I recall her consternation when she had just finished hanging them outside, and then a dust storm hit.  She would have to wash them all over again. 

We were also greatly handicapped by the water shortage.  Each household was equipped with a rain barrel.  It did not rain very often but when it did we caught as much water as possible to use for bathing and laundry.  We thought it was a great treat to use rainwater for shampooing our hair because it was minus the minerals found in city water.  

It was incredible how much dust could get into the house, even when windows and doors were tightly closed.  Mom was kept busy with house cleaning in those days.  

While living in Joplin Missouri, a big threat was the dirt and dust created by the lead and zinc mines.   This dust was inhaled daily and left scars on the lungs of local residents.  Tripoli mills were also a threat.  Many of us who grew up in that area carry the scars caused by breathing dust from these mines.   One doctor told me those scars look very much like old TB scars and are distinguishable by considering what part of the world we grew up in. 

The big difference between Missouri and Kansas storms was that during a storm in Kansas, our world became as dark as night.  The sun’s rays were blocked from the earth by thick clouds of dust.  That was very scary, both for a mother and a first grader trying to find their way home from school in this darkness.  Even holding onto mom’s hand was not enough reassurance to keep me from being frightened.  To be truthful, quite a bit frightened. 

Dust storms in Missouri were constant but of a more gentle nature.  The dust was always there but it was thick and gritty between our teeth.  In spite of the storms, we were content and felt equal to the task before us, and knew that we would continue on, the seasons would change and life was good.

The Early Years
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain 

While attending the last McCutchen-Simpson reunion, a few memories surfaced regarding Sam and Fannie.  I had much admiration for grandpa because of his ability to cope with hard times.  For example:  mom told me she only weighed one and three quarter pounds when she was born.   

The doctor had come to the family home to supervise the pending birth.  After my mother was born, the doctor told grandpa the baby would most likely die before morning, therefore, there was nothing more a doctor to do, so he might as well go home.  And he did!

Grandpa found a shoebox, lined it with cotton, warmed the oven and set the shoebox inside.  By morning mom was strong enough to swallow milk dropped into her moth with a medicine dropper.  She survived to bear six children.   

I am reminded of mom sharing how she and Aunt Blanch helped to care of their mother during a long illness.  There did not seem to be any treatment for whatever ailment Fannie had, and in those days it was considered that any lung illness was TB. 

Grandpa refused to give up and decided to be sure she had lots of fresh air to breathe.  So for a long time, he moved his family out of their home to live in a tent, in the woods.  That would take guts!  He tried various diets, including raw liver in an attempt to keep her blood count up.  He was resourceful and never gave up. 

When Fannie died, Grandpa Sam was left alone to raise four children.  As a result there wasn’t much time or energy left to be used for making memories.  The name of the game was survival.  When one is in a survival mode, the hope is to not be noticed much.  If not being noticed, then that means one is doing a good job. 

I never heard my grandpa mention hard times or difficulties he must have had as he raised mom, Aunt Blanch, Uncle Oscar and Aunt Elaine.  Mom always talked about their ordeal with such calmness.  I am sure grandpa’s attitude had a great impact on his children. 

Mom told me about the time uncle Oscar was bitten by a rattlesnake.  The treatment was to take scrapings of onion and place it on a bandage, and wrap around the site of the bite to draw out the poison.  Mom and Aunt Blanch stayed up all night changing the bandages; miraculously Uncle Oscar survived.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
 Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

I must have been about six years old when dad started planning and building our log home.  He wanted to have plenty of open space to accommodate his parties and dancing.  The rooms were created so they could be open to each other, providing plenty of room for a dance floor.  I’m not sure, but I think he used oak trees from the grove near our home.  Dad started by hewing each log prior to building.  The floors were made from pine that he bought from a lumber mill.  Mom was very proud of the floors and kept them white and shining by scrubbing with a broom and lye water. 

The house was heated with a wood stove in the living room, which was also used for cooking.  Lloyd and I were responsible for picking up dry twigs that were used for kindling.  Another reason we kept the twigs picked up was to keep the ground free of fuel that could start flash fires during the extremely hot summer weather. 

We had a well, which furnished cold water for drinking and cooking.  The well also provided an area to hang items that would normally be kept in a refrigerator, like Jello … that was a treat!  Since we didn’t have electricity in our area, there were no refrigerators.  

Kerosene lamps were used to light our homes till people discovered gasoline lanterns, which emitted a brighter light.  For ironing, mom used a gasoline iron. 

I hated ironing with that iron because I was not very tall.  My face was almost at a level with the iron and the fumes it gave out! 

We had terrible storms.  Tornadoes were a constant threat.  I remember trying to help dad build our storm cellar.  It was also a place for mom to store the canned vegetables she grew in our garden.  We had a few fruit trees on Grandmother Simpson’s property and there were wild berries that grew in the woods and fields close to her house. 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Diane Fountain

I first became aware of the battle of the sexes when I was four years old.  That was the year my brother, Lloyd, was born.  He was a beautiful baby and I loved showing him off to our family and neighbors.  However, sometimes during each visit, someone was sure to say, “Isn’t it wonderful that your baby was a boy”!  Up until that time I thought girls were nice to have around, too. 

It was then I decided that if boys were so wonderful I would do everything I possibly could to be as wonderful as any boy on the planet.  I started imitating my dad.  I tried to walk and talk like him.  I followed him around when he was doing outside chores like chopping wood and picking up small sticks for kindling.  I even tried swearing but that did not go well with mom. 

Poor mom!  She tried her very best to turn me into a sweet, gracious girl.  She made beautiful little dresses with ruffles and bows.  She curled my hair by heating a curling iron over the kerosene lamp.  I squirmed and whined.  She let me wear the “Evening in Paris” perfume someone had given her for a present.

Dad was not upset by me being a tomboy!  We went for long walks in the woods to gather sassafras roots to make the tea that everyone drank for a spring tonic.  Everyone in that part of the country was big on spring tonics, like sulfur and molasses. 

One time when the weather was beginning to turn cool and the leaves on the oak and maple trees were just beginning to turn, dad came home from town with overalls, a red shirt, and a baseball cap for me to wear when we went on walks.  I was so excited.  I made a special effort to match dad’s stride when we walked down to the country store to buy whatever mom needed for making our dinner.  Mom said I was talking a mile a minute and recognized that this was a special moment for dad and me.  That was when mom accepted that I could play the role of “daddy’s buddy” and still return to girlhood, bake cookies with her in the kitchen, make a cup of coffee for dad, help her with the dishes and above all, help take care of my baby brother.

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Donna Selby  
 
"I was fourteen years old at the time this photo was taken.  From left to right are Lester, Lloyd, and Larry.  The house was a shake house and I especially remember the hummingbirds feeding on the flowers outside the kitchen window.  To the left of the picture is our pump house.  I was the oldest and watched over my brothers.  We beat each other up like most siblings do". 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Donna Selby

"When I was a little girl, I liked looking at the ants who marched through the cracks of the broken sidewalk.  We can learn a lot from the ants because they are resourceful and work as a team.  They are a real circus to watch". 

The Early Years of Wanda Simpson
Shared by Mom with Donna Selby

"Aunt Anna (Wanda's father's sister) is holding my brother, Lloyd Simpson while I am standing next to the hedge.  Aunt Anna was always kind to us and Uncle Clarence was a wonderful uncle.  They were there for us when we were growing up."  Circa 1932.

Wanda, age 87, died on April 6, 2015.  Born in Seneca, MO to Wade and Pearl Simpson she was the eldest of six children.  Wanda grew up in Colton OR and attended Colton High School where she became captain of the women’s basketball team and Senior Class President.  Following graduation, Wanda moved to Salem OR and worked as a clerk for the State Accident Commission (SAIF).

Wanda married Lester Herigstad of Mt. Angel OR after his Army discharge.  They moved to Salem OR where their children were born: Gene; twins, Donna and Diane; and Nathan.  Wanda’s family was her highest priority. 

From 1967 until her retirement in 1992, Wanda served as manager at the State of Oregon's Salem Rehabilitation Facility. Her dedication, skills and hard work made her responsible for the creation, development and successful operation of the SRF social living program designed to assist clients to live independently. 

She married Lloyd Reinwald in 1983 and their home became the family gathering place for three generations.  Wanda and Lloyd were active, long time members of Holy Cross Church; they enjoyed camping and fishing at Diamond Lake; and travels to Washington D.C, Chicago Ill and Palm Springs CA. Many memories were shared as Wanda and her younger sister, Dixie, traveled to London England and Edinburgh Scotland.  Wanda was proud of her Scottish heritage.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husbands, son, Gene and grandson, Zachery Herigstad.  Wanda is survived by her sister, Dixie Arthur of Washington D.C; twin daughters Donna Selby of Salem and Diane Fountain (Gary) of Castle Rock WA; son, Nathan Herigstad of Salem; foster children, Dennis Earhart (Michigan) and Dan (Kim) Earhart of Lebanon; step-children: David Reinwald, Jeannine Reinwald (Phil Beckley) of Salem; Dennis (Vickie) Reinwald of Eugene, and Steve Reinwald (Debbie Tubbs) of Tacoma WA.  She is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Thank you to Southern Hills Assisted Living staff and residents; Rev. Patricia Hughes and friends of Holy Cross Lutheran Church; Northwest Rehabilitation Center and friends; Gentiva Hospice; and Restlawn Funeral Home.  Special thanks for the loving contributions and care: Dixie Arthur, Dyana Selby, Ray White, Taft and Bobbie Mitchell, Jim Bellah and Chris Mulligan, Liz Landis, Jeanne Hollatz, David Reinwald, Heather Williams, Gary and Diane Fountain, Donna Selby and Nathan Herigstad. 

A memorial service will be held, May 15, 2015, 1 pm at Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.   Refreshments will be served following the service. 

If you have a memory of Wanda you would like to share, please post your thoughts under the story tab at:  http://wanda-reinwald.forevermissed.com/  Should you wish to mail your comments, please send to:  Donna Selby, 872 Belmont Street NE, Salem OR 97301. 

Remembrances may be made in Wanda Reinwald’s name to the following: American Cancer Society or to Gentiva Hospice in gratitude for their wonderful care.