2020

December 2, 2020

CHRISTMAS LETTER - 2020

I hope the year of the Covid 19 finds you all healthy and wise. Verla and l have been very fortunate in that we have not contracted the disease or other serious illnesses. Thank God for all His blessings this past year. The independent housing facility that we live in, shut down Mar. 9th for visitors, and restricted many privileges for us so that has been a bummer. The praise band at the local church that I played bass with also shut down so the band has not played a service and we have not attended church services since then. We have worshiped online at Concordia San Antonio where Dawn and Bob worship.

Our family increased by one in March when Lily Boyd was born to Andrew and Samantha Boyd of San Antonio TX. Dawn and Bob were very happy with the new addition as were we.

We were able to make many trips to Decorah to our apartment this past year so we were very thankful for that. We were able to see many old friends such as Norma W. and Karen B. old neighbors of ours when we lived in Decorah. Verla quilted and I read a lot as we enjoyed our old haunts. Mark, our son and his daughter Roslyn joined us in July for a few days at Decorah about Nordic Fest time so that was a lot of fun.

Verla continues her passion of quilting by making and designing quilts for Lutheran World Relief and zooming with her buddies down at Zion Lutheran every Wed. morning for a few hours. Since Covid 19, they have not been willing to meet at church in fear of catching the dreaded disease.

Vince has been busy writing his third paper on the Eucharist. He has had an interest in the subject of Holy Communion for many years and the last paper is about the meaning of the words of institution and how they may be interpreted. So a literature review of two theologians who described the views of the patristic fathers up to the age of the reformers in Europe in the 1400 to 1500's was assessed and summarized in a paper to compile the views of learned people for two thousand years. It isn't exhaustive but is a snapshot view of what Christians have thought and recorded for many years. If any of you are interested I can send you an e-mail copy of what I found. It is entitled: THE EUCHARIST: IGNATIUS TO ZWINGLI.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year,

Vince and Verla

2018

Dear Mark, Junel and Roslyn,

With some music on the FM for background and the sun shining in the window at 4333 Pine Ridge Trail I will try to remember some of the highlights of the year for Verla and me.

She usually writes this letter and is so good at it that I feel that my attempt to take her place will end in total failure so if you will bear with me I will try to utter a few thoughts.

Last Christmas we spent in San Antonio, TX with Dawn and her family, and Heather and Andrew with their families. Except both of us being ill on Dec. 24, 25, and 26 the time spent there was most enjoyable. Heather and Andrew had two young boys that kept things lively. Their weather in Dec. and Jan. is usually a bit more tolerable that what we are used to in Iowa.

In July, Mark and Roslyn came to Decorah to see and participate in the annual Nordic Fest at the end of the month. Roslyn and Verla marched in the Parade of Flags that opened the Fest. Sharon, Verla's sister, and Verla each modeled a bunad, (folk costume) that she had acquired when she was in Norway years ago, to be in the Bunad Show in Decorah. Roslyn modeled a child's costume with Grandma and Sharon and of course they were all stunning to behold. Arik and Stacie and their three girls, Kaelyn, Amaya, and Lauren also decided to attend Nordic Fest this year. This was their 1st time at Nordic Fest and they said they had a blast and want to do it again next year. All that Norse food and music and dancing in the streets were really fun for them. They even danced a turn or two with Grandpa Vince on the street to a polka. They also explored all the haunts that Arik was used to when he was a kid growing up there.

Then in Sept. Vince celebrated his 85th birthday, so Arik, Dawn and Bob, and John and Jene all were so kind as to come for a long weekend and help him realize that he is now considered one of the older old. A term we learned at a Senior College Course on "Mild Cognitive Decline and Dementia" which we just finished a week ago. If you are up there in age you need to know what they are talking about when they refer to you in a specific category. Before that I thought I was just getting older. So now Verla and I are at the peak of oldness. Verla continues her love of quilting with her Wed. group at Zion Luth. and I still play bass guitar in the praise band at Our Redeemer Luth. which give us much fun and camaraderie.

In closing, Verla and I wish to give thanks to our gracious God and Savior for the many years that He has given us together and we wish all of you a Very Blessed Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Blessings,

V & V

Verla and Vince

2015

December 10, 2015

Dear Mark and Junel,

May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is difficult to know where to start - so many who are on my Christmas Card list are also on my e-mail list. So what I write here, you may have already read.

But a review:

We drove to northern Pennsylvania the end of May to see grandson Andrew and to meet his bride, Samantha; and of course to see the rest of the Boyd family. We won't be driving east to visit Dawn and Bob any more - they have moved to San Antonio, TX and live quite close to Heather and Xav. We plan to drive down to see them over the holidays.

In June, we flew to Reno (Carson City) to visit Mark and family. He and Roslyn were in the show, Beauty and the Beast. Roslyn was the little cup with a chip. She's a budding actress. It was fun to see that.

Arik and his family came here in March (their spring break) for a visit. It is so much fun to see those 3 granddaughters “growing up.”

BrandiAnne graduated from the community college in Mason City in May, so we were up there to see her graduation. She is now enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa.

And we have been to Traer a few times - in October for J.T.'s confirmation where we heard the best confirmation sermon ever. The Archbishop spoke directly to the “kids” and he had them listening!

We were up there again for Thanksgiving and J.T.'s birthday, right on the day!

And of course, several times to Decorah: Nordic Fest, etc.

We've barely just begun to think about starting to go through files and drawers to see what should be given away or trashed or whatever. It was about August 1989 when we got a computer and printer and I wrote my weekly-or-so letter to the kids, sending each of them a copy. I found files of those copies I had made for me, too, the other day. I've started reading through them - wow! I think they go through 1998. Uffda! So that must have been when we started using e-mail.

Something I have done is made a computer file of the letters I wrote from Norway the semester Vince spent there doing research. My sister Sharon had shared them with others but asked for them back and saved them for me. And just the other day, I found the diary I kept the summer the family spent on Anguilla, where Vince did some dentistry. There was no dentist on the island. Maybe I should publish?

Anyway, have a blessed Christmas!

2014

Verla Williams. Christmas Letter (2014). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

December 2014

Dear Mark and Junel,

It's always fun to have some firsts. One of the firsts we enjoyed this year was a trip to Minot, N.D. for their annual Norsk Hostfest the first part of October. We heard Dr. Severinsen, Gaither Vocal Band, and Daniel O'Donnell. That's a long drive!

For the first time, I went to the 65th reunion of my high school graduation in Windom, Mn. We are still quite a few that come but a few less than 5 years ago. Of course, the 65th never happened before.

For the first time, we surprised Arik on his 50th birthday. Dawn had arranged the trip - and he was shocked. Of course, his 50th never happened before.

Of course, there some of the usual things: the Nordic Fest in Decorah and other weekends up there; we three sisters get-together; Dawn and Bob's visit - they stretched it from Dawn's birthday, through our anniversary to Vince's birthday.

Vince still enjoys playing his base guitar with the Praise Band. He counted up that he had played 26 times this year, so that's about every other week. However, he is entirely retired from the College of Dentistry. I think he misses talking with the fellow professors, but we are invited to various doings so he still gets that opportunity.

The Bible Study and the quilting at church still occupy my time. We are thankful for good health and still able to stay in our home. We wish for you Christmas blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[signed] Dad and Mom

P.S. Any packages that arrive in the mail should be put under the tree.

2013

December 18, 2013

Another year has gone by and it's been a good one! We are both in good health, just a little slower, just sit a little more, just nap a little more.

Vince has officially re-retired. He has gone in one day a week as an adjunct professor for about 15 years but decided now was the time to quit. There seems to be enough jobs around here to keep him busy.

We still keep our apartment in Decorah (we go north for the summer) though we did move. An apartment across the way from ours became available so we took that one. It is a 2 bedroom so we now have room for guests. Come see us.

There have been a few trips this year. The most memorable one was to celebrate Vince's 80th birthday. We gathered the whole family for a week in July at a light house keeper's cottage that has been restored and is rented out by the Calvert County, MD, Museum. It is right on Chesapeake Bay - the light house is still in operation, but not the keeper's cottage. It can be divided in half, so 2 unrelated families can use or it can be opened up. It holds 14; we were 19, but lucky for us, Dawn lives about 20 minutes from there so they drove down each day. The times to have everyone free to get together are not very often, so it is extra special when it happens.

Other trips: twice to Mankato, for 'family reunions' - once the usual end of June and the second in July when brother Gordon was there from Denver.

A trip to the Maryland area in the spring to see Heather receive her promotion to Lt. Commander- yes, she still is in the Navy and stationed at Fort Belvoir Army Hospital.

We went to Hayward, Wl for a visit with a colleague at his cabin on the lake. He says we can use it anytime.

Oh, and to Carson City to visit 6 year old Roslyn and while we were there we watched Mark play the part of Javert in Les Miz at their Community College.

We have also had visitors: Dawn and Bob from Maryland, Sharon, Jessica and boys from Mpls. and Duluth, Karlene and Ed Krisker from Minnesota seeking Roe family info--our 4x great grandfathers were brothers; Pam and Tom with Sharon and Dalen, Steve and Kathy from Denver. Not all at the same time, you understand.

Vince plays once or twice a month in the praise band at Our Redeemer. He bought himself an acoustic bass guitar last fall. I keep busy with LWR quilting and Bible study.

As to the grandchildren: I already mentioned Heather; her brother, Andrew lives in Richmond VA and has a job using computers (we call him when we need help) - they are Dawn's 'kids.'

And I mentioned Mark's daughter, Roslyn - she is in first grade.

Then Arik's: Kaelyn is 13, in 8th grade; Amaya is 10, soon to be 11 and in 5th grade and Lauren is 8 and in 3rd grade.

Jené's are BrandiAnne who graduated from high school and is first year in the Community College at Mason City; J.T. just had his 16th birthday - now he can drive alone.

We wish for you Christmas blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

[signed] Dad and Mom

2012

December, 2012

It might be possible to copy last year's letter and you wouldn't know the difference. It seems we keep doing the same things year after year. Vince is still the prosthodontics consultant one day a week at the College; I still have Bible Study and LWR Quilting spring and fall. We go to concerts by the Cedar Rapids Symphony (now calling themselves Orchestra Iowa) about once a month, and also Bank bus tours a couple of times a year. We saw the musical Miracle on 34th Street in the Quad Cities earlier and also The Nutcracker last week at the restored Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids. It had been badly damaged in the 2008 flood.

We went out to see Dawn, Bob, and Andrew part of spring break in March, partly to celebrate with Andy his graduation from college and obtaining a good job. I don't know what he does - he's a computer scientist. Way beyond my understanding. We also got to see Heather and Xav - yes, they are back in the states. Heather is stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA so lives only about an hour from her folks. We 'helped' them get settled in their apartment - the shipment from Japan had arrived. Well, I mostly sat up in the loft holding their small dog, to keep the dog from getting stepped on and getting squashed.

And in August we took a short trip to Oregon to see Arik and Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren. My, how they grow up with each passing year.

We didn't make it out to Nevada this year, but we have skyped with Roslyn. She is SO excited because she is in the performance by a children's theater group of The Little Mermaid Jr. They performed for three weekends. Is it like father, like daughter?

We do see the Daubs oftener- sometimes for a cross country meet, or a track and field meet, or even a foot ball game. BrandiAnne is a senior this year, J. T. will be a sophomore, active in football and wrestling.

The Blakey "girls" try to get together in Decorah once a year and we did that in August, too. And we also try to have a family reunion in June and at Christmas time. The one in June has been at Decorah, also - it is sort of central.

We are both well- walk a little slower, sit a little longer, but still manage the upkeep on the house and the yard. I heard a fellow the other day say he belongs to the useta club - I don't know how many usetas one needs to join - he useta ride bike, he useta golf.

Oh yeah, the kids all thought they should come home the last weekend in April. It was a surprise to me! Dawn and Bob come every once in a while, so that was okay. But when Mark walked in, then I knew some planning had been done behind my back. And I got suspicious and asked if Arik was coming, too. Dawn couldn't lie, and said he was - the next day. (He was disappointed that he wasn't a surprise, too). Jene had me faked out because they had been with us the previous weekend (part of the ruse). It was something about a significant milestone in my life. We had a good time - Dawn plans well.

God's blessing be yours as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

2011

December, 2011

It doesn't seem possible that it could be December already - time just seems to go faster and faster, and I go slower and slower.

We do much the same things month after month: Vince still works one day a week, (he is already being asked to work next year), I still have Bible Study and LWR quilting spring and fall. We like to go to the concerts by the Cedar Rapids Symphony and also on Bank bus tours (we went to both "Simply Sinatra" and the "Nuncrackers" earlier this month).

We get up to Traer for Track or Cross Country meets a couple of times to watch BrandiAnne run. She is a long-distance runner and good at it. We were with the Daubs for Thanksgiving - helped JT celebrate his 14th birthday - time does fly, doesn't it?

There were also a couple of longer trips. We spent part of Holy Week and Easter with Dawn and Bob and Andy in the spring; and a week with Arik and Stacie and girls in August at a rented house on Priest Lake in northern Idaho. It is always fun to visit each of them.

There was also a couple of weekend when we had visitors - Steve (Vince's nephew) and Kathy one weekend, and my sisters, Sharon and Pam and their spouses, another weekend. That's fun, too!

And just last month, we flew out to Carson City to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn, and incidentally to see Phantom of the Opera with Mark having the lead role. My sister Sharon and our daughter Dawn joined us for that long weekend. It was fun and Mark did a great job.

Heather and Xav will be coming back to the states in February - she ends her tour of duty in Japan. It will be so much easier to visit them.

We did just finish a little upgrading in our house. The floor covering in the laundry room was the old rubber backed carpet that was used 35 years ago - we had it replaced with sheet vinyl. And this past week, the carpet in the kitchen was replaced with oak flooring, plus a new counter top and sink. Now, we will enjoy it for awhile until we decide that it's time to downsize, and then it will probably be more sellable.

We are both well- just a little more creaking and cracking in the joints and bones. But we are thankful for good health.

May the blessings of Christ's birth be yours this Christmas season!

2010

December 2010

There was a car ad on the radio the other day where the announcer was extolling all the good things about this season – the parties, the decorations, the family gatherings, etc. and I was thinking I should give him a call when he said “But the most important thing about this season is celebrating the Birth of a Little Baby Boy!” Hurrah!

We got an introduction to the season when in November we went out to Carson City to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn, and to see Mark in the musical White Christmas. Even Roslyn was singing "Happy Holidays." Dawn also was there at the same time – it was fun!

Dawn also came here when Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren came to visit us the first two weeks in August (the hottest and most humid 2 weeks of the summer). There were trips to the nice sandy beach at the reservoir or to the ice rink in the Mall. And of course, our Iowa family – Jené, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. came to visit with Arik’s family, too. Our Anguillan Luther College “daughter” Ele, and her husband came to visit the families, also.

In July we spent a weekend in San Antonio visiting with Heather and meeting her husband, Xavier – they were back from Japan on leave. She still has a little over a year on her tour over there. And we saw Dawn and Bob and Andy then, too .

There were some shorter visits – to Mpls. to see Sharon and Dalen; (Pam and Tom joined us) to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit; a couple of times to watch BrandiAnne run in Cross Country and/or Track and Field; and a few times to Decorah to scare the trout.

The first half of the year was maybe more traumatic – discovery of breast cancer by a mammogram in January, a lumpectomy in February, three weeks of radiation in April, no chemo, and a good report – the cancer was entirely removed, and the nodes weren’t infected. Thanks be to God! (I advise annual mammograms!) Vince was the steady “rock” of strength and support through it all and Dawn came more than once to help wherever she could.

Vince and I are doing fine – there is enough to do around the house and yard to keep us as busy as we want to be. Vince still teaches one day a week at the Dental College, and is much appreciated by both his peers and the students.

“May the love of the Christ Child fill your heart and home at
Christmas time and always.”

Merry Christmas!

2009

Verla Williams, Christmas letter (2009). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

Dear __________,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For a little while, I thought we hadn't done enough this year to write a letter about, but then I checked our calendar and changed my mind.

January - a short visit from Dawn and Heather before Heather left for her tour of duty in the Navy in Japan.

February - a weekend visit in Denver for the funeral of our sister-in-law, Shirley and a couple of days with nephew Steve and Kathy.

March - a long weekend along with Dawn in Carson City to surprise Mark on his 50th birthday; he said he was surprised.

April - a couple days in Madison, WI for a genealogical meeting.

May - a "sisters" weekend in Decorah.

June - the "Blakey" gathering in Decorah - Pam and families, Sharon and family, and Vince and I.

July - the Nordic Fest the last Saturday, followed by a drive to Jackson, MN the next day to visit cousin Elaine, cousin Roland and Mari, and brother Gordon from Denver.

August - the last week at a resort in northern Idaho with Arik and his family.

September - my high school class reunion in Windom, MN - the 60th - who were those old people that were there?

November- Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. here with us for Thanksgiving.

December - we are looking forward to a visit from Mark, Junel and Roslyn - it will be fun to have a 2 year old around again.

Nothing new with our 'kids' - they are still in the same places doing the same things. Dawn and Bob in St. Leonard, MD; Andrew is a junior at U. of Maryland, Salisbury, and Heather a physical therapist in Japan. Mark, Junel and Roslyn in Carson City but will visit us over Christmas. Arik and Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya, and Lauren in Portland, OR and the Daubs in Traer, IA.

That's it, besides our day to day activities. Vince still goes in as an adjunct professor one day a week. They seem to need him, and he enjoys it. The upkeep of our house and a large lawn takes up a lot of his time.

Norse Club, Bible Class and Lutheran World Relief quilting keeps me busy.

We still go up to Decorah now and then during the warmer months. Have to try to catch those wary trout.

Hope this finds you in good health as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Dad and Mom
[Handwritten note: This is all old news - older news on the back. (On the back is a photocopy of the Christmas letter from 1964).]

2008

December 17, 2008

Dear __________,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go – is that a song? Anyway, trees and houses are decorated, snow is on the ground and a chill is in the air. We ended last year and began the new one with a trip out west. We spent Christmas week with Mark and Junel and Roslyn in Carson City. It was fun to watch Roslyn enjoying the tree, the gifts, the books! And then we went to Oregon to spend New Year’s week with Arik and his family. His girls are each at a fun age. And then we came home to all that snow! What a winter – we had a grand total of 59 inches of snow around here. Uffda!

We’ve had some trips this year, too. In June, we spent a couple of weeks with Dawn, Bob and Andy. Dawn had invited her dad out for Father’s Day and to bring his bass guitar along, so he could play with the praise band at their church. He figured one Sunday wasn’t enough, so we stayed for two.

In August we spent a week with Arik and his family, and Dawn and Bob at a resort on Priest Lake in northern Idaho. (That is only a 1 day drive for Arik, instead of 3 days to come to Minnesota.) It is a beautiful place, but was a little chilly the week we were there.

In September we took a long weekend (Wednesday to Monday) and flew out to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn. Mark sang a couple of songs in a production up at the restored opera house in Virginia City – it was fun to hear him again.

We do see Jené and John and family every once in a while. Their schedules keep them busy – Jené with her teaching, John in teaching and coaching. We saw BrandiAnne run in Track and Field last spring and this fall in Cross Country – she is really doing well!

We took a couple of courses in what is called Senior College –for retired persons, a 4-week course, a couple of hours a week. Last spring the class was on parts of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes taught by a retired professor in the Religion Department. This Fall we took a class on the Brain taught by Nancy Andreason.

As for health, we are doing well. I had my second cataract removed in October – that is an amazing surgery. Waiting for the eye to heal so I could get my new prescription was the hardest part.

Vince still teaches – down to one day a week this year. Each year he says it might be his last. The Bible Class and LWR quilting still keep me busy.

May the blessings of this season be yours as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas!

2007

December 11, 2007

Dear ________,

We are in the midst of another freezing rain/ice storm, so this will be a good day to start on the Christmas letter. I chopped the ice off from the front sidewalk from the previous 2 or 3 ice storms, so there won't be so much to do the next time. Vince did make it up the driveway this morning and went in to work. It's those 4 studded snow tires!

Yes, Vince is still working, though only 2 days a week this year. Since his Dental Class celebrated their 50th year this fall, he is thinking that this may be his last year of working. He does enjoy the teaching and he hears good reports, both from other faculty and from the students. The 2007 Senior Class voted him Adjunct Professor of the Year!

There were a couple/three fun trips on our calendar this year. In July, we spent a week at the resort in Minnesota with our entire family with the exception of Heather, our oldest granddaughter. But Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T., Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren, Mark, Junel and Roslyn (yes, our youngest granddaughter born March 1) and Dawn, Bob and Andrew all were able to attend. It was a fun week, and the cousins all got to know each other a little bit more.

We went to Carson City, to get acquainted with Roslyn in June. We wanted Mark and Junel to get adjusted to being new parents, so we didn't rush out when she was born. She is so smiley and happy!

And in February we went to Maryland for the graduation of Heather from Arcadia University in Philadelphia earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. We didn't make it out for her commissioning into the Navy as a Lt. I teased her: do we call her Dr. or Lt. or Lt. Dr? She has been stationed at Quantico, VA. Her adventures are just beginning and she makes us proud.

It is with thankful hearts to our gracious God for continuing good health as each year passes. Our small group Bible class studied Proverbs this fall. There are so many thought provoking proverbs - one I like is 17:6 "Children's children are a crown to the aged." Isn't that the truth? But maybe more important is 1:7 and 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge."

May the blessings of this season be yours as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas

2006

December, 2006

Dear __________,

Have you heard the Christmas song written by Mark Lowry: "Mary, Did You Know?" It is addressed to Mary asking if she knew that the Baby Boy she delivered was going to heal the sick, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, make the lame leap, give voice to the dumb and hearing to the deaf, calm the stormy waters. I just listened to it again – it is thought-provoking!

Our activities during the past year have been both mundane and spectacular – mundane is the daily ebb and low. Well, maybe Vince doesn’t think so – this school year he is teaching three days a week at the Dental College, helping them out because of a temporary shortage. The spectacular has been our trips. In May, we flew out to Mark’s, who is now living near Carson City, NV but still teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, for his wedding to Junel. It was a beautiful wedding at a chapel in Squaw Valley.

In July, we flew to Norway for a guided tour which was called Spectacular Norway, taking Dawn and Bob and Mark and Junel along as a celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Nephew Steve and Kathy also went along. We saw Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim and places in between. What fun we all had!

And in August, Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren, and Jené, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. went with us to a resort on Whitefish Lake, Minnesota for a week as a continuing celebration of our anniversary. Boating, swimming, sand castles, even turtle races. Fun!

And on the exact date of our wedding (September 1) we were in Decorah because Vince had a 55th high school class reunion. So my sisters and brother and their spouses joined us there. It’s as if we have been celebrating all year long.

A summary of where our children are: Dawn and Bob still live in Maryland. Bob has retired after 30 years in the Navy and is now employed in the same office as a civilian. Dawn enjoys her teaching pre-school at their church, Heather is about to complete Graduate school, getting a doctorate in Physical Therapy, and Andy is attending Community College.

Mark and Junel, as you have read, are in Carson City. Junel is a cosmetologist in Reno. We are eagerly awaiting the birth of their child in March.

Arik and Stacie with their girls are near Portland, OR. Kaelyn is in first grade already, Amaya will be 4 and is in preschool, and Lauren is about a year and a half. They are kept busy.

Jené and John remain in Traer, IA – at least they are close enough so we see them once in a while. They both teach, Jené second grade and John high school business. BrandiAnne is in 6th grade and learning to play the flute, and J.T. is in third, plays soccer and football (we gave him a practice drum pad and drum sticks for his birthday to maybe that is next).

"Don’t be afraid!" the angel said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, -yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:10, 11 – Living Bible)

Christmas Blessings to you as we celebrate the birth of that Baby Boy!

2005

December, 2005

Dear __________,

It seems that Christmas comes sooner and faster each year. There are some people who are more organized than I am who already have their cards sent. We have had the annual brunch at the home of the Chair of the Department, and also the reception for the faculty and staff emeriti of the Dental College. And it looks like winter and feels like it what with the snow and the cold.

There have been few changes within our family – we have all gotten a year older. That’s probably most noticeable on the grandchildren, who grow and change.

We spent last Christmas with Dawn and her family in Maryland. Andrew will be graduating from high school this spring, Bob will be retiring from the military, Heather is continuing her pursuit of a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Dawn is completely enthralled (most of the time) with the 4-yr. olds in the Preschool at their church.

We visited Mark in October and met his fiancée, Junel. We spent about 5 days packed with trips to Virginia City, where Mark was the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in Concert. We saw the production 5 times, besides a couple of rehearsals. And between performances one day, we went to Carson City to see the house that Mark and Junel will be living in halfway between her work and his.

Arik and Stacie are still in McMinnville, OR. We visited them on a long Memorial Day weekend. Then we went out again in September for another long weekend to get acquainted with our newest grandchild, Lauren Maile, born July 29. Kaelyn started kindergarten this fall; Amaya is busy in Pre School – they both love to play dress-up.

John and Jené are in Traer still busy with teaching, home and family. BrandiAnne is a fifth grader, loves being on the Drill Team, and in the band. She does an amazing job on the flute. J.T. is in second grade, likes soccer and wrestling.

Vince still teaches one day a week as a Prosthodontic consultant. He enjoys the students, seniors getting ready to go ‘out into the world’ and work. We still go to Decorah every once in a while – though being sooo busy it’s hard to find the time. Vince enjoys catching the trout – and he cleans them, and then fries them. Um, good!

As for me, I still type Norwegians listed in the 1900 Minnesota Federal Census for Vesterheim, still “lead” the Wednesday morning Bible Class, and still tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Relating to that, with money that was given in memory of Mom, I bought quilting material. The finished quilt was raffled at church with the proceeds going to LWR. Pam, Sharon, Jessica, Dawn and Jene all bought a bunch of tickets. And the winning ticket was BrandiAnne’s. When I called LWR for the address, the gentleman answering the phone told me that if a gift is over $500. a brick can be placed in the plaza of the LWR building in Baltimore – there will be a brick there with Mom’s name on it – we got $571. Isn’t that neat?!

With all of you, we celebrate “the good news of great joy that will be for all the people…a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”.

Merry Christmas!

Vince and Verla

2004

December 2004

Dear ___________,

It is hard to believe that it is time to send out Christmas Greetings again. We have already received a few from the early birds who are so organized. We have had our annual Norse Club Smorgasbord with the lutefisk and lefsa; and a reception for the faculty and staff emeriti of the College of Dentistry; we have seen the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker performance; and still to come is the department faculty Christmas brunch at the home of the Chair of the Department.

With children living on both coasts, we have traveled during this past year: In May we went to Maryland to visit the Boyds (Dawn, Bob, Heather and Andy) and to attend Heather’s graduation from Salisbury (MD) University. It was a busy but enjoyable time.

In June, we went to Lake Tahoe to see Mark and to attend a gala for the presentation of a musical which he, together with the Drama professor at the college, wrote. (Mark wrote the music and Dave wrote the book.) They called it Lysistrata’s War, based on an old Greek play.

And in July we joined Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, and Amaya and Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. at a Minnesota lake for a week. We had a nice house which held all of us; it was such fun.

My mom died in August, so there were a couple of trips to Minnesota to share her last moments and to attend her funeral. If she had lived 17 more days, she would have been 95, a long life. We think of her often.

In September we again headed for Minnesota to attend my high school class reunion – let’s see how many years was that?

On a long weekend in October, we took a Iowa Public TV bus tour to Branson – the days were filled with excursions, shows, dinners – the family friendly atmosphere as well as the patriotic emphasis was enjoyable.

And in between that we squeezed in a few trips to Decorah – Vince still teases the trout or do they tease him?

With all of you, we celebrate “the good news of great joy that will be for all the people…….a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”.

Merry Christmas!

Vince and Verla
verlawilliams@juno.com

2003

Dear __________,

We are both doing just fine – what do they say, “we’re in pretty good shape considering the shape we’re in”, - you know, skin sagging around the jowls, underarm flap, bent shoulders, tummy paunch, etc. But we are still going strong, enjoying the activities in Iowa City, sometimes in Decorah. Vince still goes in as a consulting prosthodontist one day a week, but wonders if he will next year. Then there is Book Club, Norse Club, Zion Bible Class, - we both keep busy.

Our “kids” are all fine, also, and our travels this year have involved visits to all of them. In March we went out to Maryland to visit Dawn and her family. Bob had a “Change of Command” and that is always such a beautiful ceremony – dress uniforms, flags and flowers, salutes, escorts to our seats. Neat! Heather is a senior at Salisbury University but she was able to come home for that, so we got to see her, too. Dawn is home schooling Andy, but he is beginning to look forward to taking some science courses at the Community College when he turns 16 in February. Dawn is still very active at church, and is now teaching 4-year-olds at the Pre-School there.

Mark is busy at Lake Tahoe Community College – he sold his condo the first of the year and bought a house on the California side. So in September we went out to scope that out. There is little space to build new houses there, so he bought an older one which was completely re-done inside – very nice. We even got to go to a couple of rehearsals for the play he was in. It is such a beautiful area!

We visited Arik and Stacie on the same trip – they also have moved into a new house, built in a developing area a little southwest of Portland. They presented us with our 6th grandchild last January, but this was the first opportunity we had to see Amaya Grace. She is a cutie, but may have a hard time keeping up with her 3-yr old sister, Kaelyn. What a beautiful bundle of energy she is!

And every once in a while, we go to Traer to visit Jene and their kids. They also have built a new house, on a large lot just across the alley from the old one. (They even have a spare bedroom which is called “our” room.) So they still walk to school. J.T. is in all-day kindergarten this year, and keeps the teachers busy with his curiosity. BrandiAnne is a third-grader, still has her vivid imagination. Wonder if she will become a writer?

Mom is still in her apartment in Mankato, and we plan to go up there for Christmas with her (and my sisters and their families). We helped her celebrate her 94th birthday in August. We made another trip the weekend before Thanksgiving: we went to Denver for my brother’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was fun to see all of his family again – that doesn’t happen often. And we also had a good visit with Vince’s nephew, Steve and Kathy.

And so we wish for you a blessed Christmas, not only as we celebrate Christ’s First Coming, but as we look forward to His Second Coming!

2002

December 2002

It is difficult to tell the story of our past year, because for so many (the family extended, and all who I e-mail) already know so much of it. But for all others:

There have been mountain tops and there have been valleys.

Easter weekend we were in Portland, OR, for the wedding of Arik and Stacie – it was beautiful! And all of his siblings were there to share it, plus his cousin Steve and Kathy from Denver.

June found us on the other side of the continent, in Maryland, celebrating the graduation from high school of our oldest granddaughter, Heather. Since she was home schooled, her graduation was planned by her superintendent, principal, and teacher (her parents) – it was neat!

In September, we winged our way to Stateline, NV, (Lake Tahoe) to watch and listen to Mark as he had the lead in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. He was terrific! He said it was the most difficult role he has ever played – to watch him change from Jekyll to Hyde was most interesting.

In November we again drove to Maryland to have Thanksgiving with the Boyd family. On the day before Thanksgiving we rode with Dawn to Salisbury to pick up Heather – she attends the university there.

The summer was a different story for our youngest daughter - Jené was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June, had surgery in July, and recuperated in August and September. The tumor was benign for which we all thank and praise God. God was besieged with prayers on her behalf from friends and family all across the nation.

In December, we are not going to Florida to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes football team play in the Orange Bowl. We did go to most of the home games and watched the transformation of the team from 0 wins-8 losses in the Big 10 four years ago to 8 wins-0 losses in the Big 10 this year. Wow!

As for our daily routine, it is much the same: Vince is still prosthetics adjunct at the Dental College, I’m still involved with the Bible Study and quilt tying at Zion, and we try to get 3 or 4 walks accomplished each week (our drs. say exercise is good!).

“Don’t be afraid!” he {the angel} said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem.”

Merry Christmas!

2001

December 2001

Dear ________,

In just re-reading some past Christmas letters seeking inspiration for this one, I instead became depressed. Take the 1982 letter for example, I filled an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet solid with news, in rhyme yet. Uffda! And using that letter as an example, we have now been living a very inactive quiet life. Then why do I think I am so busy?

Anyway, this has been a good year:

Mom still lives in her apartment in Mankato, slowing down, losing her vision, celebrated her 92nd birthday. She is glad for evening meals served 5 nights a week, and morning coffee with several of the other residents.

Our "kids" are all in the same place as last year, all doing the same thing: 1) Dawn, and Bob, Heather and Andy in Maryland. We were out there for Memorial Day weekend - saw the Blue Angels perform. What precision, what noise! And the following weekend we were present at Andy's confirmation service. It was a good visit.

2) Mark living in Stateline, NV, teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, performing some. We were out there for a short visit in August. After taking us up to Donner Pass one day and down to Yosemite National Park another, he was surprised that one of our favorite things was watching him work as musical director for the play Into the Woods being put on by a private company at the north end of the Lake.

3) On that same trip, we went up to Portland OR to see Arik, Stacie and Kaelyn. Arik still works at United Rental, Stacie part time as a dietician. We helped Kaelyn celebrate her first birthday, a few days early. She enjoyed watching the single candle burn on her cupcake, and then getting to eat the cake and get frosting all over her face. Yummmm!

4) Jene and John are still teaching at Traer, IA so we see them oftener, though maybe not as often as you would think living that close. Jene still teaches second grade, and John high school business, and helps setting up the computer for the school, and of course, head wrestling coach. BrandiAnne is in first grade and loves learning to read. J. T. goes to pre-school and day care. They are a busy family!

We've gone to Mankato a few times, and to Decorah a few times. Vince had his 50th high school class reunion in September, and had a really good turnout. The years go by! And of course, we went to the Nordic Fest in July, a Vesterheim Museum dinner at the restored Winneshiek Hotel in October, some trout fishing weekends.

Vince still plays his bass guitar in the Praise Band for the Contemporary Service on Saturday evenings at church - he really likes it!

It is so comforting to know in these times of threats and dangers, that we rest in the knowledge of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior, whose birth we celebrate this time of year. May that peace be yours.

2000

December 2000

Dear ________,

Life is full of anticipation these days:
anticipation of again celebrating the birth of Jesus;
anticipation of His Coming again
anticipation of coming together of family, relatives and friends.

Our four "kids", their spouses, and our 5 grandchildren will all be with us this year for the first time in many years - how many we don't remember. Some will come earlier, some will stay later, but all will be here the week between Christmas and New Year's.

It has been an interesting year, with some traveling. We flew to Maryland to visit Dawn, Bob, Heather and Andy for Easter and my birthday. They live close enough to Chesapeake Bay so we could walk there. We met the addition to their household, Einstein, an Australian shepherd. He sort of got used to us and found out we wouldn't hurt his family. It was such fun!

In June, we flew to Lake Tahoe to visit Mark. There was a premier opening performance of a musical which Mark and a colleague at the Community College wrote. Mark composed the music, Dave wrote the book, and together they wrote the lyrics. We saw it twice, the opening night and then a gala a couple of nights later. It was such fun!

We flew to Portland in November for a weekend visit with Arik and Stacie, and to get acquainted with our newest grandchild, Kaelyn, born August 30. She is a little cutie. It was such a fun!

And of course, living quite close to Jene and John, BrandiAnne and J.T., we go to see them quite often or they come here. Among other times, we were up there for BrandiAnne's birthday in July, and again for J.T.'s in November. And that was such fun!

Vince and Arik, brother-in-law Dalen and a friend of his, went to Alaska for a week's fishing trip in July. They caught a goodly amount of salmon which we have been enjoying. They had such fun!

I spent that week with Mom. We had intended to do a little visiting friends, etc. - instead she had her pacemaker replaced and spent part ofthe week in the hospital. It was good I could be there.

Sister Sharon and I took an 8-day bus tour to Washington, D.C. and New York City in May - the tour was sponsored by the Decorah Norwegian-American Museum (Vesterheim). We saw the Viking exhibit at the Smithsonian in D.C. and the Norwegians in N.Y. exhibit at Ellis Island, noting the 175th anniversary of the first major emigration of Norwegians to America.
We had such fun!

1999

December 13, 1999

Dear ________,

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is
Christ the Lord" - our prayer is that you have a blessed Christmas!

So many are saying the year has passed so quickly, and we agreel Our year has been filled
with happy times:

- the wedding in Morris, IL of Vince's great niece, Tara Zylla to Jim Walke - it was beautiful, and so good to see Lanita (Vince's niece) and Brian and Candice and their little girl, and of course, Steve and Kathy.
- the Johnson Cousin reunion in Decorah at Nordic Fest time. There were about 80 at the Saturday evening picnic, and nearly that many at the Sunday noon dinner. Florida and California and places in between were represented. Steve and Kathy flew in from Denver and stayed with us a night at our little "get-away" apartment.
- the 90th birthday celebration for my Mom in August. Most of her descendants were at a picnic in Mankato - 50 or so. She has 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and even now this month is awaiting the arrival of her first great great grandchild. My brother thinks it's worse that he is going to be a great grandpa. All 4 of our children with spouses and children spent the week prior to the Party with us. That was really neat! It's not often the 4 are home at the same time.
- my high school class reunion in Windom, MN - 50 years. Uffda! Some hadn't changed much,
some had. It was fun.

Our children's lives are much the same. However, Bob has a new tour of duty so Dawn and
Bob, Heather and Andy moved from Centreville VA to St. Leonard MD last spring. We were out to see them in their new house when they were barely settled. Andy went fishing with his grandpa; Heather and I did a sewing project, besides the sight seeing and visiting.

Mark has just moved from Carson City to Stateline, NV. He says he has a beautiful view of
Lake Tahoe on one side and the Carson valley on the other. He will be teaching voice, musical
theater, whatever at Lake Tahoe C.C. He and another faculty member have written a musical which they will be doing next June - we hope to go out and see it.

Arik is at the same job in Portland - he has gotten a boat and with his special friend, Stacie, has gotten into fishing. He was thrilled to have caught a 7 foot sturgeon. Wow!

Jene and John are still in Traer, IA, both teaching. BrandiAnne and IT. keep them on the move when they're not working. IT. just turned 2, andis into trucks, big, little and in between. BrandiAnne has her dolls - she loves her nativity set and talks with Mary, 'Dofus' and baby Jesus.

Vince was asked to come back as a prosthodontic consultant, so he spends Wednesday mornings at the Dental College. He enjoys the interaction with the senior students and the camaraderie with his colleagues.

I just keep busy. I continue to lead a Bible study at the church, 12 weeks in the fall session, and 12 weeks in the spring. That keeps me studying!

picture i.d.: Bob Boyd, Mark, Arik, Vince, Stacie, John Daub holding J.T.
Heather, Dawn, Andy, Verla, Jene holding BrandiAnne

Mom

1998

15 December 1998

Dear __________

Merry Christmas and all the Blessings of the Season!

The picture on the card is of Brandi Anne, Jene and Verla in Decorah in July for the Nordic Fest. We were in the Bunad (costumes) shows.

That was one of our outings. Others were:

To Chicago for an annual Dental Meeting.

To Traer, Iowa, home of Jene and John for the baptism of J.T. in April and again in July for BrandiAnne's birthday. J.T. is now one, almost walking, happy, energetic. By looking, you'd never guess he was a preemie. BrandiAnne is three, inquisitive, curious, imaginative. It's fun to watch her at play, listen to her chatter, hear her say, "I love you."

To Virginia the end of May to be with Heather on her Confirmation Day. It's always fun to visit Dawn and Bob, Heather and Andy.

And the end of October we drove to Denver. Mom rode along with us and first we visited brother Gordon and family. Saw several of his 'kids' and some of his grandchildren. Vince and I then visited his nephew, Steve and Kathy. They live in the south of Denver. It was a good visit! They visited us at our Decorah apartment Memorial Day weekend. Steve and Vince fished for trout, caught some and fried them up for a trout dinner.

We had a good time at the lake in Northern Minnesota in June when our 'kids' and grandchildren gathered for a week. It had been three years since we'd all been together (for a similar week) but this time not quite all - the Navy had other plans for Bob, a trip to Australia no less.

The kids are all in the same places doing the same thing as last year. Dawn and Bob are anticipating a move, perhaps in January - perhaps to Maryland (not very far). Jene and John remain in Traer, though Jene is teaching full time this year (second grade). Right now, John is busy coaching wrestling, as well as his teaching.

Arik is still in Portland, OR. and Mark in Carson City, NV - no major changes there.

Mom made some major changes this year: she moved to an apartment in Mankato in July. She decided to give up her car in September.

We had a fun time helping her celebrate her 89th birthday in August. We went out for lunch and by the time we finished, Mom had about 11 balloons tied to her wrists and her chair - the waitresses and waiters all entered into the festivity of the day! All 11 brought her a Sundae, topping it with every imaginable topping and then proceeded to eat it themselves. They did bring another one for her to eat!

Another fun event - niece Jessica's wedding to Brady Town in July.

And a sad event - the funeral in Decorah of dear friend, Willis.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior...."

Best greetings,