Now that Uncle Harley has turned up the heat to an unbearable temperature, I will begin.
I’m Derrald Dewald, the first and best looking son of Helen (Horsager) Dewald and the oldest, eldest, and therefore the one of all the Horsager grandchildren to have the most time to accumulate memories. My memories of my youth start with Grandmother Adele’s little house in Berlin and the Christmas get-togethers there. There always seemed to be room for one more person even if all the uncles (Miles, Blaine, Buzz, Buddy, et. al.) had to lift their feet whenever a kid (like me) would go dashing through the living/dining area of the house. Her apple tree out back of the house was the most climbable tree in the world; as a matter of fact, if I climbed to the top I could see most of my then known world. Across the street was an artesian well (if it wasn’t an artesian well, I’m calling it one anyway). It was amazing the water would just come out without even pumping. There was also a “town pump” just up the street from grandma’s house and I thought I was pretty smart to be able to get water for the whole family at this pump. If this pump story isn’t exactly accurate—I’m sticking by my story.
Just on the other side of the apple tree was another favorite place—Uncle Miles’ and Aunt Ruby’s. They were always glad to see you and very welcoming. I remember Aunt Ruby as the first person to express an interest in my future and talked to me about what I planned to be as I grew up. Her concern for me left a lasting impression and I still think of that conversation now that I’m retired. Uncle Miles also had a blacksmith/machine shop that had an upstairs that had some of the most amazing things. I carried around a horseshoe nail that came from that upstairs for years and I may still have it stashed somewhere in one of my “treasure chests”. This shop had huge wheels and belts that made hammers and saws work magically! And it all belonged to my Uncle.
My next stop is the house way out in Eastern Berlin. This was Uncle Blaine’s and Aunt Audrey’s house and it was huge. More importantly, Uncle Blaine could move houses with his huge trucks and timbers, and he even had a gasoline truck that he drove around in during the week. I don’t know if he sold any gasoline but, I’m sure he drove around in the big red truck. Now for the important item, my Aunt Audrey was and is one of the greatest cooks in the world and to this day we are still treated to delicious homemade food whenever we are at her home!
Then there were those two rascally uncles of mine (Bryan and Harley) who were just a very little bit older than I was. I still carry the scars caused by the memory of my putting two (count them, two) rocks on the railroad tracks down by the elevators in Berlin, only to be informed the following week by my uncles that those very rocks had caused the train to derail and tip over. Since that time, I have been nervous whenever there is a knock at the door or a policeman looks at me a little too long. I got even by being able to play with all of the rascally uncles’ prized possessions and to by leaving their room a mess whenever I was in Berlin.
As I got older, my memories shift to Bowman and Aunt Harriet (who, like my mom, still has one of the quickest prettiest laughs) and Uncle Buzz’s (he played football so I wanted to as well) house. When fall came around, it was time to go pheasant and deer hunting. Uncle Buzz knew everyone in Bowman County (or so it seemed) and he always was a patient and knowledgeable guide to us novices who had to see and shoot at ten birds before we could bag one. I shot my first deer out near Scranton, ND, and again it was a case of see and shoot at ten, before I got one, (or maybe it was twenty).
On to Montana. Whenever, my family went to see Uncle Buddy and Aunt Hazel, it was like a school field trip. We would go to lumber mills, cedar shake mills, old deserted mining towns, favorite picnicking spots way up in the mountains, hidden lakes for fishing, and lookout towers. This flatlander was thoroughly amazed at the things that people did way out in the mountains of Montana. It was my Aunt Hazel who never tired of hearing our outrageous stories/jokes and laughing uproariously at them. All of my uncles and aunts were supportive, kind, attentive, and over time I came to believe that I had absolutely the most outstanding family in all-the-world. They contributed a significant and substantial amount to my sense of self-worth.
The matriarch (Adele) of this clan was the role model and inspiration for the family. My memories of her will always be warm and fuzzy. She was the Grandma with the gentle words and quick smile. She made her home a home of happiness, liveliness, graciousness, and warmth. She was always proud of us and glad to have us with her. I loved her and all my family with all my heart.