Stories from Family & Friends

Will F. -

One summer a long time ago (#weareold), Jason, Julie and Robbie were at my parents house in Minneapolis for some occasion or another. The squirt-guns known as "Super-Soakers" had just come out and I was a proud owner of one. Jason, Julie and Robbie were not so lucky, they were equipped with vastly-inferior firepower. So, when the squirt-gun battle ensued, I decide the best way to win was to blast Jason, Robbie and sweet-quiet-little-Julie right in the face and eyes. This was a brilliant strategy and worked-out quite well for me until a bit later. I was on the deck feeling pleased with my obvious superiority when Rog grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and put his face right up to mine. I don't remember exactly what he said but suddenly I went from a four-star general to a small boy face-to-face with a angry papa bear defending his cubs. Yikes! After that I had to give up my gun so that everyone else could have a turn.

 

Into my early-teenage years I think I was a little afraid of Rog after that. And maybe a little mad at him too. But I grew, matured and realized these feelings I had buried were wrong. I forgave Rog. Many years later (#holycrapwearereallyold!), I had the privilege of attending Julie's wedding and I got a chance to speak to the Bear. I asked him if he remembered that time. He said he did in a way I knew he felt ashamed. I told him that he was right to do what he did. "No, Willie, I could have handled it better, I lost my cool." No! I stood my ground and repeated my previous statement and added; I was being a little-jerk. I think he said ok and then we continued to celebrate Julie and Dicks union... I'm so happy I got to tell him that.

 

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Rebecca Z. -

 

Uncle Roger and my dad farmed together. One summer my cousin Rachel T. and I decided we would lower baler twine from upstairs in the barn with a sign that said "Pull me!" Uncle Rog and my dad did, even though they were milking down bel...ow. Well, that sure was fun, but then we thought we would tie the baler twine to a beer bottle filled with water. We thought it was extremely funny when either Uncle Rog or my dad would pull it over and water would dribble down on their faces through the hole. We used up all our water and had to go for a refill in the milk house. Rach and I thought we were pretty good pranksters by then. Little did we know there was someone better than us. We opened the milk house door and were met by Uncle Rog and the water sprayer that cleans the bulk tank. Needless to say we got soaked and the two farmers finished their milking...

 

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Karri A. -

 

I remember your Mom and Dad generously taking me under their wing when I first moved to Watertown. They invited me to so many outings and I remember so many fun nights with them. A few that make me laugh still are wrestling with you, your brothers and Dad after a night out...or the time we woke you up when we got back to your house (before the day of Prom)! So many laughs...your dad always had so much to give...open arms and warm heart.