Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
NameDonald Norman MILLER
Birth25 Apr 1924, Los Angeles, CA
OccupationEngineer
EducationNavy
ReligionDonald had been married to Evelyn Miller
Spouses
Death1 Aug 2001 of cancer, in San Fernando, CA
Birth14 Mar 1927, Aberdeen, SD
OccupationSecretary
ReligionLutheran .. click Jewell’s name to see further notes
FatherCarl (Karl) Gottfrid WINDH (1881-1940)
Misc. Notes
On July 24, 1989, Jewell wrote of her parents:

MOM:
“My first memory of mom is in the house a mile from Aylesbury (the one where I also remember the taffy being blown away before we had a chance to pull it; mom had put it outside to cool a bit). My next memories, in Canada, have to do with making a cake for mom every afternoon after school so we could have dessert for dinner. Mom's sewing for me was special. I'll never forget a beautiful green chiffon dress for the Christmas program; I can see it still!!

In Washington, mom was always there for me, even though we didn't always agree. She encouraged me to sew, to learn the violin, and to be in the band in Jr. High School, all things I really appreciate because they are still with me. I still sew, and my love of music is a definite part of my enjoyment in life to this day.

In mom's later years, she was always encouraging and she was so happy to see that I had some of the conveniences in life that she never had. I enjoyed taking her out and buying (when money was available) her some clothes. She always wanted to look "nice" and she did! My children remember her with fond memories too; she always had something in her purse for them . . Life Savers, gum, etc.”

DAD:
“My first real memory of dad was when he was ill and in the hospital in Moose Jaw. I can still recall some things that went on before that (such as watching while he butchered a pig--ugh!) but those memories are few.

My awareness of him as a person and as my father was most evident when we moved to Washington. He was around the house then because he was unable to work. His garden was his pride and joy. His dahlias and gladiolas were beautiful and the strawberries were delicious.

My last memory of him was one I'll never forget. On the day he died, mom asked me to take his lunch to him on 6th Avenue, just four blocks from our house. He was selling Christmas trees on a cold and rainy day, and he was very happy to see me with a nice warm lunch. Our parting was a wonderful one, and my memory is that mom and I "cared" that day and that he knew it.

Dad was able to let me know how proud he was when I did recitations or brought home a good report card. He made me feel a confidence in myself that I cherish.”


ANOTHER VERY INTERESTING SOURCE:
After Jewell (with her sisters Ruth and Marion and their aunt Anna Oswood Luebben) visited the Windh farm in Norra Rörum in August of 1979, Marion received the following letter from a man named Henrik Svärd whom they had met at the Norra Rorum church. It is dated Jan. 20, 1980:

“Thank you very much for your kind letter. I have never got a so far away Christmas greeting.

I understand it vas touching and moving to you a rainy and cold day stay by the ruins of your fathers native home. I shall be delighted to tell you about the Wind family. However I vas not their nearest neighbour since I live in the norther part in Norra Rörum.

I do not have memory of your father but Maria I often saw. I keep in mind about 1930 Maria and the ladyfriends Olga Thomasson and Rut Martinsson frequently come by bicycle to the church. Every now and then I saw Maria in the shop. She vas a woman vith a lively manner.

In 1950 my brother-in-law purchased a farm close to Agerup. Now and then Maria bought milk of my sister. Since Marias health gradually became bad and she had no more strength to heavy work, she has been forced to sell the farm. Ture had been very little help. Maria vas grieved about his dullness and clumsiness to farmwork. Ture was rather troublesome to deal vith and ungratefull to Maria. He had to and fro work as woodcutter but Maria have to help him vith the subsistence. She was far from seeing his fault and did not like anyone to blame him.

Marias illness grow worse. It was cancer in the throat and she must go to the hospital in Lund. It was incurable and in a short time she was died. My sister call on Maria a few days before the end.

Alone in the house Ture had a hard time. His dinner was not on the table, cleaning was neglected. He lamented, he must have a woman in the house to tend on him. Look about for he make acquaintance vith a “lady.” She wheedled out of him all the valuable things in the house. Copper vessels, the wall clock, antique furniture.

When young, Maria was engaged with a man from Hallaröd. Like girl at the time, Maria had made a dowry with all the textiles to a home. The engagement was broken but Maria keep it in a chest, it was never used. She was neathanded and was very proud over the nice things. Sometimes she displayed to friends. Even the chest vas gone away.

With no more to capture in the house, Ture was alone once more. Now went it quickly backward with him. He borrowed money everywhere, to heat up the house he cut down equipment in the farmhouse, even furniture gone in the furnace. However to the end the social assistance took over and Ture went to Höör.

Maria had sold the farm to Tage Thomasson, owner of the big farm next to. She had a right to stay in the dwelling house. It was a nice house. Maria tended the garden, in room was frugal but pleasant, in the window flowers. Ture let it go to ruin. Thomasson was also annoyed of the quarrel he and his tenant farmer had had with him. Now with Ture departed [he went to a home in Höör on July 1, 1968], Thomasson let the fire brigade set fire on the house. A excavator planed the ground. The Wind farm was gone.

I have told you a sad story and now I will close up for this time. In few weeks I shall help Rut Martinsson and her brother with the tax declaration. Rut and Erik is about 80 years old and can tell me about your family so you can looking forward to hearing from me.

I hope you can understand english in the way I am writing.”
With kindest regards
Yours sincerely,
Henrik Svärd
Holma 3301
243 00 Höör
Sweden
Marriage17 Jan 1987, Laguna Hills, CA
Last Modified 17 Jul 1997Created 15 Nov 2024 using Reunion for Macintosh