John and Anna Rigdon Descendants
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Lee Roland Rigdon was the first born to John and Anna on February 6, 1904. When Lee was three the family moved to Texas and lived there for six years. They returned to Iowa and Lee attended Barclay Country School #5 and finished the 8th grade. When Lee was sixteen he left home to work for a farmer near Dysart. He was a hard worker but when not working he liked to box and sometimes boxed at the elevator in Dewar. He also played baseball with area teams which often wound up in a fight. Lee went to work in Cedar Rapids as a boiler maker's helper in the railroad shops. He joined the Army and was in the Horse Artillery and spent most of his three years in Camp Dodge near Des Moines. He came home and found work at John Deere but knew he wanted to farm. He rented 40 acres off Donald St. |
He married Leone Holdiman and they lived with Leone's father on Akermant St. in Waterloo until about 1933 when they moved to the Barck farm just north of Waterloo. In the spring of 1936 they moved to a farm five miles north of Allen Hospital and two miles east. Lee bought a farm just southeast of Klinger and moved there in about 1943. In 1946 they bought the farm where he, his son and grandson have lived and farmed two miles east of Dunkerton. He farmed, raising grain and livestock, until he retired. He was a diverse farmer and willing to try new things. He was active in farm organizations and managed the Dunkerton Co-op Elevator in its early years. He was also on the Dunkerton School Board and on the County A.S.C.S. Committee and served as County Chairman for several years. He was an avid and skilled gardener and spent many hours gardening in his retirement years. He helped found the Farmer's Market in Waterloo.
Lee and Leone had four children, Roland, Kenneth, Marian and Robert. Lee passed away on April 20, 1988 and Leone passed away on November 21, 1993. They are buried at the Garden of Memories north of Waterloo.
Neal Alvin Rigdon was the second born to John and Anna Rigdon on August 6, 1905. He moved from Iowa to Texas when two years old and back to Iowa six years later. He attended Barclay #5. The family lived on a farm but farm work was difficult for him because he suffered from asthma. He did deliver milk door to door when his family ran the small dairy. Neal worked for Huff Dairy and Thompson's Dairy near Jesup. He delivered for Gamble Robinsons Fruit Co. in the mid 20's. His father arranged to pick up the spoiled food to feed to their hogs and the family salvaged and canned what they could. |
Neal was introduced to Lucille Clara Webster in 1924 at the Spider Kurth Dance Pavilion by Frank Rigdon, Neal's cousin. Neal was working on the milk route at the time they met. On April 6, 1927, they were married. They bought their first home at 1127 Columbia St. On August 4, 1928 their first son, Jack was born; and on July 4, 1937, their second son, Dick was born. Neal worked shortly for John Deere, as manager of a chain store in Nashua, and tried the grocery business on Conger Street. Neal wanted to be a salesman so he got a job with Iowa Glass and Paint Co. on East Fifth St. going home to home helping customers. He worked for Gamble Robinson Fruit Co. as a salesman. In 1947 he went to work for Hoxie Fruit Co. He worked there for fourteen years and proved to be an outstanding salesman. In 1957, Neal achieved the company's distinguished salesman in sales and collections and years of service award. Neal was first in sales and Hoxie awarded him with a plaque with his name engraved on it. Neal also worked at Big T Grocery Store located on Parker St. on Saturdays in the fruit department. In 1953, he and Lucille moved to #7 Hanna Blvd. Neal's health began to decline. In 1959, he had his first light heart attack but seemed to recover. In 1960, they bought their last home at 2007 Primrose Dr. in Cedar Falls from brother Jay. They lived there for two years. Neal had to retire in June of 1960 because of several light strokes and heart attacks. Neal passed away on July 29, 1962 at the age of 56. Lucille lived to be almost 100. She passed away on May 8, 2007.
Ruth Josephine Rigdon Barck was the third child born to John and Anna on November 15, 1906. The family was living on a farm on Independence Ave. at the time of her birth. The year after her birth she moved with her parents and two brothers to Virginia City, Texas where her parents ran a hotel for a land development company. The family returned to Iowa and they lived on a farm seven miles east of Waterloo. Ruth attended school at Barclay #5. In 1920 the family moved to Waterloo on the Edwards' place. Ruth joined the work force and found employment at the telephone company. It is believed she lived in a boarding house in Waterloo while working there and would come home on holidays and special occasions. |
On May 25, 1926, Ruth married William Barck. They moved in with Bill's mother on her 60 acre farm near Waterloo. In 1932, they moved north of Littleton to farm, but eventually the family moved back to the Barck farm. Bill also worked at John Deere. During those years they had five children: Donald, Dale, Eleanor, Elizabeth and Mary. In 1942, they had a sale, loaded up the car and set out to start a new life. During WW II there was work in the shipyards around the country. The Barcks traveled to Vancouver. They found work with even the older children working during the summer. When the war ended, so did the work, and they were laid off. Again in 1945, they packed up the car and took a long trip, all the time looking for work. They first went to Olympia, Washington, traveled through Yellowstone, and ended up in Yuma, Arizona. Bill found a job as a fireman at the air base. Ruth once again worked at the phone company. After a year the base closed. Remembering how beautiful Olympia was, it was decided to return there to find work. They bought 80 acres of cutover timber where Bill was kept busy clearing timber and building their new home. Ruth once again was successful at finding work at the phone company. She retired from there in 1968. Bill and Ruth spent much of their time gardening and growing flowers. In 1975, they moved into town. Bill passed away in 1980. Ruth enjoyed gardening, playing pinochle, baking bread and making quilts. Like her mother and some of her siblings, she kept a daily diary. The Barcks always welcomed visits from their Iowa relatives. Ruth was involved in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, which was full on the day of her funeral. Ruth died November 26, 1988, a short time after having a stroke. She is remembered as having a quick wit, a keen memory and being a good mother and grandmother.
Jay Harold Rigdon was the fourth child born to John and Anna on November 25, 1909. He was born near Muleshoe, Texas. Since the nearest doctor was several miles away, his father assisted in his birth at home. When Jay was five the family returned to Waterloo and lived on Smith St. Then they moved east of Waterloo on the Gibson farm and Jay attended Barclay Country School and the Barclay Presbyterian Church. In 1920 the family moved to the Edwards' place and he attended a country school one and one half miles away. He started East Junior High but like many other boys his age dropped out to work at home or for nearby farmers. The canning factory in the area owned a large amount of land that was used to grow sweetcorn. He worked at one of these farms. He also worked at Gamble Robinsons, a large fruit and vegetable company that sold to small grocery stores in the area. He delivered produce. In the late 20's and early 30's, Jay and Lee worked at John Deere. The Depression hit, they lost their jobs. He moved back home and worked for a farmer in Orange township for $25 a month. In 1934 he returned to work at John Deere while living with Lee on the Barck farm on Moline Road. |
In 1936, he married Agnes A. Casey in Rockford, Illinois. Agnes was not only his wife but also his co-worker as she worked side by side Jay in many of the businesses they were to later own. They owned the Diamond Café that was located across from John Deere. They owned and managed the Sky Harbor Inn and later, the Conger Tap. At some point in his life, Jay got involved with bowling. Not only was he good at it, he saw the need for additional bowling facilities in Waterloo. He bought and managed Bur-Park Bowling Alley which was located in the basement of The Big T, a supermarket on the corner of Burton Avenue and Parker St. It was a 14 alley facility, and the pin setters were not automatic – they were human. Jay became well known as one of the leading bowlers in the area and had his name and picture published in the Waterloo Courier often for his high games and series. He did achieve the dream of all bowlers – to bowl the perfect game, a “300”. He also was a past President of the Waterloo Bowling Association. Jay and two business partners built Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo, which was the largest and most modern bowling alley around. He and Agnes managed it. They sold out their share in the 60’s and moved to Melbourne, Florida where they bought a bait shop and small grocery. They eventually retired there. Jay died October 8, 1984 and Agnes continued to live in Florida until a few years before her death on December 27, 2007.
Ethel Gertrude Rigdon Erpelding was the 5th child born to Anna and John on May 30, 1911 in Bailey County, Texas. The family ran a hotel there and eventually returned to Waterloo by train. Ethel attended country schools until high school where she attended and graduated from East High School in Waterloo. She worked at the Woolworth Dime Store and farmed with her brother, Russell, for one year on the Young farm in Barclay township. |
On September 20, 1934, Ethel married William Erpelding at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo with Pastor Melchert presiding. They had three sons and two daughters – Wendell, Margaret Ann, Douglas, Bruce and Mary Alice. Ethel was truly a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She always had lots of love to go around, and this was especially true when her last child, Mary Alice, was born totally deaf. To take your five-year-old to a school hundreds of miles away took lots and lots of courage, faith and love. Ethel and Bill lived in the Waterloo area until 1946, when they moved to a farm near Fairbank. While living there they were quarantined as Douglas came down with scarlet fever. In 1949, they moved to a farm near Jesup. Here Ethel became very involved with the community and the American Lutheran Church where she was active with the women’s circle of the church. She also saw that her family attended and took part in the church. All five children were confirmed there. Ethel was a member of T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) which she thoroughly enjoyed. Not only did she reach her goal, but made many friends, too. She also enjoyed helping Bill at the golf course in Jesup where he was employed. Coming from the large family that she did, Ethel enjoyed company and visiting, especially with her sisters and brothers. When her sister, Ruth, came from Washington it meant late hours were kept so they could “catch up” on their visiting. You would never leave her home hungry as she was a great cook and would ask everyone to stay and have a bite. One of her highlights was when Bill, Bruce, Mary and she took the train out to see her sister, Ruth, and family in Washington when the World’s Fair was there. Also, a special enjoyment was her six grandchildren that were born before her death on December 9, 1968.
Myrtle Viola Rigdon McNamee Morse Myrtle Viola was the 6th child born to John and Anna Barron Rigdon on January 7, 1913, in Bailey County, Texas. John was 36 years old, and he managed a hotel for a land agency from Iowa. Anna was 32 years old. They moved back to Iowa when Myrtle was two years old. Myrtle graduated from East High School, Waterloo, Iowa, in 1929. She was hired by the Bell Telephone Company in Waterloo. |
She married W. Edward McNamee on October 20, 1934, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo and she wore a black wedding dress. A daughter was born in 1937, but only lived a few hours. Two years later, her life changed drastically when their first son, Larry, arrived --weighing in at 9 pounds 4 ounces. As Myrtle was still working at the telephone company, Grandpa and Grandma Rigdon cared for Larry. Larry said he remembered Grandpa warming his bottom side several times. Myrtle quit her job in 1941, and Paul was born in February of 1942. About the same time, they started farming in the rural Waterloo area. They would later farm in the Orange, Dunkerton, and Tripoli areas. The third son, Dennis, arrived in August of 1945. Myrtle was a full time homemaker and farm wife until May of 1960, when she began working as a Nurse’s Aid at Allen Hospital. In 1972, she and Ed had a farm sale and became residents of the city of Tripoli. Ed drove a school bus and worked at the Tripoli Country Club as a groundskeeper. Myrtle loved to cook and bake. She always had cookies made for the grandchildren. She also liked baseball, basketball, gardening, flowers and fishing. She always had her camera ready and was teased as sometimes there would be a lot of ground or feet but not much of the person’s head in the picture. Ed died in February of 1974, and she continued to live in Tripoli and work at the hospital. On April 20, 1978, she married Harold Morse and a few months later, moved to Waterloo. She retired from Allen Hospital in June of 1978, after working eighteen years in the Mental Health Unit. She and Harold did a lot of fishing, bowled at least twice a week and attended all the Waterloo baseball games. Myrtle was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and became a resident of the Lutheran Home in Cedar Falls in November of 1989, after Harold had a heart attack. She died on March 19, 1991, at the age of 78 years, 2 months, and 12 days. Myrtle and Ed McNamee are buried in the Tripoli Cemetery.
Russell Henry Rigdon was the seventh child born to John and Anna on January 12, 1915, in Waterloo, Iowa, just a month after the family had moved back from Texas. His first home was 121 Smith St. When a baby, the family moved to the Gibson farm seven miles east of Waterloo. When five, the family moved to the Edwards’ place on Donald Street where they lived for thirteen years and kept busy feeding a large family. Everyone helped out. An early job for Russ was hauling corn with a mule-drawn wagon from the canning company farm, down Independence Avenue, to a place near Rath’s. Russ started ninth grade at East Junior High. He received good grades in mathematics but algebra was a different story. On the farm, if you were needed at home, you missed school. So Russ quit school in the spring knowing he would be missing a lot of school to work on the farm. In 1932, John Rigdon made a deal with Art Young to lease a farm in Barclay Township. There was still a year on the least with Dora Edwards so Ethel and Russ moved to the new place and farmed there for the family. This was a valuable experience for Russ because he learned so much from Art Young. He would come out to help during the busy time and sometimes spent a few days. One time he brought out three suits and some shoes that had belonged to his son who was about the same size as Russ. Russ was married in one of those suits. Art Young gave Russ, a seventeen year old, a lot of responsibility and Russ was very proud of the confidence Art Young had in him. After John, Anna and family moved to this farm, Russ stayed with them to work. |
During this time, Russ met his future wife, Harriet Brown. The Brown family lived nearby. Harriet and Russ were married July 18, 1934 in Dubuque. They moved in with Lee and Leone and then moved in with John and Anna Rigdon to help farm. Their first son was born. On March 1, 1937, Russ and Harriet rented a farm north of Cedar Falls (the race track is there) from an insurance company. They lived there for two years and their next two sons were born. Russ also worked at the canning factory during the season. That company also owned a farm east of Dunkerton (where the Kenny Rigdon family lived) and Russ and Harriet moved into a bigger home. The farm came up for sale for $75 an acre and $2000 down. Russ wanted to buy it but $2000 then is like $2,000,000 today. Lee eventually bought that farm and Russ rented it from him. Paul left for the service and Russ inherited his milk route which he ran everyday. They milked our own cows, and Russ picked up canned milk and hauled it in to Walnut Dairy in Waterloo. Two more sons were born. In 1946 Russ bought a 40 acre farm north of Dunkerton which they farmed and Russ continued to run the milk route. They finally had a girl. Harriett was continuously having problems with asthma, and she was advised to move to a dryer climate, so in 1951, they sold out and moved to Arizona. Paul bought his own truck and took over the milk route. Russ did several jobs. He worked in the cotton gin for 98.5 cents an hour, twelve hours a day, seven days a week. He worked at a lumber company and mowed and raked hay for $1.25 an hour. Harriet’s health was actually worse so they moved back to Dunkerton in August of 1952. Russ revamped his truck and started trucking for the elevator. They rented a farm north and east of Dunkerton and farmed 200 acres and had livestock. During this time Russ also did custom baling and combining work and worked at John Deere. Their seventh child and sixth son was born in 1954. In 1963 they bought an 80 acre farm north of Dunkerton and remodeled the barn to be suitable for a milking operation. Russ continued to also do custom work until 1977 when they sold the farm and moved to a home east of Dunkerton. Although retired from farming he did not retire from work. He helped his son and son-in-law when needed and worked for nine years during the fall and spring for Jim Nesbit. Harriett and Russ traveled, played cards, gardened and enjoyed being involved in a musical group (Harriet played, Russ listened). During his youth he enjoyed boxing in local matches and competing in the hand picking corn contest – a contest he won and was a proud moment for Russ. Russ felt blessed with good health, with the exception of a few blood clots, and for a wonderful wife who worked beside him. Harriet Alice Brown Rigdon passed away on May 3, 1991. Russ decided the house and yard were both too large for him and he sold his home to Mark and Kim Rigdon Speer in 1993. During the final years of his life, Russ enjoyed the companionship of his friend, June Cummings. Russell Henry Rigdon passed away on September 10, 2000.
Irene Grace Rigdon Weidman Irene was the eighth child of John and Anna Barron Rigdon on August 13, 1918. When Irene was two years old the family moved to the “Edwards’ Place” and is located on Donald St. near Idaho St. While living there she attended a country school about a mile and a half away. Irene finished ninth grade at East Junior High in Waterloo. Her favorite subject was cooking. She completed tenth grade at East Senior High in Waterloo. Irene’s favorite subject was typing. When fourteen, the family moved to a farm near Jesup. She completed eleventh and twelfth grades at Jesup High School and graduated when she was sixteen on June 3, 1935 with a class of twenty-one. During the ceremony there was an electrical storm and the lights went off for a short time. Irene was baptized on April 6, 1933 at Trinity American Lutheran Church by Rev. G. E. Melchert and was confirmed on April 9, 1933. Irene testified that “the spiritual knowledge and understanding I received from Dr. Melchert allowed my Confirmation Day to be the most eventful day of my lifetime.” Before marriage, Irene was a caretaker in several motherless homes and a maid in two homes where the wife was employed. She received her room and board and $3.50 a week. Irene also worked at Allen Hospital in the kitchen where she received room and board and $25.00 a month. |
Lloyd Weidman and Irene were married September 5, 1942 and lived on a farm in Barclay Township. They farmed 440 acres. They raised purebred milking shorthorn cattle and at times would have to take a few hours off to build a crate for one of the bull calves and would haul him to Waterloo and ship him on a train to various farmers in the Midwest. In 1945, they purchased a hundred acre farm in Bennington Township. Irene and Lloyd were blessed with four sons, Michael, Lloyd, Jr., Samuel and Paul. Irene enjoyed gardening and would plant a variety of flowers. Each Sunday throughout the spring and summer she had the joy of volunteering to arrange a bouquet in each of the two church altar vases. She would occasionally deliver them to the sick or elderly. She enjoyed singing in the church choir. When the choir needed new robes but couldn’t afford them, she sacrificed a little and volunteered to pay for them. Irene lost her son Lloyd, Jr. on June 15, 1964 and lost her husband, Lloyd, on April 27, 1967. Irene was employed for a short time as a salad-maker at Schoitz Memorial Hospital. One day she read an advertisement in the Waterloo Courier for an acreage for sale located north on Highway 63. She liked the trees (a mini forest) and shrubbery and lots of ground to grow vegetables and flowers. She claimed “I knew if I bought it I would be buying a four room shack with an attached garage.” Her only interest was Mother Nature and all its beauty. She had no concern if her house would pass anybody’s inspection – it passed hers. Then she sought employment at Allen Memorial Hospital, since she only lived one-half mile away from there. She was not particular and applied for housekeeping or kitchen or patient care jobs. There was an opening in Pediatrics for a nursing assistant. Having the opportunity help care for the children seemed like a dream come true for Irene. Most of the time she worked the 2nd or 3rd shifts. Those hours gave her more time to do the gardening and grass mowing. Irene retired in 1983. During the sunset years of her life she found the dead branches and fence repairs and broken mowers more work than fun. She missed playing the organ and wanted time to play it again. She had lots of reading to do, picture albums to make and recipes to try, so she moved from the home on Highway 63 to Fairview Village in Denver, Iowa. She was very happy there. Irene had many interests: world affairs, politics, sports, and nature. She enjoyed cablevision and the food channel. She said her only complaint was “I will never have enough hours in each day to do all the things I want to do.” Irene passed away on May 3, 2005.
Ruby Elizabeth Rigdon Erpelding Ruby was the ninth child of John and Anna. She was born on March 27, 1920 at the old St. Francis Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. She lived at the Edward’s farm, two miles north of St. Francis Hospital. She walked to and attended country school one mile south and one half mile east from their home. When in 5th grade, she and her sister, Marie who was in 2nd grade, were the only students that year who never missed a day of school. The teacher gave them each a little purse. She had the same teacher from 2nd through 8th grade. Her name was Miss Hewitt. When in 8th grade, the family moved to the farm in Barclay township where she finished the school year and only had a quarter of a mile to walk. She remembered running home for lunch. She had many happy memories of her country school days. After moving to Barclay in 1933, she attended Jesup High School. She walked or ran a quarter of a mile to catch the bus at the Barclay Center Country School. She graduated from Jesup High School in May of 1937. |
Ruby married Delmar Krueger at Jesup Lutheran Church on October 30, 1937. They lived on the Krueger farm south of Jesup near Shady Grove. Her son, Merle, was born in 1939. In 1940 they moved to a farm north of Waterloo and worked for her brother Lee for three years. The first two years they got $7.00 a week plus house, utilities paid, meat, milk and butter furnished. The third year Lee gave them $10.00 a week. Her daughter, Janice, was born at Allen Memorial Hospital in 1940. In 1943, they moved to a farm northwest of Waterloo on Highway 57. The war was on then and Ruby got her first job working in the Chamberlain factory in Waterloo, working in defense work making bombs and shots. Wages were 60 cents an hour. The only men were foremen, older men, and 4F, disabled so they couldn’t go to war. The war ended in 1945. When the men came home from the war, they were hired to work in the factory. Chamberlains then started to make washing machine wringers again. The marriage ended in divorce in 1945. In 1950, Ruby and her two children moved to Marble Rock, Iowa on a farm working for a widower, Henry “Hank” Johnson who had two children, Jolene and Eddie, ages 10 and 3. Hank and Ruby were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They had a son and a daughter. They farmed until Hank died of lung cancer in 1959. Ruby had a farm sale and bought a home in Greene and moved there in 1960. Ruby got a job at the GreeneHigh School as a school lunch cook. Ruby managed to work through troubles and made ends meet and enjoyed raising her family and all their school activities. Ruby married Bill Erpelding in 1973 and they lived in Greene. Bill built an addition to Ruby’s house and a garage and a workshop for himself that he enjoyed very much. Bill died September 18, 1985 from a stroke following surgery at Allen Memorial Hospital. Ruby retired from the school after 21 years in 1981. She enjoyed her retirement years and kept busy with church activities and playing lots of cards. She was President of the Green “60 Plus” Club and played 500 two afternoons a week at the Greene Community Center. In 1995, Ruby wrote “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life raising my kids without a dad, but they have all turned out good, and I’m proud of them ... they are all very good to me and always are there for me when I need them.” Ruby had several back surgeries and she said she learned to “take one day at a time and thank God every day for the many blessings he has given me.” Ruby lived at the Greene Care Center the final years of her life. Ruby passed away on June 22, 2007.
Paul Albert Rigdon Paul was the tenth child born to Anna and John on December 2, 1921. He was born at home on the Edwards’ place. He attended a country school and his teacher was Ruth Hewitt. As one of the younger children on the busy farm, his chores consisted on turning the eggs in the incubator, gathering cobs, herding cattle so they could eat the grass in the ditches along the road, and many others. The family always milked cows and even ran a dairy at one time. So Paul got an early exposure to the dairy industry that later became his livelihood. When he was eleven, the family moved to Barclay Township to the Art Young farm. He attended country school. As the only boy left at home, his responsibilities on the farm increased. He attended Jesup High School. When John and Anna bought the farm and moved to Highway 57, Paul quit school to help his father farm that 80 and another that was rented. In 1941, John’s health began to deteriorate and he died in November. Paul continued to work the farm for his mother. He also had a milk route where he picked up the farmers’ milk in large cans and hauled it to the dairy. World War II broke out. Paul received a deferment from the armed services to care for the farm and his mother. In 1945, Paul withdrew his deferment and joined the army where he became an M.P. stationed in Washington, D.C. Russell took over his milk route. His mother sold the farm and moved to Lincoln St. |
Paul married Darlene Hemsath on April 7, 1945. When Paul got out of the service, they farmed near Dunkerton. When Russell moved to Arizona, Paul bought the milk route and continued his career as a milk hauler. Paul, Darlene, their son Bert and daughter Karla moved into Jesup on 6th street which was also Highway 20 at the time. Because of the improvements and new regulations, he began hauling milk with a bulk tank truck. Milk was now being cooled and stored in large vats at the farm and pumped into the tank trucks – replacing the hard and difficult work of loading cans of milk on and off the truck. Paul continued to expand his business, adding more trucks and hiring additional haulers over the years. Twin boys were born in 1955. They were the main attraction in the family because they were the only twins besides Anna (Paul’s mother) and Fannie (who died as an infant). They built a brick ranch home on Hopkins Street in Jesup in 1961. They belonged to the American Lutheran Church in Jesup and enjoyed square dancing, camping and socializing with their friends and families. Darlene died in 1976 after a year long battle with cancer during which time Paul was able to care for Darlene while his three sons took over the milk hauling. Paul retired and the business became Rigdon Brothers with all three sons involved. Paul married Joan Widdel in 1977 and they were involved with and enjoyed church activities until her death in 1988. Paul sold his home in Jesup and moved to an apartment in Waterloo where he kept busy with his involvement in the Gideon Society, the Promise Keepers and the Church of the Nazarene. Paul died on June 21, 1996 and is buried in Garden of Memories, Waterloo.
Marie Susan Rigdon Mager Marie was born on March 23, 1923, the eleventh child of John and Anna. Marie was born at home on the Edwards’ Place. She attended country school and when the family moved to Barclay Township she attended Barclay #5 and then Jesup Community School. The family moved back to the Waterloo area and Marie graduated from East High School in Waterloo in the spring of 1940. She continued living at home with her parents on Highway 57 and worked part time. In October she accepted a job as Office Assistant at the Waterloo Public Library and her salary was $12 a week. She loved the work checking in new books and magazines, doing the payroll and other office duties. After her father’s death in 1941, Marie, Paul and Norma continued to live at home with her mother. Paul did the farming. Norma was in high school. Marie dated several young men in the area and became engaged to Russell Mager in early summer of 1942. He went in the Air Force in August 1942. While he was home on leave after basic training, they set their wedding date – January 29, 1943. He was stationed in Clovis, New Mexico. Marie took time off from her job and rode the train there. Russ had rented a sleeping room for Marie at a private home. Much to their surprise that couple would be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on January 19, 1943. For that reason, they insisted that Marie and Russ get married at their home and recruited help from neighbors and friends. It ended up being a double celebration with several of Russell’s friends from the base and their spouses there. His commanding officer gave Marie away. The portable organ was brought in from the base with an organist and a singer. They thought that his squadron would be going overseas, so Marie returned to Waterloo and her library job. He did not go overseas, so Marie resigned her job and went to be with him. She got a job on the base in the Civilian Personnel Office. She processed the hiring of civilian employees and did the finger printing. In November of 1943, Russell’s squadron was transferred to the base at Pueblo, Colorado. This time Marie found work at the Sub-Depot Supply Office where all the servicemen checked out their gear. Marie and Russell loved Colorado but by April 1944, Russell received a medical discharge and they returned to Waterloo. They rented an apartment on West 3rd St. Marie worked at 7-Up Bottling Company for a short time, then learned there was a circulation assistant at the library on a pregnancy leave so she filled in for her while she was absent. Russell took jobs at various places (Deeres, Construction Machinery, Chamberlains, etc.). When Myrtle and Ed decided to sell their acreage on Highway 57, Marie and Russ applied for a G.I. Loan and ended up buying it. Theirs was the first loan completed under the G.I. Bill of Rights in Waterloo. It was three acres with a small house, garage and a couple of other buildings. The loan was for $3500 with $1750 guaranteed by the Veterans’ Administration at 4% interest.
Marie’s first son, Steven was born in 1945. In 1947 they sold the acreage and moved to Dinsdale, Iowa where Russ drove a school bus and did custodial work. From there he worked as a farm hand west of Plainfield and eventually back to Waterloo. In 1948, Russ went back to Deeres. They were living with Anna Rigdon in a house on Lincoln St. which they eventually bought from her. A daughter was born in 1950, another son in 1956 and another daughter in 1958. They were outgrowing their two bedroom bungalow and expecting their fifth child. They bought a two story home at 901 Dawson St and moved February 1960. Marie worked at the library several times during those years and enjoyed it. Their family’s activities were mostly PTA, scouting, Sunday School and church. When Marie’s fifth child was in school, she took on an Avon territory and started working for the Waterloo Schools, supervising study hall at Logan Junior High and then transferring to Bunger Junior High and finishing in the attendance office at West High before retiring in March of 1988. Marie also enjoyed a part-time job as switchboard operator at Sears over the years. Marie’s marriage ended in divorce in 1976. The Dawson Street home was sold in 1978. Marie lived in apartments on South Street and W. 8th Street and moved to Senior Housing on Camelot Drive in 1990. Since retiring, Marie has been very busy with activities at the Senior Housing, attending Sears monthly retirees luncheons, having lunch or breakfast with former co-workers from West High, attending luncheons and other activities with “Keenagers” from Cedar Valley Community Church, and socializing with her brothers and sisters. Marie has been a faithful Senior Companion to others – helping them with their daily tasks and giving them emotional support and comfort as well. Unfortunately, as of February 2008, all of Marie’s siblings have passed away, leaving Marie Susan the last living child of John and Anna Rigdon. Marie states “I have enjoyed my family through the years. Yes, I had some bad years but choose to dwell only on all the good years, and there were many. I have been blessed with good health, and if you have good health you can and should count your blessings.”
Norma Jean Rigdon Dewey Norma is the 12th and last child of John and Anna. She was born at St. Francis Hospital on December 20, 1926. Her first home was on Donald St., two miles east of Waterloo. She started school in a one-room schoolhouse on Newell, East Waterloo, No. 6. In 1933 the family moved to Barclay Township where she attended Barclay No. 6. In 6th grade, the family moved again, and she finished eight years at a one-room school one mile north of Allen Hospital. Norma graduated from East Waterloo High School in 1944. Many people were involved with the WW II, so employment opportunities were unlimited. Her first secretarial position was secretary to a purchasing agent at Associated Manufacturers – a government war contractor. Two years later she was hired with an excellent three attorney law firm. Norma married Everett “Bill” Dewey in 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo by Dr. G. E. Melchert. Trinity continued to be their church home. Their first home was an apartment at 221 Cottage Grove, Waterloo where they shared a bathroom with others. Norma took a leave from her secretarial job prior to the birth of her first son in 1948. In 1951 they purchased a home at 227 Cottage Grove. Two more children were born to Norma and Bill in 1952 and 1955. Domestic and motherly duties kept Norma busy from 1948 to 1960. Their social life was church activities and PTA at Lafayette School where Norma held many chairmanships and was President. In 1960 Norma returned to the working world at the Rath Packing Company. It was a big lifestyle adjustment being a working mother! She started as a file clerk and had numerous secretarial roles for house attorney, corporate secretary and sales vice presidents. The family moved to a new home at 1715 Liberty in 1966. Norma left Rath in October of 1978 and Rath eventually closed in 1984. Bill worked as an accountant and regulatory administrator for trucking firms. They served in many volunteer capacities helping others recover from heart surgery. Norma started working for John Deere Tractor Works in 1979 in the Marketing Department. She enjoyed this position until her retirement in 1989. Ten years of service with vested rights with a great company was valuable to her. In 1960 they started their favorite pastime – family vacations. They took the first of many trips to Colorado. Norma and her family planned and anxiously awaited every summer trip, eating in roadside parks, at McDonald’s and motel lodging. Norma and her family traveled in all 50 states – many several times. They also traveled to Canada, Mexico and Europe – including beautiful Switzerland and Austria. Bill and Norma enjoyed theatre, card playing, and sports through the years and especially in their retirement years. They enjoyed live theatre and dinner theatre at Las Vegas, Branson, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Waterloo, Garrison and wherever their travels took them. Their favorite pastime was playing cards – 500, pinochle or bridge with family and special friends. Norma treasured and was grateful for their three special kids and spouses and entertaining and neat grand and great grand children. Norma considered herself blessed and was thankful for good health which she attributed to early morning daily two mile walks. Sadly, Norma Jean lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on May 26, 2001.