*
NOTES REGARDING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, WILHEMINA "MINNIE"(MYER)
SCHWINDT
:
Reinhardt, Wilhelmina, and their children lived in a house that was partial dug-out,
with adobe sides above ground level. The roof was frame, covered with tar paper and
dirt. (This house was still in use by the Schwindt family in 1928.)
Wilhelmina was 41 years old when she passed away after giving birth to Gideon.
Her children, of course, were heart-broken. Reinhardt, Alexander, and Marie were
teenagers, and Martha was approaching her teen years--just when a mother is needed
the most, sometimes.
During a private conversation years later, Alexander spoke to Shirley, his daughter,
about his feelings, and with much emotion stressed how much they all missed their
mother. At their ages, they suddenly became adults and had to pitch in to care for
the younger ones. Their mother had been very loving, patient, and mild-mannered.
Many have commented about"the photo of the five children" and how neatly dressed
they were--the girls with bows in their hair, and you know the clothes weren't
"store-bought"!
It had to have taken forever to button those clothes and lace those boots and shoes!
(Makes a person wonder how she ever found time to sew?)
*NOTES REGARDING MARIE (HUBER-RITTER) SCHWINDT:
Mother and Grandmother, Marie (or Maria, as she signed legal papers) had been
married and divorced with 3 children when she married Grandfather Reinhardt Schwindt.
Her three children: Magdelina, Peter, and Art had an instant large family. What a
coincidence that Magdelina would go on to marry Reinhardt Schwindt (her step-brother),
and Peter would go on to marry Caroline Schwindt (his step-sister).
Grandfather Reinhardt and Marie went on to have a daughter of their own. Her name
was Rosina--a beautiful half-sister! Marie was 41 years old at the time
Marie (Huber-Ritter) Schwindt was born June 24, 1888 and passed away August 5, 1947
at the age of 59. Her daughter, Rosina, was only 18 years old--once again, too young to be
losing her mother.
Pauline (Ritter) Abaar was 7 years old when Marie died and remembers when she
stayed with them for awhile and her mother, Caroline, took care of her.
Eventually, she was moved to the hospital and then to the rest home where Grandfather
Reinhardt worked as a boiler man. She fondly remembers going with Twila Schwindt
to play the organ and sing for her.
Enter content here
