I went to college at Boise (Idaho) Junior College and later at Eastern Oregon College of Education at LaGrande, Ore. But I didn't want to be a teacher, so I just substituted and went looking for other things.
During my teen years, Europe was falling apart under Hitler and young people of my generation were very afraid of our future.
I believe I was quite a popular person in my teens and at school. I seemed to have more than my share of
1938 Zelda the Pinup Girl
boyfriends. In LaGrande I fell in love with a Marine Reserve Flyer. When he was called to active duty to go to Guam in the summer of 1941, I went to Washington, D. C. as a "Government Girl". When Willie was killed in the early battles of the Pacific I went looking for a way to fill my days. Finally, I joined the ranks of the Coast Guard Spars. I loved the military life and fit right in.
VE Day came, my mom got sick and I received a humanitarian transfer to Detroit, Michigan, where my folks were living in Mt. Clemens. I was released from service after VJ Day but I felt very lost.
I lived very close to Selfridge Air Force Base at Mt. Clemens and there met a GI whom I married. It was a big mistake. I had a little boy. Five months before my daughter was born, I left my husband. (Laverna always said that he had been caught by the Military Police with allotments going to three wives.) I went to work at the air base and later transferred to Hill AFB, Utah because my parents had moved there with their family.
My middle years were very happy. I met a fellow from Indiana. We were married and have had a sometimes hectic life while he was in the Air Force. We moved many times before he retired, but it was a stable marriage and home life. I was placed on medical retirement from my civil service job when I was 47, but it was a blessing. Owen, after 20 years of the military had gone back to working for the Air Force as a civilian.
1947 Owen Arthur Kline
So it was "mom" who took the kids fishing and camping. We were a close family and had a great time. Money was, and still is, a problem, but we always cope. We have lived in a small house and we make do.
I had a lot of friends and outside contacts. I belonged to a garden club for years. I am still a member of the Utah Associated Garden Clubs. The members of my chapter have gotten old and many have passed away. The chapter is no longer active, but us "youngsters" still try to get together for lunch.
My husband is my very best friend. We play cards, take little trips and really enjoy our ten grandchildren. We are still very close to our five children and their children and I believe they would help either one of us cope, if necessary. God forbid.
I am blessed with a living family of brothers and sisters. My three sisters and I are really friends. We try to get together every week. My youngest sister, Margret, is 19 years younger than I, but probably my best friend.
I have a friend of 35 years who, though she does not live here anymore, is never far away in spirit. Ivene and I both treasure this special relationship. I have supported her through much trial and tribulation and I know she would do the same for me.
My four brothers are special, though I do not see them so often.
I am active in church. Many of the people of my "block" have lived here as long or longer than we have and I could call on most of them for aid or assistance.
Recently, an auto accident has severely limited my activities but I surely haven't given up. I still do handiwork and write my "poetry". I do most of my housework now, again, and we will camp again this summer.
Mostly, I love life and believe that I am extremely blessed.
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