Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Henry W Huber

Born - February 20, 1893 in Jamesville, SD
Died - April 16, 1992 in Alcester, SD
Parents - Frank (Franz) Huber and Hedwig 'Hattie' Rudolph
Siblings - Frank, Hedwig, Frederick, Max, Rosa, William, Otto, Emma, George, Albert
Spouse - Grace M Paar (Married September 30, 1915 in Yankton, SD)
Children - Harold, Donald, Marjorie, Mary


Henry was raised on a farm near Yankton, South Dakota. He spoke often of his experiences growing up near the Jim River where he loved to hunt and fish. This picture is a self portrait of Henry taking aim with a homemade pistol:



In addition to hunting and fishing, Henry loved to play and perform music:

George, Henry and Albert Huber
Henry and his brother Otto are standing in the vintage car 
In 1915, Henry married the love of his life, Grace Paar:


Henry stayed active throughout his life. One of his greatest joys was building things. He took great pride in his multi level bird houses, and was recognized by the local newspaper in Sioux Falls for the benches that he built and sold: 


After seeing the photo in the paper, Grace complained that he had forgotten to put his hat on.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Mary Thompson

Born - August 10, 1932 in Yankton, SD
Died June 10, 2015 in Lenexa, KS
Siblings - Harold, Donald, Marjorie
Spouse - Ronald S Thompson
Children - Lee, Sharon, Terry


Mary moved with her family to Sioux Falls at a young age. She spent most of her life living in Sioux Falls working as a medical stenographer and raising her family before relocating to Sun City, CA in 1984 to enjoy retirement.

In 2007, Mary moved to Lenexa, KS to spend her remaining years with her daughter Sharon.

Mary loved to play bridge and was associated with several bridge clubs in Sun City and Lenexa. Mary also enjoyed creating Faberge Eggs of which she received many accolades.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Blood Moon



Marjorie Jelsma

Born - November 20, 1921 in Yankton, SD
Died - September 23, 2015 in Sioux Falls, SD
Siblings - Harold, Donald, Mary
Spouse - Andy Jelsma - Divorced
Special Friend - Leo Gehring
Children - Larry, Bob


Marjorie worked as an office manager for an insurance company. After that she held several positions for the city of Sioux Falls in the Health Department, Police Department, and Fire Department until she retired. She also worked for Wells Fargo, Dial Bank, an investment company, and various other part time jobs.

During her time working she was also a loving mother to her two sons. She was involved in several organizations such as Business Women, and Insurance Women, and Toast Masters, winning several awards for her public speaking.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Sketches by Nick

Nick has a passion for drawing. He provided me with a few of his latest sketches while we were visiting him last weekend. Enjoy!




Thursday, September 24, 2015

For Every Action...

You know a fad has pretty much run its course when the humorous reactions to that fad start coming out. Take for instance this driver's response to those stick figure families you see all the time on the rear windows of vehicles:


I don't care who you are, that sticker is hilarious.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Curiosity Got the Best of Me

On our return trip to drop Nick off at SEMO, we spotted a small booth right next to a convenience store with a very unusual sign:


Naturally, I had to investigate.

I asked Michele to come over to the booth with me, but she told me she wasn't going anywhere near that sign. So, I walked over by myself, and when I got there, the guy sitting behind the table asked if I had seen the sign, and I said yes, I saw the sign.

The man then proceeded to show me a cute toy he makes that looks like a ping pong paddle with a bunch of wooden chickens standing on it that peck as you move the paddle in a circle. Naturally, I had to buy one.

I also wanted to have my picture taken with the sign. It took some coaxing, but I did manage to get Michele and Nick to join me under the sign.

The guy selling the chicken peckers took the photo, and as he snapped it, he commented that we looked just like the Griswolds.

After looking at the photo, I think I agree with him.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Seen on the Road

We saw some interesting things as we drove across Missouri last weekend. One of those was a crop duster that zoomed repeatedly across the road we were driving on:


I've seen crop dusters before, but this pilot showed exceptional skill as he darted and rolled. It was amazing to watch him work.

More to come, tomorrow.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Across Missouri and Back

Put a ton of miles on the van this past weekend. First, we drove down to SEMO to pick up Nick. Then we drove West across the Southern edge of Missouri to Springfield.

The 19th was Alex's 20th birthday, and so the four of us, along with our good friend Sarah, celebrated with some Firehouse Subs:

Monday, September 14, 2015

Cape Girardeau

Spent this past weekend with Nick down at the Cape, and as one would expect, the time passed much too quickly.


We had lots of fun. It was so good to see Nick after three weeks. If everything goes as planned, we'll be seeing both Nick and Alex very soon. Can't wait.


Thursday, September 10, 2015

A Squirrel and His Nut

I traveled to Sioux Falls last weekend to help with some improvements to my Mom's second home, and while painting the garage, observed this squirrel feasting on a nut:




That was one hungry squirrel. He barely noticed me standing about 10 feet away.

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Donald C Huber

Born - February 14, 1926 in Yankton, SD
Died - July 31, 1998 in Sioux Falls, SD
Siblings - Harold, Marjorie, Mary
Spouse - Rita Iversen
Children - Steven R, John C, David J, Michael H, Kristine G

Donald C Huber
Don Huber was born in Yankton, SD, where he spent his early years living on a farm. He would often refer back to those early years as the best times of his life.

Donald Huber 1934


During his teen years, Don moved North with his family to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In Sioux Falls, Don attended school at the Cathedral. In 1943, at the tender age of 17, Don dropped out of school to join the Merchant Marines.


Don is pictured below in the second row, 3rd from the left. The location this photo was taken is unknown, but it was probably taken after basic training.


One of Don's favorite stories from his days in the Merchant Marines surrounds events that occurred on the first ship he found himself assigned to. A day or two before that ship was scheduled to set sail, he overheard a few of the senior sailors talking, and from what he could hear, it sounded like they were planning to deep six (murder) one of the other crew members. He was only 17 at the time, he was new, and he was scared. Not knowing what to do, but knowing that he did not want to make the cruise, Don decided to injure himself by intentionally throwing himself down a flight of stairs. The plan worked, as he was still laid up in the hospital when that ship left port. Don never did find out if a murder took place on that cruise, but what he did find out was even more disturbing; that ship hit a World War II mine on that cruise and sunk, killing everyone on board.

Don served on a number of different ships in the Merchant Marines, one of those being the S.S.Wilde Wave.


In 1947, Don left the Merchant Marines and returned to Sioux Falls. In the first of numerous business ventures, Don worked as a manager at a Red Owl store, along with Andy Jelsma, his brother in-law. The two of them, along with another Red Owl manager, would go on to open a Super Value grocery store on the corner of 26th and Cliff avenue. This is the ad that appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader announcing the new store:


After only a couple of years, Don would leave the partnership and go on to manage the Walgreens in downtown Sioux Falls.

Don Huber and his father Henry pose with some friends after a successful day of fishing on the Jim River in 1951


While at Walgreens, Don was under a lot of pressure to go to pharmacy school, but he resisted, since he didn't want to be what he called a "pill pusher". In 1956, Don left Walgreens after purchasing a Standard service station on East 10th street just to the West of what was then a Piggly Wiggly store. Don named that station Don's Hi-Way Service.

Don's Hi-Way Service on East 10th street in Sioux Falls, SD @ 1959

In 1957, Don met the woman who would later become his wife. Her name was Rita Iversen. The two met while Rita was working as a car-hop at Ricky's Drive Inn a.k.a Ricky's Quicky Chicky, which was located just to the East of the Piggly Wiggly store. Don and Rita were married in 1959:

Don and Rita Huber
During their first year of marriage, Don and Rita secured a loan from Rita's father Jacob, which they used to purchase a fast food place just a block East of Don's Hi-Way Service. That place was called Frosty Treat. Purchase price; $22,000.

Frosty Treat on East 10th street in Sioux Falls, SD @ 1959

Initially, management duties were split, with Don managing the service station, while Rita managed the Frosty Treat. This changed in 1961 when the young couple made the decision to sell the service station. This was done so that Rita could stay at home with the children. By 1965, there were four boys, and in 1972 a girl was added to the Huber clan;

Don, Rita, Steve, John, David, Mike and Kristine Huber
Don and Rita divorced in the mid-1970's. The divorce was not amicable, but the two would reconcile in later years. Don never re-married.

Don continued running the Frosty Treat through the rest of the 1970's, but business was slowing down as more national burger chains moved into town. In 1980, Don swapped the hamburgers for tacos, and re-named the place Taco Rita.

The name choice created speculation among some that perhaps this was an attempt at re-kindling a relationship with Rita by putting her name in neon lights. Don took his reasons for the name choice to his grave.

In the mid-1980's, Don sold Taco Rita and retired, but only temporarily. The state of South Dakota legalized video lottery in 1989, and that enticed Don to team up with Dann and Bill Grevlos, the owners of the local Shop'n Cart stores, to open up a restaurant called The Neon Diner. Don managed the diner for a couple of years in the early 1990's, then went back into retirement.

Don spent his retirement years living in Sioux Falls. He loved nature, and took advantage of every opportunity he could find to get out and enjoy it.

Donald C Huber