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ADA By Elfrieda Fallert Collver Presented at the Family Reunion Celebrating Ada's 80th Birthday Ada was born October 27, 1891 at Logan, Oregon in the farm home of her parents, Bernard and Anna Fallert. After Mrs. Fischer (the midwife) had given proper care to the mother and the darling brown-eyed babe, two brothers, Herman and Carl, and three sisters, Emma, Elsie and Marie, also grandparents Johanna and Bernard Busch were on hand to welcome the new member of the family. Carl stayed close to home at the time of baby's birth. The other children were with Grandpa and Grandma in their home across the road. When they returned home, Carl informed them that a great big bird had dropped a baby on mother's bed. The bird walked to the end of the porch and flew away. The children most certainly were disappointed not to have seen this remarkable bird - known as the Stork. Storks don't perform this service anymore. It was discontinued during the population explosion. They were knocking each other out dodging all the air traffic. As Ada grew from babyhood to childhood, she and Marie became great pals, sharing secrets, fantastic imaginations, and happy days at play. Shortly after Ada's fifth birthday another baby was welcomed to the family. I wonder if Carl saw the bird that brought Anna. We never heard. It might have been a robin; she was that tiny. At about the age of seven years, Marie and Ada carried on a daily correspondence using an old stump of an uprooted fir tree as their Post Office. I am told that this venture was short-lived because poison oak had invaded the earth in and around the uprooted tree, which resulted in two little swollen moon-shaped faces, suffering with the terrible burning and itching that poison oak inflicts on its victims. The close neighbors to the Fallert farm wire McCubbins, Swales, and Julius Busch families. Ada, do you remember the burial service of the Plymouth Rock rooster named Clubfoot? His death was a sad occasion. You and Marie decided to have a dignified burial for the deceased creature. A grave was dug behind the chicken house; a shoe box was selected in which to place the lifeless rooster. Ben Swales was delegated to be the preacher. Yes, Ben, carrying the shoe box casket, led the mourners, to the grave while the grief stricken youngsters sang a sad song. After Preacher Ben lowered the rooster to his final resting place many tears were shed, a board marker was placed at the head of the grave. Fresh flowers were placed on the grave daily for many weeks following the burial. David Swales thought you were a cute little girl and knew no other way of telling you than to kiss you. You weren't feeling so amorous and avoided the kiss by running on top of pile of lumber. It was after this incident that you were teased by the family calling you Adie David." That reminds me of another time many years later. I had returned home from the hospital after having had surgery. You were most kind to have responded to our family's SOS call for help. We all enjoyed your loving care and the good meals you prepared. While you were with us Ralph came home after attending a meeting one evening. The hour was late, so we were all in bed asleep. Ralph didn't turn on the bedroom light, but planted a very affectionate kiss on the lips of the gal that was in the bed that I had told Ralph I would be sleeping in that night. Poor Ada and an embarrassed Ralph. After that Ada made sure that Ralph knew what bed I would occupy for the night. Now back to earlier years. Ada attended the Lower Logan School, which was located on the Fallert farm, with her brothers and sisters. Ernest Gerber claimed Ada as his girl during these school years. She was always a bright student. While attending school, playing a game, she fell and fractured her arm. Paul Kirchern carried her home, and Mother took her to the Doctor. Ada was about 8 years old when the lives of this happy family were saddened by Herman's death caused by a hunting accident. Two years later the family was left without a father. He died in St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland. Ten days after mother was widowed another girl was born. Poor Carl wanted another brother, but after his first utterance of disappointment, "Just another Dish Rag," he became a very good big brother to little me. Ada was a very sick child suffering the dread disease "typhoid fever" at about the age of 11 years. Mother's good care with the help of the family and Clara and Lucy Corliss and a lot of prayers brought about a good recovery. Ada, I believe you were about 14 years old when you started attending St. John's Catholic School in Oregon City. During those school years you stayed with the Frank Busch family working hard before and after school hours. You also stayed with the Gadke's and worked hard there too. You were a good student and your desire was to be a teacher. However, after graduation from St. John's you found work in Portland when you met Louie Larsen. You fell in love. After a short courtship you were married. Elsie and Carl preceded you in marriage. Elsie was married at St. John's Church to Martin Kuper; Carl and Sophia were married the following year. When mother learned of Carl's marriage plans, she decided to move to town. Work on the farm with only girls would be too hard. Mother and Emma went house hunting. Mother bought a house in Sellwood. Difficult as it was to leave the farm, the move was made. Getting back to your marriage, Ada, your wedding took place in our Sellwood home. The house was well decorated for the festivities. Father Gregory officiated, with relatives and friends present. After the ceremony, dinner was served to all the guests. Wine was served at the meal. After the guests left the table, I (Elfrieda) can remember tasting the wine and thinking it was so good that it was a shame so many glasses still had a bit of wine in them. No one noticed me going around the table emptying the glasses and neither did they notice my staying put in one rocking chair that evening. I wasn't about to tell them I was dizzy. Ada and Louie left on their honeymoon to San Francisco. Louie continued his work there as a mortician. Their son Louis was born in San Francisco. When he was about two years old the family moved to Oregon. What a welcome home-coming. Louis was a darling, happy, friendly little boy. His life then was as it is now - a venturesome experience. He has never been inhibited with fear. He has always met a challenge. No situation seems unconquerable. Louie rented a farm at Hubbard, Oregon where you lived for a short time before locating on David's Hill. Louis was about five years old when a darling little girl, Agnes, was born. What a loving little girl and what a joy she brings to all who know her now. Bernard, the handsome brown-eyed, dimpled babe arrived four or five years later. You have been blessed with three good, thoughtful children, and their well-chosen mates - Karen, Sidney, and Roberta. They have reared your grandchildren to be good, responsible people who love and respect you. You have always been a leader in your community. We are certain that it was through your efforts that plays were presented in the Watts Hall. Big dinners were prepared to raise funds for the community and sometimes just fun parties were held. You are also an active member of the Garden Club and the Senior Citizens of Forest Grove. The Thrift Shop for St. Anthony's wouldn't be a success without your effort and time. Perhaps you should give some thought to slowing down. May many blessings continue to add joy to your life. By Elfrieda |
| Informação obtida com Marita McDonough. |