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She learned the
art of Mothering at a young age being the oldest of ten
children; a super help to the family; quick to learn the
ways of cooking, cleaning, sewing and any and all of the
duties that are required of a large family. She carried
these attributes into her married life; bearing seven
children; more or less carrying on the tradition of a large
family.
Times were rough
for this dear lady who was rearing her children in the
country; living in a log house where it was necessary to
carry water for their needs; washing her clothes on a
washboard; cooking on a wood stove and canning all the
vegetables from her garden plus milking their one and only
cow. How she did this amazes me but on top of that she
filled her extra time with making quilts which were works of
art.
On one extremely
cold New Year's eve, this delightful home caught on fire.
Her oldest child, a son, saw the flames from his room in the
attic; alerted the other children to safety before he awoke
his parents. Everyone escaped unhurt but the home and the
contents were a total loss.
This sweet family
moved to the city where the father had found employment. In
time, their lifestyle became more modern when they brought
in plumbing and propane heat plus they modernized the home.
At this time, the children had all flown the nest to their
own lifestyle.
Once again, they
were the victims of a fire when their propane gas stove
exploded which damaged this lady quite extensively; second
and third degree burns but with proper medical care; she
finally regained her strength. As I mentioned, she is one
tough lady!
Time found her
becoming a widow but she handled that in her fashion;
becoming a part of the area senior citizen's group; enjoying
their meetings and their tour trips. Finally, life was
being kind to this sweet lady but it was not to last. The
dreadful cancer struck this lady. She fought this enemy for
a long time with the strength that she has always mustered
but in October 1989, our Lord called my sister, Donna, home
to live with him.
Let us not forget
this one of a kind; A gentle loving Mother and Grandmother;
Donna Ruth (Hoop) Hilderbran (I love you, Sis)
Norma Liles ?©
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