(Reprinted from Aug. 25, 1977, Tri-County News) It is at once exciting and difficult for me to attempt to write about a time in which I did not exist or a person about whom I know very little. It has been a year and a half since I began listening to people talk about the turn of the century, the Depression, the good old days, the simple life. There is a wealth of information and experience in our small community. And from this wealth I have gained both an understanding of the past and rewarding relationships in the present. However, when I find someone like Marge Linn, who HAS lived through some hard times and has recorded those times in writing, then I feel doubly blessed and anxious to share with you her life first-hand. Pleasant Memories By Marjorie Linn Spring will always be Something very speical to me With many loving memories Of the little farm where I was born. The meadow flowers, the creek And the tall elm trees Our white-sided house And the red barn. The plum and apple blossoms And how their sweet perfume Would float into the south window Of our bedroom. The work hours started at day break And ended when dark Our feet got heavy But never our hearts. We were a family of eight And our cares were many We were rich in love But not it money. Our house was filled With talking and laughter The chickens would roam The cows in the pasture. The neatly fenced garden Was like a super market store When we’d needed vegetables – We’d just go get more. I had three sisters, and four brothers There was always our family And three or four others. I never heard Mom or Dad Scold or complain Except probably about The lack of rain. While the older ones Were busy making the hay My little sister and I Along the creek would play. We’d fish for chubs Or catch a polywog Sometimes a crab or Maybe a frog. The cowslips were so yellow The violets thick and blue. The ladyslippers were plentiful Where along the woods they grew. We’d pick a bouqet Hold them tight in our fist Run and give them to Mother Always just what she wished. We’d lay on our tummys Snare gophers by the hour And run for home If it started to shower. We’d make a tent Herd cows on the meadow Bring them home for milking In the evening shadow. Majorie Filbert was born and raised in this area, but went to Hibbing to high school because her older sister lived there. In 1933, Marge married Lloyd Linn, whom she describes as the most determined and ambitious man she ever met. The years of the Depression remain vividly impressed on her memory. Since Lloyd had lost his contractor’s job, there was little, if any, money coming in. But Marge canned, sewed, raised chickens and somehow made it through the hard years. “A person has to have some hard times to appreciate better times,” said Marge, as she remembered those years. The Linns had three daughters – Donna, Darlene and Judy. One of the main enjoyments the family participated in was horseback riding. Lloyd taught the girls to ride when they were young, and they remain riding enthusiasts today. Lloyd passed away in February of 1973, leaving Marge alone on their farm. Fearful of the farm’s eventual deterioration without any livestock, Marge decided to move to town the following year. There are many widows in this area, and undoubtedly they share a great many feelings as they learn to adjust to their lives without their mates. Marge consented to let me print a poem she once wrote after Lloyd’s death. It is very moving and sincere, and I hope that its message will be a blessing for at least one other woman. All Alone I’ve always known Most of you by name We seldom had time to talk, No one was to blame. We were all so busy Struggling to get ahead When night came, content with family Exhausted we were ready for bed. The children grew up And now have homes of their own Many of us lost our mates Found ourselves “alone.” Time long – didn’t know what To do with my hands My life seemed to be like The drifting sands. Too much time, Feeling lonely and sick Suddenly realized I was no longer a spring chick. Keep busy, I told myself I refused to be depressed There was housework I could do But I wanted to just reminisce and rest. You have your children Don’t be a sap But for the first time I felt the generation gap. I’d visit some friends I hadn’t seen for years While talking and laughing I was fighting back the tears. No one coming in No mud tracked on the floor If only the phone would ring Or someone pound on the door. That terrible silence Seemed to ring in my ears It really hadn’t been that long But it seemed like years and years. I then asked God for some happiness And not to feel so alone I now feel content with His bliss And my house is again my home. If you know Marge Linn today, you know that she is indeed a busy woman. In fact, she admits that, “I just hardly have time to do my housework.” She enjoys sewing, writing poetry, fishing, snowmobiling, biking, being involved in the Church of Christ, traveling, “bumming,” and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There’s a calm assuredness about Marge Linn. There is a strength apparent in her being, which brings to my mind Paul’s words to the Philippians: ” … for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” I hope that as Marge has gained her strength, she has now been able to share a little with you. You still may not know all the statistics of her life, but you know the state of her being … and is that not what life is all about? ********** Another new beginning for Marjorie Linn … Now residing at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins. Fellow residents just crowned her Hilltop’s Queen. She’ll reign over the summer’s activities and parades. Congratulations Marjorie! ********** Thank you for your support of Kimball’s City Hall restoration project. We are so fortunate to have friends like you who enable this to continue to tell the powerful story of Kimball’s rich history. When young people have the opportunity to experience this, they begin to understand that being a citizens means much more than enjoying the freedoms and prosperity this life has to offer. They learn that each of us is also responsible to value and care for community in meaningul and constructive ways … Your donation-gifts for the city hall fund, phase three, will help complete the front and back of this unique “national landmark” when it turns 100 in 2008. Donor plaques hung in the city hall council chambers will be divided into the following levels and recognize every gift: gifts less than $100, gifts $100-$499, gifts $500-$999, gifts $1,000 and more, according to your name on the coupon form. Call us if you need a donation form, or pick one up at the Kimball Bank or Tri-County News. Your written note will also do. Your payment or pledge by June 30 will give us time to meet the state’s generous matching grant application deadline. All donations are doubled. Your pledge is even doubled, though not necessary to pay the pledge until early 2008, if that works best for you. And these still count toward the match, if we hear from you in June. Can we count on you? ********** “Up and Coming”: We’re gearing up for summer events, including a June 26 meeting with well-known Stearns County historian John Decker, presenting a special program here for the first time. In two weeks, his presentation will be announced in this column. Saturday, June 30, our society will be featured at a booth during Fairhaven’s Old Settler’s festival. Then, Kimball Days 2007 promises to be greater than ever Aug. 10-12, including “Supper in the Park,” “Audrey’s Coffee Nook Treats,” the grand history exhibit, annual parade and much more. Watch this newspaper and upcoming Resource Guide for details. We look forward to seeing you at one or all of the above. Mark your calendar. ***
******* For more information about the city hall fund, membership, souvenirs, stories you have for this column, and just plain general information, please contact The Kimball Area Historical Society, Box 100, Kimball, Minn. 55353, or phone (320) 398-5743, (320) 398-5250, or toll-free (800) 252-2521. ********** “Saluting Kimball’s history and culture”
