Reading in Wabasha

Two of your scrapblog editor's worlds collided in a happy way today when good pal Laurie Hertzel traveled to the Wabasha, Minn., Public Library to do a reading from her book "News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist." Laurie and her husband, Doug Iverson, met some people near and dear to us -- Uncle Elmer (Joe) and Aunt Mavis Sprick. Dr. and Lucy Sontag were also there. Wish I could have been there too!

Laurie read from her book, which is a memoir of her early years as a journalist in Duluth that parallels the broader history of women in journalism during that time.

Two of my favorite people -- Uncle Joe and Laurie.

And another favorite person of mine and yours -- Aunt Mavis, with Laurie. Such beautiful, fashionable, wise women they are!

Laurie and Doug liked the bluff and river country along Hwy. 61, and took this photo there.

Laurie relaxed in downtown Wabasha ...

... and at the National Eagle Center. Hey! What happened to her beautiful colorful outfit? She looks different!

Rest in peace, dear Anna

Anna Sophia Sprick Smith, Oct. 16, 1920-Sept. 16, 2012

Anna Sophia Smith of Red Wing, died on Sunday Sept.16, 2012 at the Lake City Care Center. She was born Oct. 16, 1920 in Lake City, one of 12 children of Maria (Augustine) and Claus Sprick. In 1939, she graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City. In 1943, she enlisted in the WAVES U.S. Naval Reserve and served as a Pharmacist Mate 2/c at the San Diego Naval Hospital. She provided care for servicemen who had been wounded in the Pacific Theater until she was discharged in November 1945. From there she attended Winona State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1947 and received a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1957 she received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. She married Hal Smith on May 8, 1948. They later divorced.
As an elementary school teacher, she taught two years at Bremen in Wabasha County, eight years in Upper Michigan at Escanaba and Menominee, and  30 at Jefferson School in Red Wing, retiring in 1985. In her retirement years, she was involved in various activities; at Wise Penny, Fairview Hospital Auxiliary Senior Center, Goodhue County History Center, the Sheldon Theatre and the Goodhue County Red Cross. She was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing, where she was an active member of the Ladies Guild. She was a lifelong member of the National Education Association, Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and Friends of the Florence Town Hall.
She is survived by two sisters, Florence Bye of St. Paul, Kate(C.J.) Kirkwood of Lake City; one brother, Elmer (Mavis) Sprick of Lake City; two stepsons, Darrell Smith of St Paul and Donald Smith of Balsam Lake, Wis.; several nieces and nephews and a number of step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, five sisters, one nephew and her former husband.
Her funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Lake City. Visitation will be held from 5 to7p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home's Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing and also at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers memorial are preferred to the church or Goodhue County Historical Center. Online condolences can be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
 

Noah's paternal grandmother passes away

Noah's paternal grandmother, Barbara Johnson, passed away Tuesday (Sept. 4, 2012) in South Carolina, where she and Noah's grandpa, Robert, lived. She was 79. She was a beautiful woman, and loved Noah very much. Rest in peace, Barbara.

Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara Reed Johnson will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken, S.C. Interment will be at Fort Jackson National Cemetery on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at 10 a.m. Arrangements by George Funeral Home, 211 Park Av. SW., Aiken, S.C. Mrs. Johnson, 79, of Aiken, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at Anchor Health and Rehab of Aiken. A daughter of the late Ralph Brown and Verna Bell Brown, she was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and had lived in McGregor, Minn., on Big Sandy Lake, for 37 years and on Hilton Head Island before moving to Aiken in 2000. While in Minnesota, she was active with the local Lions Club and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aiken. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Betty and Joanne. She is survived by her husband, Lt. Col. Robert R. Johnson, (USAF, retired), Aiken and four sons, Gary (Betsy) Johnson of Clermont, Fla.; David Johnson of Wheaton, IL, Steven (Ann) Johnson of St. Michael. Minn., and Glenn (Linda) Johnson of Mesa, Ariz. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Barb and Bob, along with Noah's dad, Steve Johnson, helped him celebrate his high school graduation in May 2007.

Bob and Barb in 1990.

Bob and Barb at their wedding.