From Jeannie McCall

Hi, Heather! Having known Diane since 1967 when she joined the family on March 25 (I was the guest book attendant! I felt so important!!), I have MANY, MANY fond memories of my wonderful sister-in-law! Bob & Diane's wedding was the only one that my Dad lived long enough to see. Since my Dad was already deceased (April 22, 1969, when I was only 14), Bob & Diane would invite me to spend time with them in Milwaukee during the summers so I could have some freedom from my over-bearing Mom and Grandmother (who lived with us after having a stroke). Summers in Wisconsin were WONDERFUL TIMES!! In fact, I was in Milwaukee at their apartment when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon!! We stayed up and watched the television coverage, and ate pizza, and made a party of it! What a great accomplishment for America!! KJ was just about 18 months old or so, and each morning she would wake me up by throwing toys out of her crib at me (I slept in her room on a cot)! And summers in Milwaukee were not complete without a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo - we'd put KJ (as we called her then!) in a stroller, and head out and walk as much as we could, and ride the train around to various locations. It was a hoot!! The little Ford Maverick got a workout each summer!

The summer Diane was expecting David (1971), I went to Milwaukee and stayed the whole summer, as Diane needed lots of rest and couldn't do house cleaning, vacuuming, laundry (which was down in the basement), etc. So, I did whatever Diane asked me to do as far as housework and laundry and dishes, and helped with some cooking, and we had a great summer only without as much walking around and "playing," but we still had fun! KJ and I BOTH got brown as Indians as we played in the wading pool almost every day! It was a wonderful summer, and I was so glad to help out so she could carry David to term. (I believe the house was on 63rd Street, or something like that! It's just been too long ago!!) One time they even took me out to a stable in one of the suburbs, and I got to go on a trail ride for about an hour while they just waited!! Diane was just so wonderful to me, and made sure we all got to have a good time. We all went to the Disney movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at adrive-in theatre in one of the suburbs, too - I believe it was Menominee Falls. Those outdoor theatres don't even exist anymore!

God gave me a fantastic sister-in-law (who was more like a sister!) who showed me what it was like to be a good wife & mother, and I have always looked up to her for putting up with me, and treating me so well when I was a bratty little teenager. Once we moved from Norwalk over to Eastern Iowa, it was harder to stay in touch, but we did. Just wish this whole thing wasn't happening, and we could have had more time with Diane. Glad Bob retired early from the DM Register so they could travel and enjoy time with each other.

So, there are a few memories - I could fill pages and pages!!

Love,

Jeannie McCall