John was born the fourth child in the family in 1948. Larry was the oldest, then Doris, Wayne and John.

During John’s teenage years, John chaffed at Pa’s rules. The boys in our family had to wear bib overalls. I’m not quite sure why Pa believed this was necessary for Christian men. Bib overalls were not in fashion in the public school system. Pa also cut their hair, and it was obviously not a professional cut. John liked to look good. He was tall, slender, bright red hair with freckles.

John was probably about 16 years old when he ran away from home. Like Larry, John packed a few items in a box and walked out the driveway and down the road. I never knew what his planned destination was, but Pa didn’t allow John to leave home. Later that day, Pa came driving home with John in tow.

Apparently, John learned his lesson and didn’t leave home again until he served his military draft alternative service when he was 18. Like Wayne, John also went to Milwaukee to work in replacement of active military duty.

During John’s teenage years, he didn’t participate in the family acapella music. He sat dutifully at the daily bible devotions around the table, but when the family sang songs, he didn’t sing or with us or participate in the family quartet. He claimed he couldn’t sing on pitch.

I always believed John was Ma’s favorite child. Now that I think about it, John was born a salesman. He was good with words and often complimented Ma on how good her chocolate cake tasted. He always had an Ole and Lena joke to make her laugh. John was probably a bright light of joy in her life.

During our visits to Sabbath-keeping churches, our family had met the Monson family. The Monson family was like-minded with Pa in many areas of religious beliefs. They held weekly sabbath church bible studies in their home that were attended regularly by a few other families who lived near them. Our family would travel to their home in Glenwood City Wisconsin to share in their bible studies, have lunch, sing hymns. The Monson family used instruments in their worship – piano or guitar or both!

After meeting and spending time with the Monson family, John became more interested in singing, reading the bible and discussing religion. He memorized bible verses and quoted them during biblical discussions with others. I marveled at his transformation.

John started dating their oldest daughter, Becky. Her dad was a farmer, but I don’t think she had to work in the barn or the farm fields like we did. She was very beautiful, dainty and petite, with flowing, long, blond silky hair. We had to wear our hair either in braids or in a bun, and never allowed to wear it “down” or loose.

I was jealous of Becky because she was so graceful and perfect. She wore makeup, and stylish dresses. Becky was self-focused and spent endless hours in front of the mirror getting her hair, makeup and clothing just right. She often mentioned how tiny her waist was, and how difficult it was to find clothing that fit her properly. I learned from Becky the perfect female hour-glass shape was measured in inches 34” bust, 22” waist and 34” hip.  I had never measured myself, but was quite sure I didn’t “measure up”

When our family would visit their family Sabbath service, John and Becky would take a walk down their country road in the afternoon. Becky’s dad was very protective, and did not allow them to take a walk without a chaperone. Becky’s younger sister, Joan, my younger brother Carl and I were assigned to tag along on their walks.

John and Becky didn’t want us tagging along, and we didn’t want to be assigned for the task, but we stayed well behind so they could hold hands and talk without us hearing their conversation.

In January 1969 they married in a family ceremony at the Monson home.