A Visual Story …
The entire Weets family — Jerrilyn, brother Billy in a frame behind Mom holding Denita, Me sitting on Dad’s knee and Lucy.
Mom & Dad’s Wedding September 2, 1945
Grandpa Joe by his business truck. He was comical.
Sisters Delaine Joyce Ellefson and Mom, DeVonna Marvis Ellefson.Two year old Delaine died on her dad’s (Grandpa Joe’s) birthday
Newspaper report of Billy's death and funeral services.
Portrait of Jerrilyn, Lucy & Billy
I later added my photo and Denita also added hers
Trent Girl's Softball Team in 1964 My oldest sister Jerri top row far left; Lucy fifth one over Me sitting second from the right and Nina in the front as bat girl
A float for the 4th of July constructed by the high school kids from our church
Our garage was used to make many of the floats.
Owen and me with the four Shay kids & most of the grandkids circa 2005
My dad left, young and carefree
Delaine in stroller next to Billy, Lucy & Jerri in back
Note Billy’s gorgeous hair
Billy, me in the metal stroller, Jerrilyn and Lucy in the back
My oldest sister Jerrilyn comforting me as we sat on our front porch
Visiting our Eide cousins in Kansas City
Mom at our kitchen “sink”
Kenny and I playing in the mud puddle in front of my house.
The Trent pool where my sisters and I enjoyed almost every day in the summer
In this photo I am giving my nephew (Jerri's son) a ride on an air mattress
Sister DelRey Thieman, my Spiritual Director, at my home
Our wedding September 25, 1982
My sisters Lucy and Nina, Owen's sons Ken and Michael
My husband Owen William Shay and me in 2015 at Nathan and Michaela Shay’s wedding. Owen was able to read the draft of this memoir before dementia robbed him of that. Owen died March 25, 2021. He had great humor and was loved by many.
Mom’s spirit to survive! Flood in Trent circa 1951
Our house in the back on the left; the grain elevator where Billy died is on the right
My brother Billy-bald from the haircut I had given him in a store. He cut my hair too. He was 4 and I was almost 3.
Me sitting on Billy's tricycle. Look at my hair! Mom so badly wanted me to have curly hair like my sisters. Uffda, the perm was like child abuse. :-)
Me standing on Billy's tricycle.
Jerri, Lucy in back; Nina & me in front--When the film was devoloped, I was appalled that the dog was looking up my dress.
Mom pasted this write up in the memory book they were given by the funeral home
Uncle Tommy Joe with his dog Jingles 1950's
Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Celebration 1995
Book cover designed by grandson Nathan Shay. WE is the important word—WE all need connection. WE all need love and healing. WE all need laughter!