My 7th and 8th grade years were spent at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Honey Creek. This school was located only about ¼ mile from where I was born (we moved to Henley address when I was one year old). My catechism teacher was Rev. Zeigler and regular classes were taught by Marvin Brandt. Marvin lived with my Aunt Nora and Uncle Henry Hemeyer. Aunt Nora and Uncle Henry lived in the house my grandpa Ehrardt built. Grandma Sommerer watered the cedars that are still on the road. This sacred spot is called “Cedar Row.” Marvin later married my cousin, Alice.
For a while our catechism classes were held in the original building which I believe served as church and school. It was a log cabin. I don’t believe it is there now. I graduated from 8th grade at Honey Creek then went on to Eugene High School. I was also received confirmation at Immanuel Lutheran Church. I can’t remember what my memory verse was. I can remember the nice dinner held at our house with brothers, sisters and relatives attending. I received many gifts. I remember a pink billfold, a chiffon pink blouse from Alma & Bud and there were other gifts I can’t remember.
It was special to me in another way – I got to wear my first high heels, hose and bra! I made my white dress (it was traditional for the girls to wear white dresses). I think Margie sent the material. My moral values and spiritual commitment were a result of my parents’ strict upbringing and influence. It was well understood/absorbed from my early years on that expectations were high and no immorality would be tolerated. I am thankful to have had parents who loved enough to make life a little difficult in the teenage years, to later have an unencumbered and fulfilled adulthood. (In other words, I am glad they were strict/mean to me so I turned out good!)