When "Nanny" was a young teen-ager her Daddy, after purchasing property in Oregon decieded to move the family there. "Nanny" has told me how their family in Indiana were really worried about them moving out to the "wild west."
Grandpa Lemert then proceeded to make, on the back of a farm truck, what was probably one of the first "campers." They first came to Pendleton, Oregon and then went to Bend, Oregon, where the land was he had purchased. They had been lead to believe that the land was lush and green but much to their surprise it was basicly a rock pile.
While in Bend,Grandpa Lemert went out to the country to help a friend install a well. After all if water was there it could be of use. This was when a tragedy occurred when Grandpa Lemert, while installing a device he had invented, a chain broke, wrapping around Grandpa, and giving him fatal injurys.
It is unclear from the stories at this point, how and when Nanny and her Mom moved back to Pendleton after his death. I do know though that while they were Bend Nanny had already met "Pompo" (my Grandpa) because my Aunt has love letter that they wrote to each other.
On the 7th of January, 1923 Nanny married Pompo at Pendleton, Oregon. From the day of their marriage Nanny's Mom lived with the newlyweds. On 6th of December, 1926 my Mom, Joyce Louise, was born. Several years later my Aunt Phyllis was born in 1930.
Life was not easy in the beginning for this young newly married couple. Pompo worked for a while in a grocery store which Nanny told me was a God sent during the depression. The reason being he was able to bring home food that was no longer sellable for his family. Grandma Lemert worked as long as she was able to at the Pendleton Woolen Mills to help contribute to the household income.
Nanny was always a stay at home Mom to her two girls. She has told me how she did volunteer work at the school in what seemed to be the first cafeteria.
While in Pendleton they bought their first home.
Eventually, he also got a job working for the Union Pacific Railroad Express and after living in Pendleton all of their married life they moved to Hermiston, Oregon in the 50's. By then we had also moved to Hermiston and lived about six blocks from Nanny and Pompo.
In 1974 after more than 50 years of a wonderful marriage Pompo died. We were all very worried about Nanny, how she would do alone and all. We should of realized that she was a strong lady and was very lonesome of course for Pompo but did just fine. She was still in the house they had bought in Hermiston and for several years lived there before she finally sold it and moved into an apartment with less upkeep.
I know this is short but it would be impossible to tell the whole life story of this wonderful lady, my Grandma, my Nanny, in just a few words.
Happy Birthday Nanny
Thanks to Cricketfor framing all my pictures, I couldn't of done it without you. (((HUGS))) and Blessings!
© 1997
