Biography
Helen (Helena), the thirteenth child and fifth daughter besides being the
Last offspring of Henry (Heinrich) Trupp Jr. and Maria Dorothea ( Maridort )
nee Libsack was born on July 20, 1915; post office address being Route # 1,
Box 31, Irby, Washington, 16 miles southwest of Odessa near Moody. She was
baptized on October 20, 1915 by the Rev. C.J. Wagner at the home of a neigh-
bor where Rev. Wagner, a brother-in-law of Fred Kissler Sr. was a guest;God_
parents were Henry B. and Mollie nee Uhrich Schafer;the Rev. Wagner baptized
two other children at the same time.
Helen was introduced to her religious training at an early age, the Coun-
try church, "Emaus Congregational" where her parents were charter members. A
one-room church building to which the parishioners with their families com-
muted with horses and buggies, adults as well as the children attended Sun-
day School before the regular morning services. Partitions could not be used
to isolate age groups as classes; a pew sufficed. An aisle wide enough to
accommodate two people divided the long pews occupying the area; the males
sat in the long seats made of wood on one side of the passageway while the
girls, women and their babies occupied the opposite side. It wasn't the pro-
per entity until many years later but not in this church building that hus-
bands and wives felt comfortable sitting beside each other during services.
Only one outside door, the sole entrance to the rectangular edifice served
as an escape route while at the opposite end the pulpit, a choir loft and a
pump organ rested on a raised platform; that portion of the building wasn't
of the same width but it did have a window on the west side and one opposite
it that matched the other eight apertures rounded at the top and bordered by
three-inch squares of stained glass around the perimeter of the pane,a rough
surface of frosted glass in the center making the outdoors invisible to the
naked eye but light penetrated to the area within. The cross,a symbol of the
crucifixion of Jesus and hence Christianity adorned the steeple on top of an
entryway which served the congregation as a clothes closet for their outer-
wear and the men's headgear. Between the platform and the longitudinal pews
facing it, a potbellied stove had its rightful place for the comfort of the
attendants. A small table with two chairs occupied the space next to the ar-
ea below the stage, a convenient arrangement for conducting meetings such as
Sunday School, prayer meetings, Christian Endeavor and business of the Con-
gregation. Two pews remained along the wall on each side at right angle to
the others providing some breathing room in the middle at the upper extremi-
ty of the corridor. All Sunday services were conducted in the german,the mo-
ther tongue of the Russian-German immigrant but the children soon became bi-
lingual via public schools. Ordinarily all family members attended the three
Sunday church services; especially those who lived within the immediate vi-
cinity up to the twenties. After confirmation the teenagers lost interest in
prayer meetings because of the emotional aspect, so while seeking other ac-
tivities with their friends like ball games which were quite popular; unde-
sirable habits presented themselves as the use of tobacco interested some or
card games, even romances much to the dismay of the parents causing new dis-
cipline problems. Parents knew the whereabouts of their children on the day
of rest prescribed by the Lord. Special periodic conferences scheduled cus-
tomarily at the church lured groups of people from nearby churches as they
sought their entertainment by praising the Lord with favorite songs and the
spoken word. No one carried brown bags which meant at least two meals needed
to be served in nearby homes; it seemed that Helen's father invited all the
visitors. Children were ushered into a bedroom while the grownups partook of
the food during animated conversation. One particular Sunday,Helen's brother
Henry, spokesman for his siblings cracked open the door and remarked,"People
leave the table when they finish eating their food."Surely the reader under-
stands that Henry was just repeating an oft-quoted phrase issued by his fa-
ther from time to time. "Children should be seen but not heard,"an old adage.
Helen's main task on the farm during her adolescence years involved ;hours
of loneliness because the cattle who were allowed to graze on each side of
the country road bordering the cultivated acres protected by a barbed wire
fence were her responsibility. It was customary to plant grain as an alter-
native to the weed problem such as the Russian thistle, wild mustard, etc. A
domestic animal clipped the thistle after the forage had disappeared which
caused bloating after the thirsty four-footed creature drank water to its
heart's content. The green-growing Russian thistle, the only feed consumed
by the cattle for weeks on end in the summer time sufficed until hay became
available or a field where the hay had been cut. Common spiders, tarantulas
and a black true bug, known as a stinkbug that emitted a strong disagreeable
odor when confronted or possibly destroyed provided little diversion or so-
called passtime from the chore of herding cows; the youngster entertained
herself with a songbook from which she learned many songs by heart while she
sang aloud (perhaps that was the reason the cows gave a lot of milk on the
little nourishment afforded them). Helen still retains the lyrics,singing to
herself as the opportunity presents itself such as riding in her car or per-
haps at home and especially does she hold the interest of her grandchildren
by vocalizing her favorite German or English music which they imitate.Little
does Helen realize that as the baby of the family, it was her pleasure as a
small child to hop into the car with her father whenever and wherever he de-
cided to travel that she was subjected to the same condition for he loved to
share with his "Hertzell (the little one, so dear to his heart). The writer
remembers when the proud father as the Sunday School teacher at a Christmas
program announced recitations to be given by Helena Scheller, Helena Kissler,
Helena Schafer and Helena Trupp; his Helena, who almost succumbed as a baby.
Helen remembers a fishing trip with her father and Uncle to Pacific Lake,
north of Odessa; the unworthy skiff they rowed out on the lake, especially a
makeshift pole, nothing but a branch with a sturdy string, attached hook, to
try her luck. A determined turtle insisted time after time to grab the lure
while her persistent father returned the critter but alas and alack, its fi-
al destiny -- a corner in the boat; much to the fishermen's dismay, no more
bites, frustrating or otherwise,causing them to return home. An attempt at
salmon fishing after her marriage never became an obsession due to her fear
of the water.
At the age of 5 1/2 , Helen followed her siblings to school one day contrary
to rules -- no kindergarten classes in those days -- evidently her eagerness
to participate in her siblings' activities prompted her desire in the learn-
ing process and insisted the schoolroom provided her needs.Helen didn't com-
plete her grade school education at the Schafer School, Dist. # 73 in Adams
County because her parents lost their land to satisfy a debt necessitating a
move to acreage owned by Jacob Walter, a few miles south of Odessa,WA. where
the school bus became her transportation. Because her two younger brothers
were needed on the farm and unable to attend high school, Helen felt unpro-
tected and alone adding to shyness which has plagued her all of her life.She
remembers her first day at school in the first grade when the teacher admin-
istered a spanking to the bashful child because of her inability to utter a
word. The family joined the St. Matthew's Congregational Church in town and
Helen became a member of the confirmation class taught by the Rev.Paul Kalm-
bach to receive her religious certificate on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1930. On
May 22nd , that same year she was awarded an eighth grade diploma from the
Odessa Grade School, Dist. # 160 in Lincoln County, State of Washington.Then
Helen matriculated at the Odessa High School, rode the bus to and fro while
the family made one more move to the Hardung place before her graduation on
June 1, 1934.
In the fall of 1934, Helen found employment in a household at Lind,WA.;la-
ter traveling to Sunnyside, WA. with her employers for some seasonal work, a
stint in pinning turkeys. She returned home again to be enticed to seek fur-
ther employment when via frequent and faithful correspondence with her sis-
ter, Marie,learned of the job which Marie was vacating to return to college
in preparation for a teaching certificate. The two sisters roomed together a
short while (nine weeks to be exact) when Marie left for Spokane, WA. to do
her practice teaching and Helen continued working in the home of Albert and
Edna Thompson of Pullman; Mr. Thompson was a professor in the Foreign Lang.
Department. Both girls returned to the farm for the summer to seek and await
assignments which didn't materialize. One could always count on work, food
and shelter in the home of one's parents.
In September of 1935, Helen's father held an auction selling the farm equip-
ment to move to Beaverton, OR. Wheat farming could no longer be managed so the
family made a stab at diversified agriculture, walnuts, rabbits, etc.With high
hopes Helen and four of her siblings looked forward to favorable employment
opportunities in the big city of Portland. The "Great Depressionll of the early
thirties was winding down so a trip to the YWCA produced housework duties from
1936 through part of 1939 for Helen at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts,owners
of Roberts Motor Co. While Mr. & Mrs. Roberts vacationed in Europe during the
summer of 1937, Helen returned to Odessa to cook and keep house for Fred, who
was the eldest of her siblings with no family; her big purchase from earnings
netted a wrist watch, her first, a big deal in those days.
Helen met her future husband, Carl Abel while working at the Roberts' home;
their marriage took place on June 10, 1939 at 8 o'clock in St. Paul's Evangel-
ical church, the Rev. Elias Hergert reading the vows. After the ceremony a re-
ception was held at the bride and groom's new home - 4147 S .E. Ogden, City of
Roses. Carl was employed by Columbia Door and Plywood Co. at 24th & Holgate St.
for 37 ¢ an hour until October 1939 when the plant closed causing the young
couple to find temporary work for the time being.The Churchhill family in West-
morland hired Helen at $ 1.00 a day and board while Carl labored in the straw-
berry fields without sufficient remuneration to keep up their payments on the
house so it was sold; a move to 3619 N.E. Union Ave.. in 1940 took place until
more permanent housing became available - these living quarters, the rear of
the Trupp Shoe Shop belonged to Helen's father. Employment opportunities were
becoming more available so Carl was hired to toil at Nicholai Door Manufac-
turing Co. He purchased a lot, began constructing a house at 6625 N.E. Alberta
to which they moved long before it was finished in March 1941. War clouds had
gathered threatening the entire populace abroad and young men enlisted to join
in the excitement of serving their country. Helen's husband assisted his coun-
try in the war effort from October 1943 to November 1947; in the meantime, she
maintained the house and found mediocre work, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia in
1944, spending 4 months while Carl attended automotive school where he learned
mechanics. After terminating her employment at the Federal Reserve Bank in the
fall of 1944 to spend time with Carl in California before his overseas duties
began, Helen returned to the northwest, waited tables at Yaw's Top Notch from
1945 to 1947 until the war had ended and Carl had received his discharge in'46.
Helen's life, a normal routine again while her husband commuted to and fro' to
the old job at Nicholai Door.
The scene in their household began changing and Helen's love of babies would
soon be realized in the birth of her child; on February 20, 1948 a son arrived
to be named Fred Carl Abel, weight 6 lbs. 15 oz. at Vanport, a city created at
the northern edge of Portland as additional housing for shipyard workers when
it was so badly needed. It was erased on Decoration Day, May 30, 1948 via an
unexpected break in a dike producing a disastrous flood with losses of life.An
announcement of Fred's birth is summed up as follows:
Mommy's awful happy,
And Daddy's one proud guy,
They both are all excited
And I'm the reason why!
The family prospered so that by May, 1953 a new home had been acquired,a new
address at 4118 N. E. 63rd which they called home during Fred's grade school
education where his mother played an important role serving as den mother and
little league advisor. A new business adventure presented itself,an investment
in an apartment house at 1406 S.E. 27th Ave. in December 1961. By this time it
seemed that Carl had been plant manager and lumber buyer for six years in a 24
year period of employment at Nicolai Door Mft. Co. and it was time to move on.
He set his sights higher in light of his work experience to snare a new opnor-
tunity in the same line of work plus the assistantship to the . Vice-President
of St. Regis Paper Co., Forest Products Division in Tacoma, WA. by 8-20-1964.
After selling the apartment building, a new home was purchased in Tacoma,WA.at
1431 N. Highland Ave. Helen and her family pulled up roots again approximately
two years later to reside in a newly-built house on October 27, 1966 at Mount-
lake Terrace, 6701 - 235th St. S.E. where for almost twenty years it has been
their residence. When Carl retired in 1982, he had elevated his performance
category from general manager to Vice-President of Manufacturing at the Wood
Specialty Products Co. located at 24300 West 60th St. where the company had
become a Division of Shakertown Corporation who later moved to Lacy,WA.
Helen's physical health beset by surgeries and accidents in her housewife
years include a hysterectomy in June 1956, a car accident in which she found
herself with a cut lip, a cut over one eye and totaled the automobile;in the
year 1960, a sprained left ankle, gall bladder surgery in November of 1965,
a sprained right ankle and broken shoulder in 1976, a broken wrist and ribs
in 1981, eczema of a certain nature, allergies and in the last years about
with skin cancers, intestinal disorders, emotional upsets, etc. Heartaches
concerning events in her son's life placed a heavy burden on her mental and
physical well-being. A recent Mother's Day card received from her son held a
vital message for an appreciative mom with the following words:
For ironing out problems, and drying up the tears
For loving and for sharing, and for helping all these years.
For adding magic touches to an ordinary day
And doing extra favors, in your own sweet special way.
Love you lots- Happy Mother' s Day- Fred
All her trials and tribulations, it can be said, became overshadowed by an
interest in hobbies; Helen bowled while they lived in Portland, enjoyed some
fishing but has continued the art of crocheting, knitting, sewing along with
special crafts. Her expertise and mastery of skills in handicraft represent
personfied perfection, determination and integrity pleasing every recipient
on whom she bestows her wares. A saver, her collections cover postage stamps
be they new or cancelled, picture postcards, poems, match covers,song books,
phonograph records and paper napkins. She loves to bake cookies and pies for
her immediate family in addition to carting some to relatives and friends on
sojourns from time to time. Besides those talents which her benefactors ap-
preciate is her concern for children,especially the neglected or abused ones
wherever they may be found. Helen has never quite conquered her "doll" days;
four years ago, blessed with a real "live" doll, another in 1985 widened the
horizons for the senior citizen in a bewildered world. Grandchildren, a se-
lect group bring rewarding joys or disappointments to cherished family mem-
bers. Helen considers a close relationship with her siblings a result of the
Christian teachings administered by her now deceased parents. Her true feel-
ings can best be described in her own word, "Ithat's what counts".
Among her travel points, one finds occasional trips via car or plane to a
faraway place like Hawaii, Reno, Salt Lake City, Nebraska, Idaho, Oregon and
eastern Washington, the area of her childhood days where the Deutsches Fest,
a festival celebrating the conclusion of another harvest season with ethnic
foods prepared by various organizations, American apple pie and hamburger.
Always present since its inception, Helen with her husband usually motor to
the hometown for the alumni banquets held in June every year in addition to
their perfect record at the Deutsches Fest.
Devoted to their son and his family, no request goes unheeded, no matter
shape or form; the granddaughters demand their undivided attention receiving
exceptional care with an introduction to books, the most valuable asset in
educating youngsters. Bless these grandparents! To sum up Helen's many years
of life may be a reflection of the following quotation: " I think of my life
as a tapestry I'm weaving. I put in the wrong colors sometimes & then there
are those clumsy knots of pain and hurt and disappointment here & there. But
while I work I believe God is at work on the other side of the tapestry. He
takes the wrong colors and blends them in. He smoothes the knots until they
are part of the pattern. When I look at the tapestry of my life, it really
isn't very special, but I believe one day God will turn it around and show
me the side He!s been wbrking on.and it will be beautiful ".-
At the present time, Helen is a member of the Emblem Club, V.F.W.Auxiliary
and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. ..
Oh, God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,courage
to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference through Je-
sus Christ our Lord, Amen.
History
1990
Helen Trupp Abel
Fall of'1934, I went to work for some people at Lind; they had a little boy and
she was expecting another one. From there, we went to Stinnyside and stayed with
some people; the woman had her baby in the house where we stayed, the house-wife
was a midwife who smoked a corn-cob pipe. We didn't get much to eat; the gravy
the lady made consisted of lard heated in a frying pan and when it had melted,
she added flour and after browning the flour, she added water and that was the
gravy served on biscuits for breakfast. Every day early in the morning we went
to pin turkeys; after the turkey pinning, we returned to Lind and stayed at a-
nother house; On the trip to Lind from Sunnyside, we ran out of gas;the gentle-
man went to find some gas, while the lady and I sat in the car with two babies
and about froze to death waiting for the gentleman to return with gas.The little
ones cried most of the time and after arriving there, we settled in with people
at Lind where we discovered the man who was head of the house was ill and passed
away one night. No diapers had been washed in Sunnyside so we possessed about 3
pillow cases filled with dirty diapers. What a mess! I was never so glad to re-
turn home in all my life. Then after Christmas, I went to Pullman to work where
Marie lived with the Thompson family. Marie had been working there to earn some
funds so she could return to college for half a semester and then do her prac-
tice or student teaching at a Spokane high school the rest of the term.Marie &
I roomed together in a nice bedroom in ,Thompson's basement. Laura tee and Rich-
ard, Thompson's children kept me quite busy;what a job taking care of two chil-
dren -- that's when I decided never to get married and have children.
In the fall of 1935, we moved to Beaverton, Oregon.In 1936, I found a job in
Portland, OR doing housework at $ 15.66 a month.There wasn't much food in that
house so I didn't stay there very long. My next job was at Roberts at $ 15.00 a
month also plus room and board but that was soon increased to $ 20.00 and the
first Christmas I was given a $ 10.00 bill so I bought myself a green dress, a
brown-checked coat and brown shoes.
In 1937, I went to Odessa and cooked for my brother Fred on the farm while
the Roberts went to Europe. I patched sacks one morning while I sat on the front
porch. After lunch I returned to do more patching when I spotted a snake crawl-
ing among the sacks so I watched as it crawled under the porch and decided it
was a rattlesnake. I proceeded to walk to the tool shed, picked up a sledgeham-
mer and hiked out to the field where Fred was combining and related my observa-
tions but he seemed skeptical about my findings. He did come to the house for a
stick which he used to coax the snake out from under the porch and killed it.He
then advised me to watch for another one as 'they usually traveled in pairs, and
sure enough, several days later I saw one as it stuck its head out of the porch
knothole. In the meantime, Mr. Emmett.had come from Spokane so I gave him what
information I had but the snake got away. A day later I discovered it again as
I had gone out to hang a tea towel on the line (clothes) and there it was all
curled up. I ran into the house, didn't tell Mr. Emmett, but picked up the ham-
mer (sledge) and said to myself,"Snake, it's either you or me," and "Wham" I hit
it on the head and smashed it flat. Then I told Mr. Emmett who was unhappy with
me because I had killed it, he had wanted to show me its fangs, I wasn't inter-
ested in its method of emitting its poison,I just wanted it dead. I saved the
rattles.
After the harvest that fall ,I returned to Portland to the Roberts home to
work. I had·purchased my first wrist watch with the money I had earned·that sum-
mer keeping house for my brother, Fred.
Christmas 1990:
Greetings from Mountleke Terrace, Washington
It is that time of the year, when days are shorter and another
year is coming to an end. 1990 has been a busy year and therefore it
passed too fast, whether we wanted it to or not. " Time marches on, it
waits for no man."
Carl has been busy with his "Antiques & Collectibles", going to
shows and auctions, also managing a booth here in the Seattle Area.
We went to Portland this year for 3 shows, two shows to Pasadena, Ca.
Las Vegas, Nevada one to Reno,Nevada in the new convention center. I
accompanied him on the trip to Reno. At present he just opened up a
shop on Aurora Avenue in Edmonds, Washington. He and Fred went to
St. Charles, Illinois in November. His health is'holding out for which
we are thankful.
We made two trips to Odessa, Washington this year. In June to the
Alumni banquet as I graduated from high school there. We viewed the new
high school, that was quite a project and it is really nice and different.
In September Fred and his family came up from Olympia and we headed for
Odessa to the Deutches Fest, it was the 20th year and Carl & I have been
to every one. Rikki Kali who is 8 years old loves to hear me tell her
stories about Odessa when I lived up there. Nikki Marie who is 5 years
old loves to see the big 0 on the hill south of town, when it gets dark
the 0 shows up, the air up there is so fresh, no pollution like in the
cities. We also watch the stars appear and try to make a wish when we
see a falling star. My cousin opens his home to us for which we are
grateful, and we always 'enjoy visiting with them, and also many friends.
Our son still lives on his acreage with his family in Olympia and still
works for the state of Washington, his wife Jenny also works for the state.
Rikki Kali is in the 3rd grade this year and likes school and is doing
very well. Nikki Marie started kindergarden this fall and likes it
very much. In November and December they both had chicken pox and now
they have colds. They are so sweet and precious we love them very much
they are worth living for. Rikki Kali is blond with blue eyes, Nikki
Marie has red hair And brown eyes.
We were saddened by two deaths this year. Carls oldest sister, Alvina
and my Aunt Katy Dirks, that lived in Moses Lake, and we visited twice
a year when we went up to Odessa. We will miss them both.
I guess that leaves me, Helen, it hasn't been a very good year for me,
first it was my left hip, then my back, then my right hip, then I decided
scmething has to give, it did.:: but not the way I wanted it to, I fell
down on the "soft" Sidewalk, bruised knees, bloody and bruised elbow,
skinned knuckles, a badly sprained ankle,plus every bone in my body
ached, and the shock was something else, but it could have been worse,
the black and blue marks are gone but, not all the pain but every day
I think it should go away, so now instead of going 100 M/P/H I only go
20. l don't do much crocheting anymore but still have a lot of projects
to do. I do a lot of baking: and the people who get a taste ask for more.
I really enjoy baking pies, cookies and breads.
Our weather has been WET and I do mean WET, don't know where all that
rain comes from.
We hope this finds, you and yours in the best of health and wish
everyone a happy holiday season and a Prosperous New Year.
Love
Carl &. Helen
Last offspring of Henry (Heinrich) Trupp Jr. and Maria Dorothea ( Maridort )
nee Libsack was born on July 20, 1915; post office address being Route # 1,
Box 31, Irby, Washington, 16 miles southwest of Odessa near Moody. She was
baptized on October 20, 1915 by the Rev. C.J. Wagner at the home of a neigh-
bor where Rev. Wagner, a brother-in-law of Fred Kissler Sr. was a guest;God_
parents were Henry B. and Mollie nee Uhrich Schafer;the Rev. Wagner baptized
two other children at the same time.
Helen was introduced to her religious training at an early age, the Coun-
try church, "Emaus Congregational" where her parents were charter members. A
one-room church building to which the parishioners with their families com-
muted with horses and buggies, adults as well as the children attended Sun-
day School before the regular morning services. Partitions could not be used
to isolate age groups as classes; a pew sufficed. An aisle wide enough to
accommodate two people divided the long pews occupying the area; the males
sat in the long seats made of wood on one side of the passageway while the
girls, women and their babies occupied the opposite side. It wasn't the pro-
per entity until many years later but not in this church building that hus-
bands and wives felt comfortable sitting beside each other during services.
Only one outside door, the sole entrance to the rectangular edifice served
as an escape route while at the opposite end the pulpit, a choir loft and a
pump organ rested on a raised platform; that portion of the building wasn't
of the same width but it did have a window on the west side and one opposite
it that matched the other eight apertures rounded at the top and bordered by
three-inch squares of stained glass around the perimeter of the pane,a rough
surface of frosted glass in the center making the outdoors invisible to the
naked eye but light penetrated to the area within. The cross,a symbol of the
crucifixion of Jesus and hence Christianity adorned the steeple on top of an
entryway which served the congregation as a clothes closet for their outer-
wear and the men's headgear. Between the platform and the longitudinal pews
facing it, a potbellied stove had its rightful place for the comfort of the
attendants. A small table with two chairs occupied the space next to the ar-
ea below the stage, a convenient arrangement for conducting meetings such as
Sunday School, prayer meetings, Christian Endeavor and business of the Con-
gregation. Two pews remained along the wall on each side at right angle to
the others providing some breathing room in the middle at the upper extremi-
ty of the corridor. All Sunday services were conducted in the german,the mo-
ther tongue of the Russian-German immigrant but the children soon became bi-
lingual via public schools. Ordinarily all family members attended the three
Sunday church services; especially those who lived within the immediate vi-
cinity up to the twenties. After confirmation the teenagers lost interest in
prayer meetings because of the emotional aspect, so while seeking other ac-
tivities with their friends like ball games which were quite popular; unde-
sirable habits presented themselves as the use of tobacco interested some or
card games, even romances much to the dismay of the parents causing new dis-
cipline problems. Parents knew the whereabouts of their children on the day
of rest prescribed by the Lord. Special periodic conferences scheduled cus-
tomarily at the church lured groups of people from nearby churches as they
sought their entertainment by praising the Lord with favorite songs and the
spoken word. No one carried brown bags which meant at least two meals needed
to be served in nearby homes; it seemed that Helen's father invited all the
visitors. Children were ushered into a bedroom while the grownups partook of
the food during animated conversation. One particular Sunday,Helen's brother
Henry, spokesman for his siblings cracked open the door and remarked,"People
leave the table when they finish eating their food."Surely the reader under-
stands that Henry was just repeating an oft-quoted phrase issued by his fa-
ther from time to time. "Children should be seen but not heard,"an old adage.
Helen's main task on the farm during her adolescence years involved ;hours
of loneliness because the cattle who were allowed to graze on each side of
the country road bordering the cultivated acres protected by a barbed wire
fence were her responsibility. It was customary to plant grain as an alter-
native to the weed problem such as the Russian thistle, wild mustard, etc. A
domestic animal clipped the thistle after the forage had disappeared which
caused bloating after the thirsty four-footed creature drank water to its
heart's content. The green-growing Russian thistle, the only feed consumed
by the cattle for weeks on end in the summer time sufficed until hay became
available or a field where the hay had been cut. Common spiders, tarantulas
and a black true bug, known as a stinkbug that emitted a strong disagreeable
odor when confronted or possibly destroyed provided little diversion or so-
called passtime from the chore of herding cows; the youngster entertained
herself with a songbook from which she learned many songs by heart while she
sang aloud (perhaps that was the reason the cows gave a lot of milk on the
little nourishment afforded them). Helen still retains the lyrics,singing to
herself as the opportunity presents itself such as riding in her car or per-
haps at home and especially does she hold the interest of her grandchildren
by vocalizing her favorite German or English music which they imitate.Little
does Helen realize that as the baby of the family, it was her pleasure as a
small child to hop into the car with her father whenever and wherever he de-
cided to travel that she was subjected to the same condition for he loved to
share with his "Hertzell (the little one, so dear to his heart). The writer
remembers when the proud father as the Sunday School teacher at a Christmas
program announced recitations to be given by Helena Scheller, Helena Kissler,
Helena Schafer and Helena Trupp; his Helena, who almost succumbed as a baby.
Helen remembers a fishing trip with her father and Uncle to Pacific Lake,
north of Odessa; the unworthy skiff they rowed out on the lake, especially a
makeshift pole, nothing but a branch with a sturdy string, attached hook, to
try her luck. A determined turtle insisted time after time to grab the lure
while her persistent father returned the critter but alas and alack, its fi-
al destiny -- a corner in the boat; much to the fishermen's dismay, no more
bites, frustrating or otherwise,causing them to return home. An attempt at
salmon fishing after her marriage never became an obsession due to her fear
of the water.
At the age of 5 1/2 , Helen followed her siblings to school one day contrary
to rules -- no kindergarten classes in those days -- evidently her eagerness
to participate in her siblings' activities prompted her desire in the learn-
ing process and insisted the schoolroom provided her needs.Helen didn't com-
plete her grade school education at the Schafer School, Dist. # 73 in Adams
County because her parents lost their land to satisfy a debt necessitating a
move to acreage owned by Jacob Walter, a few miles south of Odessa,WA. where
the school bus became her transportation. Because her two younger brothers
were needed on the farm and unable to attend high school, Helen felt unpro-
tected and alone adding to shyness which has plagued her all of her life.She
remembers her first day at school in the first grade when the teacher admin-
istered a spanking to the bashful child because of her inability to utter a
word. The family joined the St. Matthew's Congregational Church in town and
Helen became a member of the confirmation class taught by the Rev.Paul Kalm-
bach to receive her religious certificate on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1930. On
May 22nd , that same year she was awarded an eighth grade diploma from the
Odessa Grade School, Dist. # 160 in Lincoln County, State of Washington.Then
Helen matriculated at the Odessa High School, rode the bus to and fro while
the family made one more move to the Hardung place before her graduation on
June 1, 1934.
In the fall of 1934, Helen found employment in a household at Lind,WA.;la-
ter traveling to Sunnyside, WA. with her employers for some seasonal work, a
stint in pinning turkeys. She returned home again to be enticed to seek fur-
ther employment when via frequent and faithful correspondence with her sis-
ter, Marie,learned of the job which Marie was vacating to return to college
in preparation for a teaching certificate. The two sisters roomed together a
short while (nine weeks to be exact) when Marie left for Spokane, WA. to do
her practice teaching and Helen continued working in the home of Albert and
Edna Thompson of Pullman; Mr. Thompson was a professor in the Foreign Lang.
Department. Both girls returned to the farm for the summer to seek and await
assignments which didn't materialize. One could always count on work, food
and shelter in the home of one's parents.
In September of 1935, Helen's father held an auction selling the farm equip-
ment to move to Beaverton, OR. Wheat farming could no longer be managed so the
family made a stab at diversified agriculture, walnuts, rabbits, etc.With high
hopes Helen and four of her siblings looked forward to favorable employment
opportunities in the big city of Portland. The "Great Depressionll of the early
thirties was winding down so a trip to the YWCA produced housework duties from
1936 through part of 1939 for Helen at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts,owners
of Roberts Motor Co. While Mr. & Mrs. Roberts vacationed in Europe during the
summer of 1937, Helen returned to Odessa to cook and keep house for Fred, who
was the eldest of her siblings with no family; her big purchase from earnings
netted a wrist watch, her first, a big deal in those days.
Helen met her future husband, Carl Abel while working at the Roberts' home;
their marriage took place on June 10, 1939 at 8 o'clock in St. Paul's Evangel-
ical church, the Rev. Elias Hergert reading the vows. After the ceremony a re-
ception was held at the bride and groom's new home - 4147 S .E. Ogden, City of
Roses. Carl was employed by Columbia Door and Plywood Co. at 24th & Holgate St.
for 37 ¢ an hour until October 1939 when the plant closed causing the young
couple to find temporary work for the time being.The Churchhill family in West-
morland hired Helen at $ 1.00 a day and board while Carl labored in the straw-
berry fields without sufficient remuneration to keep up their payments on the
house so it was sold; a move to 3619 N.E. Union Ave.. in 1940 took place until
more permanent housing became available - these living quarters, the rear of
the Trupp Shoe Shop belonged to Helen's father. Employment opportunities were
becoming more available so Carl was hired to toil at Nicholai Door Manufac-
turing Co. He purchased a lot, began constructing a house at 6625 N.E. Alberta
to which they moved long before it was finished in March 1941. War clouds had
gathered threatening the entire populace abroad and young men enlisted to join
in the excitement of serving their country. Helen's husband assisted his coun-
try in the war effort from October 1943 to November 1947; in the meantime, she
maintained the house and found mediocre work, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia in
1944, spending 4 months while Carl attended automotive school where he learned
mechanics. After terminating her employment at the Federal Reserve Bank in the
fall of 1944 to spend time with Carl in California before his overseas duties
began, Helen returned to the northwest, waited tables at Yaw's Top Notch from
1945 to 1947 until the war had ended and Carl had received his discharge in'46.
Helen's life, a normal routine again while her husband commuted to and fro' to
the old job at Nicholai Door.
The scene in their household began changing and Helen's love of babies would
soon be realized in the birth of her child; on February 20, 1948 a son arrived
to be named Fred Carl Abel, weight 6 lbs. 15 oz. at Vanport, a city created at
the northern edge of Portland as additional housing for shipyard workers when
it was so badly needed. It was erased on Decoration Day, May 30, 1948 via an
unexpected break in a dike producing a disastrous flood with losses of life.An
announcement of Fred's birth is summed up as follows:
Mommy's awful happy,
And Daddy's one proud guy,
They both are all excited
And I'm the reason why!
The family prospered so that by May, 1953 a new home had been acquired,a new
address at 4118 N. E. 63rd which they called home during Fred's grade school
education where his mother played an important role serving as den mother and
little league advisor. A new business adventure presented itself,an investment
in an apartment house at 1406 S.E. 27th Ave. in December 1961. By this time it
seemed that Carl had been plant manager and lumber buyer for six years in a 24
year period of employment at Nicolai Door Mft. Co. and it was time to move on.
He set his sights higher in light of his work experience to snare a new opnor-
tunity in the same line of work plus the assistantship to the . Vice-President
of St. Regis Paper Co., Forest Products Division in Tacoma, WA. by 8-20-1964.
After selling the apartment building, a new home was purchased in Tacoma,WA.at
1431 N. Highland Ave. Helen and her family pulled up roots again approximately
two years later to reside in a newly-built house on October 27, 1966 at Mount-
lake Terrace, 6701 - 235th St. S.E. where for almost twenty years it has been
their residence. When Carl retired in 1982, he had elevated his performance
category from general manager to Vice-President of Manufacturing at the Wood
Specialty Products Co. located at 24300 West 60th St. where the company had
become a Division of Shakertown Corporation who later moved to Lacy,WA.
Helen's physical health beset by surgeries and accidents in her housewife
years include a hysterectomy in June 1956, a car accident in which she found
herself with a cut lip, a cut over one eye and totaled the automobile;in the
year 1960, a sprained left ankle, gall bladder surgery in November of 1965,
a sprained right ankle and broken shoulder in 1976, a broken wrist and ribs
in 1981, eczema of a certain nature, allergies and in the last years about
with skin cancers, intestinal disorders, emotional upsets, etc. Heartaches
concerning events in her son's life placed a heavy burden on her mental and
physical well-being. A recent Mother's Day card received from her son held a
vital message for an appreciative mom with the following words:
For ironing out problems, and drying up the tears
For loving and for sharing, and for helping all these years.
For adding magic touches to an ordinary day
And doing extra favors, in your own sweet special way.
Love you lots- Happy Mother' s Day- Fred
All her trials and tribulations, it can be said, became overshadowed by an
interest in hobbies; Helen bowled while they lived in Portland, enjoyed some
fishing but has continued the art of crocheting, knitting, sewing along with
special crafts. Her expertise and mastery of skills in handicraft represent
personfied perfection, determination and integrity pleasing every recipient
on whom she bestows her wares. A saver, her collections cover postage stamps
be they new or cancelled, picture postcards, poems, match covers,song books,
phonograph records and paper napkins. She loves to bake cookies and pies for
her immediate family in addition to carting some to relatives and friends on
sojourns from time to time. Besides those talents which her benefactors ap-
preciate is her concern for children,especially the neglected or abused ones
wherever they may be found. Helen has never quite conquered her "doll" days;
four years ago, blessed with a real "live" doll, another in 1985 widened the
horizons for the senior citizen in a bewildered world. Grandchildren, a se-
lect group bring rewarding joys or disappointments to cherished family mem-
bers. Helen considers a close relationship with her siblings a result of the
Christian teachings administered by her now deceased parents. Her true feel-
ings can best be described in her own word, "Ithat's what counts".
Among her travel points, one finds occasional trips via car or plane to a
faraway place like Hawaii, Reno, Salt Lake City, Nebraska, Idaho, Oregon and
eastern Washington, the area of her childhood days where the Deutsches Fest,
a festival celebrating the conclusion of another harvest season with ethnic
foods prepared by various organizations, American apple pie and hamburger.
Always present since its inception, Helen with her husband usually motor to
the hometown for the alumni banquets held in June every year in addition to
their perfect record at the Deutsches Fest.
Devoted to their son and his family, no request goes unheeded, no matter
shape or form; the granddaughters demand their undivided attention receiving
exceptional care with an introduction to books, the most valuable asset in
educating youngsters. Bless these grandparents! To sum up Helen's many years
of life may be a reflection of the following quotation: " I think of my life
as a tapestry I'm weaving. I put in the wrong colors sometimes & then there
are those clumsy knots of pain and hurt and disappointment here & there. But
while I work I believe God is at work on the other side of the tapestry. He
takes the wrong colors and blends them in. He smoothes the knots until they
are part of the pattern. When I look at the tapestry of my life, it really
isn't very special, but I believe one day God will turn it around and show
me the side He!s been wbrking on.and it will be beautiful ".-
At the present time, Helen is a member of the Emblem Club, V.F.W.Auxiliary
and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. ..
Oh, God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,courage
to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference through Je-
sus Christ our Lord, Amen.
History
1990
Helen Trupp Abel
Fall of'1934, I went to work for some people at Lind; they had a little boy and
she was expecting another one. From there, we went to Stinnyside and stayed with
some people; the woman had her baby in the house where we stayed, the house-wife
was a midwife who smoked a corn-cob pipe. We didn't get much to eat; the gravy
the lady made consisted of lard heated in a frying pan and when it had melted,
she added flour and after browning the flour, she added water and that was the
gravy served on biscuits for breakfast. Every day early in the morning we went
to pin turkeys; after the turkey pinning, we returned to Lind and stayed at a-
nother house; On the trip to Lind from Sunnyside, we ran out of gas;the gentle-
man went to find some gas, while the lady and I sat in the car with two babies
and about froze to death waiting for the gentleman to return with gas.The little
ones cried most of the time and after arriving there, we settled in with people
at Lind where we discovered the man who was head of the house was ill and passed
away one night. No diapers had been washed in Sunnyside so we possessed about 3
pillow cases filled with dirty diapers. What a mess! I was never so glad to re-
turn home in all my life. Then after Christmas, I went to Pullman to work where
Marie lived with the Thompson family. Marie had been working there to earn some
funds so she could return to college for half a semester and then do her prac-
tice or student teaching at a Spokane high school the rest of the term.Marie &
I roomed together in a nice bedroom in ,Thompson's basement. Laura tee and Rich-
ard, Thompson's children kept me quite busy;what a job taking care of two chil-
dren -- that's when I decided never to get married and have children.
In the fall of 1935, we moved to Beaverton, Oregon.In 1936, I found a job in
Portland, OR doing housework at $ 15.66 a month.There wasn't much food in that
house so I didn't stay there very long. My next job was at Roberts at $ 15.00 a
month also plus room and board but that was soon increased to $ 20.00 and the
first Christmas I was given a $ 10.00 bill so I bought myself a green dress, a
brown-checked coat and brown shoes.
In 1937, I went to Odessa and cooked for my brother Fred on the farm while
the Roberts went to Europe. I patched sacks one morning while I sat on the front
porch. After lunch I returned to do more patching when I spotted a snake crawl-
ing among the sacks so I watched as it crawled under the porch and decided it
was a rattlesnake. I proceeded to walk to the tool shed, picked up a sledgeham-
mer and hiked out to the field where Fred was combining and related my observa-
tions but he seemed skeptical about my findings. He did come to the house for a
stick which he used to coax the snake out from under the porch and killed it.He
then advised me to watch for another one as 'they usually traveled in pairs, and
sure enough, several days later I saw one as it stuck its head out of the porch
knothole. In the meantime, Mr. Emmett.had come from Spokane so I gave him what
information I had but the snake got away. A day later I discovered it again as
I had gone out to hang a tea towel on the line (clothes) and there it was all
curled up. I ran into the house, didn't tell Mr. Emmett, but picked up the ham-
mer (sledge) and said to myself,"Snake, it's either you or me," and "Wham" I hit
it on the head and smashed it flat. Then I told Mr. Emmett who was unhappy with
me because I had killed it, he had wanted to show me its fangs, I wasn't inter-
ested in its method of emitting its poison,I just wanted it dead. I saved the
rattles.
After the harvest that fall ,I returned to Portland to the Roberts home to
work. I had·purchased my first wrist watch with the money I had earned·that sum-
mer keeping house for my brother, Fred.
Christmas 1990:
Greetings from Mountleke Terrace, Washington
It is that time of the year, when days are shorter and another
year is coming to an end. 1990 has been a busy year and therefore it
passed too fast, whether we wanted it to or not. " Time marches on, it
waits for no man."
Carl has been busy with his "Antiques & Collectibles", going to
shows and auctions, also managing a booth here in the Seattle Area.
We went to Portland this year for 3 shows, two shows to Pasadena, Ca.
Las Vegas, Nevada one to Reno,Nevada in the new convention center. I
accompanied him on the trip to Reno. At present he just opened up a
shop on Aurora Avenue in Edmonds, Washington. He and Fred went to
St. Charles, Illinois in November. His health is'holding out for which
we are thankful.
We made two trips to Odessa, Washington this year. In June to the
Alumni banquet as I graduated from high school there. We viewed the new
high school, that was quite a project and it is really nice and different.
In September Fred and his family came up from Olympia and we headed for
Odessa to the Deutches Fest, it was the 20th year and Carl & I have been
to every one. Rikki Kali who is 8 years old loves to hear me tell her
stories about Odessa when I lived up there. Nikki Marie who is 5 years
old loves to see the big 0 on the hill south of town, when it gets dark
the 0 shows up, the air up there is so fresh, no pollution like in the
cities. We also watch the stars appear and try to make a wish when we
see a falling star. My cousin opens his home to us for which we are
grateful, and we always 'enjoy visiting with them, and also many friends.
Our son still lives on his acreage with his family in Olympia and still
works for the state of Washington, his wife Jenny also works for the state.
Rikki Kali is in the 3rd grade this year and likes school and is doing
very well. Nikki Marie started kindergarden this fall and likes it
very much. In November and December they both had chicken pox and now
they have colds. They are so sweet and precious we love them very much
they are worth living for. Rikki Kali is blond with blue eyes, Nikki
Marie has red hair And brown eyes.
We were saddened by two deaths this year. Carls oldest sister, Alvina
and my Aunt Katy Dirks, that lived in Moses Lake, and we visited twice
a year when we went up to Odessa. We will miss them both.
I guess that leaves me, Helen, it hasn't been a very good year for me,
first it was my left hip, then my back, then my right hip, then I decided
scmething has to give, it did.:: but not the way I wanted it to, I fell
down on the "soft" Sidewalk, bruised knees, bloody and bruised elbow,
skinned knuckles, a badly sprained ankle,plus every bone in my body
ached, and the shock was something else, but it could have been worse,
the black and blue marks are gone but, not all the pain but every day
I think it should go away, so now instead of going 100 M/P/H I only go
20. l don't do much crocheting anymore but still have a lot of projects
to do. I do a lot of baking: and the people who get a taste ask for more.
I really enjoy baking pies, cookies and breads.
Our weather has been WET and I do mean WET, don't know where all that
rain comes from.
We hope this finds, you and yours in the best of health and wish
everyone a happy holiday season and a Prosperous New Year.
Love
Carl &. Helen