Roots in the Catholic Faith

I actually only have one cradle born Catholic grandparent.  I did not know Grandpa Joesph Balk born September 20, 1874 in Altschneeberg but he as a teen with his parents, Peter and Theres Kreuzer  married January 8, 1874 in Tiefenbach, Bavaria brought the faith to New York on a ship named Hamburg Package Seaman August 28, 1889. He was the only one of  6 siblings to survive to adulthood.  I understand the others died of typhoid.  His siblings included those with very German sounding names of Franziska lived from January 1, 1876-February 8 1876, Magdalena February 9, 1877-May 25,1880, Katharina May 18,1879-June 11, 1879, Michael May 3,1880-May 27,1880 and Ludwig April 1,1882- May 8, 1882.  Interestingly Peter`s parents` names were Michael and Barbara.  Joseph did have a half sister, Anna Mary Kreuzer, that traveled with them.  We do not know if their mother Theres was married to a Mr. Kreuzer or if that was her maiden name.  We also do not know where Theres died and is buried.  She did arrive in New York but was reportedly very ill so possibly died in New York.  We think Joseph, Peter, and Anna Mary took jobs West to Nebraska..  Anna Mary was nearly grown and married in the Lindsay, Nebraska area to a Mr. Hoegerel.  They were parents to a daughter that became a nun.  I`m not sure of other children.  Anna Mary is buried in the Catholic cemetery in Lindsay, Nebraska.
Fast forward to the land run into Oklahoma.  The ever curious men Peter and Joseph made it and settled in Garfield county.  Joseph eventually married Mildred Grace Rudd in a civil ceremony.  She was pregnant with 2nd or 3rd child when the marriage was blessed in the Catholic Church in Bison.  The family after that was pretty active in church affairs.  The children were instructed and received the sacraments, some attended Catholic school part time, and when the church was built a stained glass window was bought in honor of Peter.  When the church was replaced my cousin Tommy Rogers was able to buy that window and had it made into a lovely mantle piece.  Joseph lost 5 baby siblings, his mother at an early age, faced uncertainty in a new world, reared 9 children, received word of his father Peter being killed in Germany by a stray bullet during WWI, endured the tribulations of the Great Depression, buried a son prematurely etc. without losing his faith.  Alto he was fluent in English he reportedly prayed in German.  He attended Holy Day Mass on New year`s Day in about 1940 and came home to suffer a massive heart attack and died. 
All in all I think my own Dad felt his greatest legacy to me was the Catholic faith.  It has carried many family members through many a trying time.  One footnote-Mother and Dad began going to church regularly when Karen at age 9 asked why they didn`t go to Sunday School like her friends.
P.S.  Most of the names and dates were given to me by Uncle Ernie Balk.  He has visited the towns and church in Germany.  The house the Balks lived in Germany still stands and is used for a storage barn.
 

Fun Job for Granny

I am in the midst of a job that is the most fun I`ve had for a long time.  I offered to keep little Jett Michael Cooper for a bit as a gift of sorts.  He may be my last grandbaby and since I am retired and close the arrangement worked for this baby.  He is a smilely happy baby and it doesn`t take much work to mix up a couple bottles and occasionally throw tiny clothes in the washer.  At first he even let me have my much needed nap in the afternoon.  He has accompanied me to Dr. visits and Christmas parties much to many`s delight.  Just what the Dr. ordered for this now fully recovered Granny.  Some have asked why I don`t keep him longer.  I think it best for him to be around younger people.  So thanks guys for sharing this precious pricless gift with us.