I did this interview of my parents in 2023 because they have successfully navigated 90+ years, most of that as a team?
1. What helped create the person you have become?
a. Mom
i. Started early with the Presbyterian church (because that church was on their side of the busy street)
ii. We lived in my grandmother’s house downtown Minneapolis. A diverse neighborhood for the time.
iii. I am glad I grew up poor, rather than rich (not so selfish).
iv. I was the oldest of 11 children. So, I learned how to take care of children young. Now 126 relatives in Minnesota.
b. Dad
i. Spent my summers (83 in all) at the Detroit Finnish Summer Camp
ii. I had 2 older brothers that I looked up to.
iii. Made the swim team at Denby High School (Detroit) (made lifelong friends)
iv. Joined the Navy and saw a lot of the world (both oceans, Panama Canal, Europe 5 times, Japan)
2. Who do you feel was the best President during your life? Both chose FDR (Dad – he knew what he was doing/ Mom- he was a good Democrat)
3. What is a highlight from your life?
a. Mom- Nursing degree from the University of Minnesota. Going to Sitka Alaska before it was a state (traveled by train, bus, and sea plane). Went there to help the 30 native children. They were so different than the kids I grew up with.
b. Dad- Graduating as a Civil Engineer from Wayne State University. It was not easy, but I accomplished it.
4. What do you feel are the keys to your 67 years in a successful marriage? Accepting that we were not the same (Mom oldest of 11, Dad youngest of 3), but had similar values. We both love to dance. Waiting until we were 25 and had lived as a single person adult. A lot of compromises. Mom- It seemed to work when we dated. Dad- I like her large family. We have been at this for 67 years.
If you find something here that you can use, great! What this interview was for me: I have heard a lot of this before in bits and pieces as life lessons along the way. Sitting in the final third of my life, it confirmed many of the things Minnie and I did right to give our children a positive and happy beginning in life with successful role models all around. How to balance careers and a successful union with my lifelong partner, Minnie (now going strong after 43 years).