50th Anniversary of Roy & Hallie Heesen—1943-1993

The following memories are reproduced in the order they were received. Thanks are in order for the wonderful responses.
"I Dreamed I Went Flying"—Frank (and Pam) Simerly
Pam and I have many wonderful memories with and about your Mom and Dad. Of course, our earliest recollections of Hallie and Roy were from 40 years ago in Covina when we were neighbors with small kids and big debts. Here are some of our recollections.
We used to get together often and play cards or make our own entertainment. One evening we decided to play charades. When Roy's turn came, he went down the hall out of sight. Soon, he came running down the hall, leaped through the air as he thrust out his chest and clasped his breasts with his cupped hands. We almost died laughing but no one figured it out. He did it again and I believe a third time before we gave up. Pam had just had an operation and she was afraid of hurting herself laughing. What was the answer? It was a TV commercial of that time, “I dreamed I went flying in my Maidenform Bra.”
When you all moved to Costa Mesa, we visited often. On one occasion we went to an Oriental restaurant for dinner. The first thing they served us were individual bowls that we couldn't tell if it was soup or water. Hallie tasted it and reckoned it was tasty so we all drank it. It had a nice lemon flavor. To this day we are not sure whether we were supposed to drink it or if they were finger bowls. I guess we're still country folk.
We kept in touch when Hallie and Roy moved to Oregon and visited them whenever we could. Just a few years back when we were there they decided that the forecast for showers the next day was not enough to stop us from going on a picnic to the Silver and Gold waterfalls. When we got up in the morning, it was misty. Hallie didn't pack small sandwiches and potato chips—that wasn't her style. She put in ground meat for hamburgers, whole potatoes and enough stuff to feed most of Bandon. She planned on barbecuing it all. When we set out it was drizzling and, as is his habit, Roy had a few good deeds to do for neighbors. When he finished his third good deed, it was raining hard. Roy and Hallie had a conversation about lunch that Pam and I couldn't understand and we drove on. Soon we stopped by a large building with no sign to indicate what it was and we were told that this was where we were going to have lunch. We had to run inside because it was pouring with rain by now. We were at a Senior Citizen lunch. I was a little embarrassed at first because I wasn't even 60 yet. However, we were made to feel welcome as they fed us and they even gave me an extra dessert.
We didn't give up our plan to see the waterfalls and the rain had abated some while we ate. We set off up the hills and down a mile or two of single track dirt road to see the falls. We had to walk in the mist but we enjoyed it and saw both falls. Roy and I were in front of the ladies on the return and were waiting for them by the car when we heard a loud crack. I asked Roy if there were hunters shooting at this time of year and he said it sounded more like a tree snapping off to him. He then added that he hoped a tree hadn't fallen across the road. The ladies arrived and we started for home. You guessed it. There was a big tree across the road. I thought we would be trapped until someone decided to drive up to see the falls. Not Roy. He got out with only a pocket knife, cut a few small branches off, told Hallie to hold a big branch back and Pam and I were told to pull back on some other branches. Then as easy as pie, Roy got into the car and drove it under the main part of the tree. Home we went.
Whenever we have been with Hallie and Roy, we have had good fun. They are bright, intelligent people with their feet planted solidly on the ground. They are good friends and we love them.

“We Will Meet Again In Heaven”—Anne Sturm
I'm no good at writing but I remember when I met Hallie at the Baptist church in Costa Mesa. I phoned to ask if the church was associated with Am. Baptist or National Council of Churches, and it wasn't so it was for me. That was in 1966. Pastor Neuman had me teach junior church before I had even joined the church, so I got to see Hallie often. Later he gave me a Bible and Hallie signed it along with the pastor and two deacons (?). We have kept in touch now and then and will meet again in heaven if not before.

A High Kicking Dance to the Tune of Clementine—Jane Cook
Hallie and I go back a long way to the small Baptist Church in Eureka, Montana. I especially remember Hallie doing a high kicking dance to the tune of Clementine for one of our young peoples' charades.
Again, Hallie and I and the Harwood girls camped overnight at Tetrault Lake. We didn't have today's fancy sleeping bags; just a blanket or quilt apiece spread on the sand. In Montana even in late summer the nights can get pretty cold and we finally struggled out of our beds and went rowing on the lake to get warmed up again. After a brisk row, we went back to camp to some of Hallie's huckleberry pancakes cooked on a camp stove which decided not to heat properly and which produced some black and some half cooked cakes which tasted good anyway.
Another memory is a Halloween party at the Dashiell home out on the ranch and which we all walked out to and home again afterwards—something our wheels-oriented offspring would never do, I am sure.
“Ray” Dashiell would once a year take his horses and sleigh and make the four-mile loop with all the young people stacked on. We would then come home to midnight “chow” at the church.
Skip then to the war years. Once I recall going clamming with Roy and Hallie to one of the Islands, probably Whidby. We just used garden rakes and raked the clams up. That had to be a long time ago.
Now then to the post-war years with Roy out to sea and Hallie trying to cope with one tiny girl and a pair of twin boys. Yes, I have sat and bottle fed you one at a time. Ironic but a few years later I was trying to cope with one tiny boy and a pair of twin boys. Where were you when I needed you, Hallie?
Skip to Gerber, California, where Hallie and Roy had a little farm and a big yard with mulberry trees in the front. Sandy kept pretty clean but the little boys were stained purple from head to toe. It was so hot that Hallie and I would go out and lie down in the irrigation ditch to cool off and poor Roy was working in a tire recapping place.
That Christmas Hallie sent me a box of walnuts, sugared, glazed, etc.—so good I still remember it.
After that we saw each other but rarely and nothing stands out in my mind but the feeling of good fellowship.

A Can of Rutabagas—Jean Hart
It has been my joy to know your parents for the past nine years. They were one of the first couples we met and seemed to hit it off quickly. Even though Harry died a year ago, I have kept in touch. Roy picks up my trash (as well as many others' trash) every couple of weeks and I try to call often. We don't attend the same church and three-handed cards are difficult so we don't get together as we once did—but I value their friendship and Christian love and always will.
Five or six years ago, Roy, Hallie, Harry and I would drive to the Port Orford senior meals site to “Eat Out.” We each signed the attendance sheet and paid for the meal. By each name was a number. After a “Sing-a-Long” and meal, a short meeting was held followed by a drawing for “door prizes.” Items donated by local grocers were put into brown paper bags. One of the diners was asked to pull numbered walnut shells from a coffee can, the number was then compared to numbers on the attendance sheet and winners' name called.
One Saturday Hallie's number was called and she was handed one of the brown sacks. The prize? A can of rutabagas! When we returned to our house for a game of hand and foot, Hallie reached up and put the “can” on the roof of our front porch. When they left, it was forgotten.
A month or so later, Hallie's birthday rolled around. One of her gifts was an item all wrapped in gift paper with a nice card, from Harry. Well, you guessed it, when she opened her gift, there it was—the forgotten can of rutabagas. The laugh was on Hallie!

I Remember Roy—Lola [Stream]
When he was a little boy he was so sick with rickets. I remember too; one Christmas his Uncle Paul sent us a nail keg of hazel nuts and hard candy. We got up real early before the folks did and got into that and I ate a lot of candy and got the giant hives from it, besides the same day we all got smallpox. What a day! Roy had just learned to walk and he was so sick he had to learn to walk all over again. Then later when he was a little older he got a little black dog. It was about the same time Lindberg flew solo over the Atlantic. Roy was really interested in planes and flying so he called the dog Lindy (I think the dog was a female).
When Roy was little we had no money for toys. Roy would find some loose dirt and little blocks of wood he played were cars and he made roads and hills in the loose dirt and drove those cars all over those hills. That was his first experience as a truck driver. He got to be a big truck driver as a very young man.
Then came Hallie, and marriage and Sandy. When the twins were born Sandy came to stay with me for a few days. She was so dainty and we just loved her. I guess the twins kept Hallie pretty busy.
Roy and Hallie, I hope your 50th is a very happy time for all of you. I'm sorry I can't attend as I'm not all that well, but my heart is with you. God bless you all.

“The Day Had to be Celebrated”—Mary Steinbis
Hallie and Roy are very dear to our family. Their company and help will be remembered forever. The event which comes to mind to share is this: Just days after we arrived in Laurel Grove, Aulia turned 1 yr. old. We had no kitchen at that time since we were re-doing the entire house. Hallie insisted that the day had to be celebrated and generously offered the use of her home. We had to use her stove, eggs—everything. The party was lovely and to Hallie's credit, Aulia and Anna have never had a birthday without a party!
We love you two and wish you the best, always. I'm not sure where we'll be in August so if we aren't with you, we'll be thinking of you. May your day be delightful!

“A Wonderful Sister and a Great Guy”—Lorraine & Dan Garvin
Having known you, Hallie, for 74 years and Roy for 50 I should be able to tattle on you about a lot of things.
You have been a wonderful sister and Roy is a great guy, ready to help anyone anytime with anything.
I remember we went with you on your honeymoon to Vancouver, B.C. Must have been 50 years ago.
Roy always wanted to take me on long walks. One time to visit gift shops. We went so far we had to call Dan to come get us in the car. Too tired to walk back, but it was fun.
Do you remember the large lace table cloth you received for a wedding present? Not having a long table, you traded it to me for I think a set of dishes. I still have that cloth. It is a bit ragged but is still the most beautiful one I have seen.
Congratulations on your 50th. Many more to come.

Uh . . .—Unabelle (& Al) Turner
Since I was not around Hallie and Roy after their marriage, I will relate a “tid bit” about Hallie when we were kids. Hallie grew up just 14 miles from where I did but I was in Canada and Hallie in Montana. The only time we were in the same school was our freshman year in Eureka, Montana.
I remember visiting Hallie in Eureka when we were about 12 years old. I was lamenting to her about the size of my “boobs.” She said I should be happy because men liked women with big breasts. I don't know how she knew this; I sure didn't.

Roy & Hallie Lived Next to Us—Kermit & Alice Kast
We lived in El Camino out of Gerber and Roy and Hallie lived next to us. We enjoyed them very much.
Roy worked for Delbert Harmon and Bob Langston. They ran a gasoline company, and Roy and Kermit worked for them on a gasoline truck delivery to the Ranches. Then Roy sold out and took his family to southern California and drove a truck.
I can remember the three children, the twins and sister playing in the irrigation ditch. They had a St. Bernard pup and he was just a pup and Hallie would feed him two cans of dog food and five lbs. of dry dog food. That didn't last long. The dog was gone.
After working in southern California and retiring, they bought a ranch at Bandon and built an A-frame home, a lovely home.
Kermit and I and our sister Gladys and Warren went to see them and we parked our motor homes in their front yard. The next day we went to the senior center and had a lovely dinner and then to the coast and they took us to see their lovely town.
They were such good friends and their hospitality will always be remembered. We love them very much and may God be with them always.

Our Neighbors for Over 35 Years—Elva and Elmer Lowry
Looking back, many things come to mind. Mainly, that Roy and Hal have been our neighbors for over 35 years . . . and we're still good friends in spite of the many times that I “led them astray,” such as, going vacationing in wild places like Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming! Let's not forget those many “outings,” both in motor- and sailboats, when all the while I darn well knew that Roy hadn't ever learned to swim! Also, I may have influenced them in making their decision to move to Oregon (23 years ago, already!) . . . and the woodsy adventure continues. I still believe that we made our moves north at the right time and to the right place. Of course, when we hear of the high prices that houses sell for down in California (especially Costa Mesa/ Newport area), it makes us feel like we “jumped the gun.” However, had we waited until nowadays to sell, our money wouldn't be enough to buy Oregon acreage (I'm told it is selling at $8000 per acre now . . . Golly, we only paid $375 in 1970). So, everything is relative . . . right!
Roy made quite an impression on me, as soon as we became acquainted, by the fact that he was such a “goer” . . . literally, to be exact. He used to drive those big truck loads of steel, having to go back and forth between LA and Geneva (Utah) all week long; then came his day off and he would spend it on taking the family for a drive!!
I remember the time Elva and I took a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo., and arranged to meet Roy about midnight at a truck stop in Mesquite, Ariz. He arrived there right on schedule, so we spent the night parked next to his rig (Elva and I slept in our Travelall) and come morning headed out for Wyo., leaving the parking area at the same time. I figured we would leave him “in the dust,” as he couldn't possibly keep up with us. But, believe it or not, when we stopped for lunch in St. George, Utah, and was still waiting for the waitress to bring out the meal, Roy arrived on the scene and joined us. I'll swear, he must have had a special “groove” worn into that roadway!
Speaking of wearing tracks in the road, what about the trips Roy made night after night between Coos Bay and Eugene . . . as well as the added runs down to Brookings (talk about a government mule!)? Yes, with Roy behind the wheel, the “mail always went through”!
Another special time in our relationship with your folks was when we worked together while building our houses here in Laurel Grove. We did a lot of things “the hard way”; i.e., tearing down an old house just to salvage lumber; doing our septic systems by hand (and foot); sifting river rock instead of ordering the graded/crushed variety, and . . . even digging our own water wells. It's a good thing we were 23 years younger. I doubt that any of us could do as much now, although Roy can still cut and stack more firewood than the Seven Dwarfs.
By the way, do you know that Roy is our Trash Man? He began gathering refuse cans around the neighborhood just as an accommodation to those of us not owning a pickup truck. But, now, he has at least 20 stops to make every other Saturday. In short, he has created a “monster.” Furthermore, it's unlikely that every customer makes an equitable contribution for the service rendered. If you know Roy as I do, he would rather bite-his-own-tongue than ask anyone to “kick in” (cash payment).
As you can see, I've mostly mentioned things about Roy Boy . . . but Hallie certainly deserves her place in the spotlight. She is a “superwoman”! Besides knowing her way around the kitchen (can't begin to count the many wonderful meals that she has had us to), Hal's talents abound. For instance, she can name every type of wild bird that comes visiting here each year (not the kind of knowledge to have much bearing on a successful 50 years of marriage), but for someone like me who has trouble identifying anything smaller than a Stellar's Jay, Hallie is a font of information . . . besides, she's a real “whiz” at working crossword puzzles!
Now do you want to hear something funny? I'll never forget an incident that happened when Roy, Hal, Elva, and I were on a “working” vacation in Coeur d'Alene to make some repairs on Grandmother Dashiell's house. After a day of hard work “mucking out” the place, Roy and Hal decided to go to Uncle Dan's (Spokane) where they (Grandma, too) could get hot baths and spend the night in regular beds (not like the ones Elva and I were situated in in our travel trailer parked at a campground near Lake Coeur d'Alene). Anyway, everything went according to plan. But, it seems that no sooner had Hal and Roy climbed into that comfortable bed, the “slats” slipped and the entire works, springs, mattress, and all, fell to the floor! Roy's summed it up when he said, “Boy, that sure brought any further festivities to an abrupt ending”!

“I Remember the Day Roy was Born”—Amy Stoller
I remember the day Roy was born—July 18, 1922 (I think). How happy and excited we were —that we had a brand new little nephew. We didn't get to see him very long, though—his mother [Their mother Ruth was my oldest sister.] soon took him and his big brother, two-year-old Bobby, home to Idaho where they lived with their papa on a little farm.
Then one day, a few months later, we received a telegram that their mother had pneumonia, and would my mother please come. Then another telegram came that she had died. We were all so sad. So my mother went to Idaho to take care of those two babies. And soon she brought them home to take care of them till their father could make some other arrangement for them. But before he could do that, he became sick and he died.
So here we were with two little nephews, who became like little brothers, and we loved them like little brothers. And we all helped to take care of them, even though some of us were not too many years older than they were.
Those were hard days—during the Great Depression—very little money for even the bare necessities. My mother and dad did everything they could to raise them as though they were their own children.
And that's the way the rest of us children felt. We had good times together, making our own toys, inventing our own games and just being together. We didn't feel sorry for ourselves, because most everyone in that little town of Walla Walla was going through about the same hardships.
But we went to school and Mama saw that we got to Sunday School and church. Taking everything into consideration, we learned some valuable lessons about life. My sister Lola and I often talk about those times, and we are very thankful for them, and for the love there in our family.
Anyway, getting back to Roy and his brother Bob—they grew up along with the rest of us younger ones of ten children (some of whom were already grown and away from home).
After I was married, Bob and Roy each stayed with us, from time to time, for a day or two or three. And of course we'd see them when we went to visit Mom and Dad Backus, who lived about a mile or so from us.
There was a period when my married family lived in a house near Walla Walla High School, maybe a few blocks away. One day I was out in our yard hanging out the wash when I heard someone yelling “Hut-2-3-4, Hut 2-3-4,” etc., and some other commands. And I wondered, “Who is that yelling so loud, and with such authority?”
Well, I later found out, it was a young man in “Wa Hi”—drilling the R.O.T.C.—evidently marching down a street somewhere within yelling distance from our house. Then I learned that that young man was none other than my nephew Roy Heesen. My goodness—he must be really something if he can drill the R.O.T.C. with such authority. And they are doing what he tells them to do. Wa-Hi must have really grown. Wow!
Some years later we were thrilled to go to his wedding to meet his lovely bride, Hallie.
I remember there was a shotgun at that reception (joke!). But they will have to tell you about that.
Later there were their three children, Sandy, David and Mark.
And we've visited with them over the years, and were thankful for them.
I wish God's blessings on them all for their 50th anniversary, and all the years after (75?) or maybe 100??

Hello, Dolly!—Dorothy and Joe Gregor
The things that I remember most are connected with Hallie's horse “Dolly.” I used to be at Hallie's quite a bit. I stayed there one year right after school let out to attend Bible School. It had been a very cold night, quite a few people had covered tender garden plants. We were riding Dolly bareback double. Dolly decided to shy at a white sheet in a garden. It was a very dusty road. Old Dolly jumped side-ways, leaving Hallie and me sitting in the middle of the road as we had been sitting on her.
On other occasions we'd take Dolly and go up to the “Big Ditch,” an irrigation canal. It was a great way to cool off. There was a weed, I think we called it “Indian Tobacco.” We rolled up some, I think, in an old Mullen weed leaf. We tried lighting up. Oh, it was terrible. That was my first and last smoking experience. There were times we'd take old Dolly, go fishing over in Sinclair Creek. We'd take some fishing line, a hook, get on old Dolly and away we'd go. We'd catch grasshoppers or turn over rocks along the creek for bait. We'd cut off willows for poles, tie our line on the end. When there, we'd cut or break off the willow near where we had tied on our line, wrap the line around the stub and stick the hook in the willow end. Don't remember now how many fish we caught. On a hot day, it was cool along the creek.
Hallie's parents, my grandfather, my mother, and brother went on many picnics and fishing trips. Ray and my grandfather were avid fishermen.
One time my mother and I went over to Hallie's to visit. Hallie was gone at the time. Ray told me to go catch Dolly and ride. Dolly was out in the back pasture. It was a very warm day. Dolly did not want to be caught. Dolly would dodge me, run off, turn around and look at me. I had done quite a lot of running which brought on m asthma. So I sat down, said a little prayer “on catching Dolly.” Well, when I looked up she was standing a few feet from me. She let me walk up and catch her. I've always thought of this incident over the years.
About two years ago, Hallie and Roy were here and Kalispell, which we enjoyed. We had driven up to Big Mountain, a ski resort. We had planned to take the gondola up to the top. While waiting, a sudden summer electric storm came up; they shut everything down. So we're still waiting for them to come back. We'll try again.
This time I don't think we can make the trip, but if possible we'll try to do so.
May the weather and friends, family, make this a happy time.

“We Headed for Hallie & Roy's House”—Fran Fiorvanti
As near as Ron and I can remember, my mother (Gertrude “Tillie” Hansen) and we were driving through Oregon. Mother remarked that her sister Bertha lived in Cave Junction and she would like to see her. We found a phone and called her to see if she would like to have company. Bertha's first remark was “Are you fixing to stay?”
We really got a chuckle out of that. So to her house we go. They hadn't seen each other for quite a while, so there was lots of conversation. Neither one of them had seen Clara in some time, so the next day the four of us headed for Hallie and Roy's house. It was a hot day so somewhere on the way Ron stopped for gas and asked us gals if we would like a cold beer. That sounded good to us gals so he brought us a small can each. It was a fun drive and much laughter. We finally arrivated at Hallie's. Then we went to get Clara. The three of them sat on the davenport holding hands and remembering so many things from their past. How I wish we could have had all that remembrance on tape.
I think it was the next morning when Bertha wondered how she was going to get home. That was solved by Hallie and Roy. I'm not sure but I think they called Bertha's son Dean and met Dean and his wife somewhere half way. Anyway, Bertha made it home.
My mother was Gertrude T. Hansen but called Tillie. I'm Frances (Hansen) Fiorvanti and my husband is Ron.
I almost forgot: the trip was about 1978.

“I Was a Freshman When Hallie Was a Senior”—Inez Clark
I was a freshman when Hallie was a senior and I remember being so impressed with her speed in typing and shorthand! She was outstanding!
Hope to meet you all in August. Sorry, I was too much younger to have any stories about her. How getting older closes those age gaps!

“The Only Thing I Can Remember is the Scolding”—Dan and Nancy Garvin
As your mother's only blood nephew, one would think that I would have at least one interesting memory of my Aunt Hallie and Uncle Roy. However, the only thing that I can remember, in addition to the few brief visits over the years, is the scolding Hallie gave me after I had skipped school and ran away from home when I was in the third grade. I believe that your mother was staying at our place in Maple Valley while your father was at sea, and I remember she really took me to task for upsetting my parents.
I am involved in a new project in Ukiah that will prevent Nancy and me from attending the anniversary, so please give your parents our regards.

“What an Innocent and Wonderful Life We Had” —Emma “Osmond” Long
Going swimming at the irrigation ditch brings back fond memories.
I and my two sisters would walk up to her folks' farm with suits, towels and lunch bags. Hallie had a very patient, old horse that allowed us to climb on her bare back and load her with all of our things for a fun day.
What an innocent and wonderful life we had.

“They Didn't Seem to Mind at All”—Ellen Mimaud-Lacoste
Your invitation did bring nice memories of summer visits with your family. I cherish the times Sandy visited me as well. One unusual event came to mind and that was when Roy and Hallie stayed over night in my loft in Soho when I first moved to New York City. It was a bit like a warehouse, but they didn't seem to mind at all. We had lunch in the World Trade Towers which was a first for all of us. I enjoyed the more posh life after I started working for First Boston, but those months in the loft were a unique adventure that will always be special. I'm pleased Roy and Hallie could share it with me.

Memories of Grandma and Grandpa Heesen—Tracy Frazier
What I remember about Grandma is when she would visit us, she would bake cookies and she would let me help her. She would also cook good food for us.
With Grandpa, he would let me put cards in his eyeglasses, and would just sit there and let me do that. I remember when Grandpa would visit us, I would play waitress at dinner, and he would play along as if he were in a restaurant.
Grandma and Grandpa are a lot of fun and I love them very much.

At Grandpa and Grandma's—Cheryl Frazier
Bandon and Grandpa and Grandma's home holds so many good memories for me. While waiting for visas to go to Chile, South America, we spent a year with our grandparents. I remember hikes through the woods with Buzzie and Grandpa leading the way, going to the cranberry patch, bending over looking for agates on the seashore and then holding them up to the sun to make sure they are genuine, playing Scrabble till all hours of the night with the grown ups, and then Grandma's deliciously healthy cooking with vegetables picked “fresh from the garden.”
I've learned a lot about life from these two people. I've learned to enjoy life and the surroundings wherever I am. I've learned that in life you must not take yourself too seriously. I've learned to take time for people, especially people that were hurting. And most importantly go give, of myself, my time and my money. I'm very glad the Lord blessed me with such good grandparents. They've helped mold and shape my life more than they'll ever know.
So you ask me to tell you of one good memory at Grandpa and Grandma's, well, there are just too many to tell you just one.

“We Share a Family Bond”—Ardice and Willard Thorssen
The first time we met Roy and Hallie was back in August 1973 at Karen and David's wedding. With all the preparation and confusion involved it didn't give us much time to vist and get acquainted. These many miles have always separated us through the years. As a result, we only see each other if your visits with our kids happen at the same time. This has happened when Hallie or Roy took a tour to visit family in various states. On one of those visits David and Karen took us to Madison and a tour of “The House on the Rock.” Michael was just a baby at that time. Another time we were able to meet all the family when they came to Janesville for a “Heesen Family Reunion.” Other than these rare occasions, we have “kept in touch”—at least at Christmas. However, we share a family bond, since our Karen and their David have given both of our families five grandchildren. We see them real often!!
May you both share a beautiful family time on this your 50th anniversary. God bless you and yours real good.

“Hallie Took Us to a Park for a Picnic”—Tom and Ardis Dashiell
Our contact was with Uncle Ray and Aunt Clara while they were still living, and we enjoyed visiting with them very much. Of course, we always heard about all the doings of Hallie and Lorraine and their families.
Perhaps the first time I saw Hallie was when they lived in Redding and we stayed with her for at least one night. We had gone to California to go on a cattle tour through that area. About the only thing I remember about the trip is that Roy was gone and Hallie took us, all of you kids (and I think Elaine was with us too) to a park for a picnic in the evening. It was HOT and I had taken only fall clothes along, for it was mid-September. I didn't realize that the weather there would be hot that time of year because we were well into Fall.
After that visit we kept in touch each year at Christmastime through notes and letters so we were aware of each year's progress for the family. We visited Hallie and Roy at Bandon in 1991 on our way home from a Dashiell reunion in California. Roy and Tom went salmon fishing (Tom caught one) and Hallie and I spent a lovely day at the park near the ocean. Tom also got seasick on that excursion.

“If It Wasn't a Smile, It Certainly Looked Like One” —Evelyn Donovan
When my mind meanders toward Costa Mesa, it naturally thinks of First Baptist and those people whom we held so dear to our hearts, including your dear mother, Hallie, who was such an efficient secretary to Dr. Neumann. She also was faithful in our Women's Missionary Fellowship.
I always remember Hallie as the dear lady who wore a smile and if it wasn't a smile, it certainly looked like one.
I only met Roy a few times, but it was always very pleasant. I do know that they raised three fine children. To my knowledge, they all loved the Lord and hopefully still serving Him.
We were on vacation one year which took us up into the northwestern states. On our way south we meandered off the freeway down narrow roads through a wooded area, and there nestled in the forest we saw a high gabled rooftop which turned out to be the Heesen Castle. Vegetables and flowers lent to its beauty. Hallie showed us their collections of treasures they had garnered from the seashore. We loved every minute of our visit, and often I thought of another time when we could do it again, but it never seemed to happen.
Glenn went to be with the Lord October 15, 1987, to that glorious place called Heaven. Someday I shall see him, with our Jesus. May the Lord doubly bless you in this endeavor to make their 50th anniversary a tremendous success. I know it will be.

“He's So Cute”—Sandra Frazier
I have many wonderful memories of Mom and Dad, but I have chosen just a few that exemplify the kind of parents, grandparents, and friends they are. Mom's cooking and hospitality are tops. One of my earliest memories are of Mom turning out delicious meals from the woodburning stove in the little house in Gerber, Calif. My first memories of a Thanksgiving dinner were in Redding, Calif. Grandma and Grandpa Dashiell were there and I wondered how so much delicious food could be prepared by ONE person in ONE place at ONE time. Now, I am still amazed when Mom comes to visit and in her suitcase she has packed her trusty cookbooks and recipes. I have always given her full reign in the kitchen when she comes and we are all happier and heavier for it!
I have many, many memories of our outings, trips and vacations we took as a family. One year we went to Eureka, Montana, Mom's birthplace, and stayed in a cabin on a lake. One morning I got the bright idea of swimming across the lake before breakfast (not realizing that the buoyancy I was used to in the ocean was not to be experienced in the lake). With Mom's encouragement and accompanying me the whole way in a boat, I made it! I have always gotten encouragement in any decision I have made, as crazy as it may have seemed at the moment. It never occurred to me that there was anything I couldn't do, because Mom made me think I could do anything.
On another vacation I had just gotten my driver's permit and Mom and Dad let me drive for a while. I passed a car on a hill on a two-lane road and guess what? I didn't hear any yelling and screaming or gasps from the passenger or back seats, and I was allowed to continue driving!
I really appreciated that, especially when our three children were teenagers learning to drive!
Dad's friendliness, helpfulness, jokes, and laugh, and fun-loving ways are tops. I remember when we lived in a trailer park in southern Calif., not too far from the beach, Dad, coming home from his long hauls, would load us kids up in our little Metropolitan along with some friends and take us to the beach every day he was home. I still wonder how we all fit, but we sure had fun.
On the trips we took, my place was always in the front seat between Mom and Dad. It wasn't long before I got sleepy and would curl up and put my head on Dad's leg as he would drive on and on and on. (He could really drive.) It was a very sad day in my young life when one day I discovered I was too big to curl up in that space and sleep on Dad's leg.
When Bob and I were married and went to visit Mom and Dad, Dad took us both deep-sea fishing off the coast of southern Calif. It was an all-day affair and I spent most of the day below on a bunk suffering with seasickness. When we got back and were on our way home, Dad told us the life stories of the majority of the 50 people on board the boat. I don't remember any of us catching any fish, but Dad brought home some very interesting stories.
My memories of Dad include the multitude of things he has fixed in our house. It's as if we save everything up for him, knowing he will do the best job of making everything just right.
One of the funniest memories we have of Grandpa Heesen is when we picked him up from the bus station here in El Paso and he offered to take us out to eat at Taco Bell. To pay for the meal, he gave them an American Traveler's Check and when they asked for ID to cash the check, he asked, “Will you accept this?,” giving them a McDonald's free drink card. He had the workers behind the counter laughing so hard he finally asked them, “Hey, what are you guys smoking back there, anyway?” When we left, I heard one of the girls say, “He's so cute.”
Well, that's a glimpse of Mom and Dad and I would like to thank them for the PRECIOUS MEMORIES!

Memories of Mom and Dad—Bob Frazier
Over the years I have grown to love Mom and Dad and appreciate them more. Both have been warm, friendly and sincere individuals. Dad has been to me the same since I married Sandy 27 years ago: always friendly, interested in people and their backgrounds, willing and ready to extend a hand to help build, repair, or just haul away someone's trash. He has given of himself to help friends in time of sickness, sorrow, death and needs. His smile makes you feel comfortable around him.
Mom over the years has proven her sincere love for the Lord. She always has been active serving the Lord and is a real student of the Word. She is very famous for her cooking, which I believe we all look forward to when we visit Mom and Dad.
I have a special humorous memory of Dad when Sandy and I began a mission in Juarez, Mexico, seven years ago. I asked Dad if he would help us do some remodeling on the building. He stayed with us two weeks and did a great job fixing up the place. One rainy day Dad, I, and some Mexicans went around Juarez buying building material. Dad was tired, so for the couple of hours or more he lay on the bed we had in the back of our van and slept the whole time. He looked so peaceful.
When Mom came to visit us a few years ago, she didn't particularly enjoy the traffic over in Juarez. She was with us one day returning from church services and we came to a certain intersection where there was always a lot of traffic—it was a busy highway at that. When I was finally able to cross over into the highway, I looked over and there was Mom slouched down in the seat with her head covered with her coat. It was no laughing matter to Mom but inside I thought, “How funny.”

A Clown and a Cook—David Heesen
Daddy and I were driving to Eugene, I think, and I was remarking how beautiful all the pine trees looked on the side of the hills. Without hesitation, Daddy remarked, “You should see them around Christmastime when they're all lit up!” Always the clown!
It wouldn't be fair to picture Daddy as only a clown. An image that keeps cropping up in my memory of Daddy is his coming home from his week long trucking run. Mom would ask him why he was so late. Daddy's reply invariably was, “Oh, I had to stop and change a tire for some woman,” or some variation on that theme. This was never questioned by any of us because it is so typical of Daddy to help others. When we were on long auto trips he was always pulling over to assist stalled motorists. Even to this day, when we call home and Daddy isn't there, it's almost always because he's out helping someone.
We used to love to eat at La Ramada, a tiny Mexican restaurant on Balboa Island. Our favorite waiter, Chris, would wait on us. One meal we seemed to have extra tortillas so Daddy decided to take some home. As he was stashing them in his coat pocket, who would walk up but Chris, asking if we needed anything. You should have seen Daddy's embarrassed look.
Daddy is always so friendly and open to strangers. The words to a favorite old song sum him up well: “I wave my hat to all I meet, and they wave back to me.”
I had moved away from home and was spending the night at a friend's house. I was looking forward to suppertime as I pictured us all around the table happily conversing and indulging. But this was not to be the case. My friend told me, “Oh, we all just serve ourselves, buffet style.” It was then I realized what I had long taken for granted, the year-in and year-out breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine of Mom, with family around the table—a time to relax and enjoy food and family. ``Who could ask for anything more???
It would be unfair to picture Mom as merely a cook. Mom knows what she believes and doesn't care who else knows. I really appreciate this in her. As important as relationships and friends are, Truth is more important<D>. If we put our “cards on the table” (so to speak) as Mom does, things will work out. Oh, there might be misunderstandings, confrontations, and awkward moments sometimes, but Mom will never leave you guessing what's she's thinking or what she believes. This is not to say that she is a tactless person—far from that. She would not ride roughshod over anyone. Thanks, Mom, for putting your cards on the table.
Though she has probably never said it in so many words, it is obvious to us children that Mom loves God more than any of us. That's hard for some people to understand, but we're glad she does. He deserves<D> her love more than any of us.
“When a voice in your ear
Speaks of faith, not of fear
And tells you
To go be a doer.
Give heed to the voice
That makes `Love' your first choice,
And throw protocol down the sewer.” (Johnny Hart, B.C.)
Mom could have written that one herself!

Postscript
Receiving and reading all these wonderful responses has been a rewarding experience. And I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have. There were times when I laughed; there were times when I got a lump in my throat. I know one thing—I appreciate Mom and Dad more now than I ever have, just knowing the impact they have had on all our lives.

Sing-Along Favorites
Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet
Put on your old grey bonnet with the blue ribbon on it,
While I hitch old Dobbin to the shay,
And through the fields of clover,
We'll drive up to Dover on our golden wedding day.
—Murphy/Wenrich

Let the Rest of the World Go By
With someone like you, a pal good and true,
I'd like to leave it all behind, and go and find
Some place that's known to God alone,
Just a spot to call our own.
We'll find perfect peace,
Where joys never cease,
Out there beneath a kindly sky,
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west,
And let the rest of the world go by.
—Brennan/Ball

Mockin' Bird Hill
1. When the sun in the mornin' peeps over the hill
And kisses the roses round my windowsill;
Then my heart fills with gladness when I hear the trill
Of the birds in the treetops on Mockin' Bird Hill.

CHORUS
Tra-la-la, twittle-dee-dee-dee, it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the mornin' to the mockin' bird's trill
Tra-la-la, twittle-dee-dee-dee, there's peace and good will;
You're welcome as the flowers on Mockin' Bird Hill.

2. When it's late in the evening, I climb up the hill
And survey all my kingdom while ev'rything's still;
Only me and the sky and an ol' whippoorwill
Singin' songs in the twilight on Mockin' Bird Hill.
—Horton

The Happy Wanderer
1. I love to go a-wandering
Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back.

CHORUS
Val-de-ri, Val-de-ra,
Val-de-ri, Val-de-ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, ha, Val-de-ra,
1. My knapsack on my back.
2. Come! Join my happy song!
3. From ev'ry green-wood tree.
4. Beneath God's clear, blue sky.

2. I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun,
So joyously it calls to me,
“Come! Join my happy song!”

3. I wave my hat to all I meet,
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds call, so loud and sweet,
From ev'ry green-wood tree.

4. Oh may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die.
Oh, may-eigh-o, we'd laugh and sing,
Beneath God's clear, blue sky.
—Ridge/Moller
How Great Thou Art
1. O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.

CHORUS
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in—
When on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin.

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joys shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
—Stuart K. Hine