Treinen, Wilma Raetz (Teacher)

RAETZ, TREINEN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/22/2015 at 15:24:27

Raetz - Treinen
Country School Teacher Biography

Wilma (Raetz) Treinen

(Biography written by her daughters)

Wilma Raetz was born September 10, 1914 in Ashton, Iowa. When she was 5 years old she moved with her family to rural Meadow Township, northeast of Remsen. She attended country school through the 8th grade.

She graduated from Marcus High School at age 16 on May 20, 1931. She was valedictorian of her class. During her junior and senior years in high school she took Normal Training & Methods classes to prepare her for her teaching profession. She did practice teaching in a country school.

The minimum age for teaching was 18 so she had to wait a year for her first teaching assignment. She spent that year working on the family farm.

Her first teaching assignment was at a country school 4 miles south of Remsen in Remsen Township. Her salary was $45.00 a month. She taught there 2 years.

She spent the next 3 years at a school in Meadow Township 1 mile south of her family’s farm. She walked to and from school.

She spent 1 year at a country school in Cherokee County and then finished her teacher career spending 2 years in Fredonia Township with a salary of $85.00 a month.

She married Merle Treinen September 9, 1940 and had a family of 8 children. She lives in Remsen with her husband, Merle.

Notes from Wilma: School started after Labor Day and continued through the end of May. Students attended country school from Kindergarten through 8th grade and there were 8 to 15 students per school. Typical subjects included Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Hygiene, Geography, Music, Art and Penmanship. Students’ families provided books and supplies, wood or coal to heat the school. The stove was usually in the middle of the room. Older kids were assigned to carry the daily water supply from a nearby farm as there was no well at the school. The teacher was responsible for cleaning and for minor maintenance of the school.
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[Wilma Raetz taught at Remsen #1, Meadow #7 and Fredonia #5.]