Recipes for Living Enid Siefkas Kendall

I was born in the Osceola Hospital, delivered by Dr. Shively, on July 15, 1929, and grew up on a farm in the Lacelle area. My parents were Henry and Eula Siefkas. Mother received her degree from Drake and taught school for about 30 years-country schools and the 4th grade in Weldon, Iowa. She also found time to serve as a 4-H Club leader and worked with the Farm Bureau.

Father worked very hard for Clarke County all of his life. He held various offices in Farm Bureau and worked with 4-H Clubs. In later years he ran for State Representative and won. He held that office for 12 years, serving on many committees, always working for the farmers and farming community. My mother went with him as his secretary and worked with the Ladies' Legislative League. Dad was president of Clarke County REC (Rural Electric Co-op) for a number of years, and also held an office in the Southwest Federation at Creston (an affiliation of REC).

I had an older sister, Marcia, and a younger sister, Myrna. Our home life was very rewarding due in large part, in my opinion, to my parents being very strict. I can remember feeling that they were too strict, but now that I am older, I see how much that shaped my life. There was never a question as to whether or not we would go to church on Sunday or to Bible School or other church functions. We were there.

I attended Knox #2 country school all of my grade school years. We walked two miles to school on dirt roads and two miles home every night. All the students did this. We expected nothing else. Our parents were busy farmers and we never dreamed of having them get in the car and take us. We carried a dinner bucket with a cold lunch, or sometimes we took such food as soup and put it on the heating stove for our noon meal.

My favorite teacher was Lola Cochran (Hunt). My parents laughed many times about how I idolized her. I wrote like she did, walked like she did, and copied her in many ways. I would do anything for her and my penmanship is still like hers. I often find myself living according to ways that she taught me. It is interesting how the paths of our lives have continually crossed-my mother taught Leland, Lola's husband; Lola was my teacher and later was my son Mike's teacher; and, when I started teaching, her daughters went to school to me.

There have been several momentous times in my life. The most devastating was in my adolescent years, when my sister Myrna died. She was 12 years-of-age and I was 16. My older sister, Marcia, was away in college. The teen years are very impressionable and it had an impact on my life that has changed many of my perspectives. I always thought such things happened to other families, not to us. She and I had always been very close. We did everything together from riding horses to sleeping in the same bed. We attended the Lacelle Methodist Church and she and I would start the big pot-bellied heating stove on Saturday evenings, put a chunk of wood or coal in it so it would burn all night and take the chill off the air for Sunday morning services.

Our Christian faith eventually saw us through the grief but, until we could get our bearings, Mother was very distraught. She quit eating and withdrew from normal reality. No one could bring her out of it until Dr. Harken faced her. He had an abrupt way about him and reminded her in no uncertain terms that she had a husband and two other children, and she had a responsibility to help them through this. His conversation and her faith in God in time restored her to her former self.

I admit there was awhile that I hated God because he took my little sister. I remember lying out on the lawn, looking up at the sky and asking, bitterly, "Why did you do this?" But in the end I would discover that the Lord always finds a way or a person to bring us through our difficult times. The deep faith of my parents brought all of us through the experience. It was part of what helped me learn to face reality and trust in the Christian teachings of my home.

The one thing that happened due to this experience was the memory of relatives and friends coming to our home and expressing their condolences to my mother and father. We girls were grieving, too, and it seemed the adults would ignore our presence. This taught me that in any similar situation, I must make certain that I recognize that the young people hurt, too. I make a special effort to address them.

I am now convinced that everything happens for a reason. My father came through it with a final conclusion, as he often said, that perhaps we should cry at a birth and rejoice when the Lord takes a soul home. Life in this world is not easy and one who is passing on goes to a better life. My faith grew stronger and sustained me later when I developed my first breast cancer. My daughter, Allison, was four at the time. Some people are so fearful that they won't even say the word "cancer". That was not my case. I had learned that we are mortal. We will die. I remember praying, "Lord, if you want me to raise her, you will bring me through this despicable disease. Nevertheless, thy will be done."

My education had continued in country schools through the elementary years and I came to Osceola, where I graduated from high school. I went on to Simpson and completed my education at Drake. I taught school for five years, three in Clarke and two in Wright County.

What a difference in school systems between then and now! In those days pupils were not promoted until they were ready to go on to the next grade. One-room country schools had some advantages. It was a mutual benefit to the students that the younger ones heard the older ones recite and, when the older ones had finished their lesson preparation, they helped the younger ones.

Reading was and is very important. The ability to read not only gives enjoyment but a sense of self-confidence. In my opinion phonics is basic. It teaches children to read, to spell and better prepares them for future ventures. When children can sound out words, they can read anything. Those who were taught by this method excelled in all subjects and in whatever career they have chosen.

Most of the parents were very supportive of teachers. They took the teaching of proper behavior seriously, and kids who misbehaved at school were in more trouble when they got home. I told Nancy Seybert, who wrote an article about me in the January, 1999, Spirit of Osceola that I would probably have been in trouble with the law enforcement people if legislation were then as it is now. I couldn't take the disrespect and language that is so frequently used today. I felt discipline was for the children’s' sake as well as mine.

My children were born over a period of 19 years. Michael was born on Apri112, 1951, while I was teaching in Wright County. After I quit teaching, my husband and I ran a turkey farm in the Lacelle area. Even though it was hard work, it was a fun time. Arcel and Velma Luce, Russell and Frances Tolley, Bob and Delores Luce, Leland and Lola Hunt, Glen and Gladys Evans and others all worked together and were such close friends!

Mark was born March 8, 1955, while we were farming and Allison was born on November 6, 1970, while I was working at the HyVee Food Store in Osceola. Once again my sister's death affected my thinking. I raised my children with a constant awareness that something could happen to them. It put life in a different perspective.

Linda Bachman lived there for about three years. I loved to hear her play her piano and sing. I also heard her sewing machine run all night making costumes for the many musical programs her students performed while she was teaching. She was an excellent teacher and the young people loved her as did my family and I.

I worked as a bookkeeper at Saylor Feed and Grain, then became a catalog desk manager for J.C. Penney's, and went on to HyVee Food Stores. In every move I made, I was always trying to better myself. I worked at HyVee for 14 years for Dale Scritchfield, which was an education in itself. Would that some of his attitudes toward business were still in practice today! He used to tell employees, "I want you to remember one thing. When someone walks in the front door of our business, it is just like you are inviting them into your home. Smile and talk to them, not to each other." He meant it! Everyone, even young people, knew they had a job to do and they had better do it. If they didn't, they knew they could be clocked out. He would do it in a minute. He and I might really have it out from time to time but we would end up the best of friends. Other friends with whom I became really close were Jim and Effie Crawford, Robert and Marge Wambold, Harold and Doris Kentner, Larry and Linda Carson, Don and Phyllis Lynn, and others, including many carry-out boys. We truly became a HyVee family. After Dale retired, I worked an additional year for his replacement, another good manager, Mr. Klockenga.

My legs and back were beginning to bother me and I thought I might have to make a change. There was an opening in the courthouse for the office of Clarke County Recorder and I decided to follow my father's footsteps into politics and public service. I had learned a lot about state government by visiting the State Legislature and was honored to have a personal acquaintance with Governor Beardsley, State Treasurer, J. M. Grimes, and many others. I was assured that if I didn't win, I would still have a job at HyVee; but, when I did win, I became the Recorder for 16 years before retiring.

Two years after my breast cancer, I had intestinal surgery. Next come colon cancer. I felt peaceful about it because I thought that my children were self-sufficient and didn't need my guidance as they had when they were little. However, when regaining consciousness and seeing the expressions of sympathy on their faces, I knew I still had an important place in their lives. I started chemotherapy treatments which produced severe side effects. Halfway through the series I developed mouth sores, my eyes were bad, my finger nails came off, and my blood vessels collapsed, among other complications. I went to my specialist in Des Moines, Dr. Baroker, and said, "I don't know what you are trying to do but you're killing me." He left the office to visit with nurses with whom I had kept in touch, then came back and said, "We're going to stop." My immediate question was, "For how long?" And I received the answer, "Forever. You don't have any cancer." I do go back in July (1999) for another check-up but I am not fearful.

In fact, I didn't worry about the situation while it was happening. I regarded it as just another challenge that I'd get through somehow. These kinds of experiences always brought me closer to God. I have always felt that I am solely responsible for my life and, when these hardships occur, I look for some way in which I have been negligent toward my Christian faith. I remember lying in the hospital, at the time of this flare-up, saying to myself: "Well, what did you do this time, Enid?" Maybe I had gotten a little arrogant, or I'd become a little over-confident or unfaithful in church attendance or something. Maybe this was meant for a reason. Very possibly I needed to have my spiritual battery recharged.

I credit my recovery not only to the chemo but to the prayers and other support of my Christian friends of all denominations and no denomination. I owe a lot to Rilma Muller who took me to every doctor's appointment in Des Moines and helped with my home during my absence. Barb Wood was very attentive and still calls me every day. These thoughtful people and others supplemented the solid foundation laid by my upbringing. There is no way in the world that I could live without my faith. I am not afraid of dying, but I want no part of lying in a bed and having somebody take care of me for however many years.

It was proven again that "God always sends a way or a person." A situation developed when I paid the price of consequences for indiscretion. There is no reluctance on my part to give the details-in a small community there are no secrets and it was widely known. However, to dredge up all this could be hurtful to other people and I will not risk that.

The point is that, through members of his congregation, I became acquainted with Pastor Baumgarn of the Lutheran Church; and I came to have such confidence in him that at a point, when the bottom fell out of my life, he was the first one I called. I told him all about my problem and we discussed the issue of sin openly and frankly. He said time and again that there aren't degrees of sin-to be obese from overeating is as much a sin as any disobedience; and there is no life free from sin. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" was the way Paul expressed it in his letter to the church at Rome (3:23).

At the conclusion Pastor Baumgarn said, "You have met all the qualifications for forgiveness. You realize you have sinned and are sorry. That is repentance. You have asked for forgiveness, and there is the promise that if we do that, God is faithful and will forgive us (1 John 1:9). So, remember that you have been forgiven and walk down the street with your head held high." That gave me a new start and the courage to go on. I suppose it was at least partly because of that experience that I became very opposed to judging. I became more aware of the sins I have committed in my life and because that is the case with every one of us, I don't feel we can sit in judgment. As it was, what seemed so tragic at the time turned out to be the greatest blessing of my life.

Whenever I was at a low point, I knew I could call Pastor Baumgarn. He helped me when I needed someone to discuss situations that arose regarding raising my children. Through this relationship I became acquainted with some of the beliefs in the Lutheran Church. I went through their confirmation, which was a thorough study of the Bible and their concepts. Those were and are a great help to me, but the Methodist Church held my roots and I eventually came "home".

Melvin Goeldner used to say, "One learns by doing." How true! One learns to live by living. Melvin gave me a thoughtful gift, as he did for many others. Not long before he died, he sent me a letter. Nearly the entire front of the envelope was covered by 1¢ postage stamps, leaving a little place for my name. In the envelope were pictures of a storm that happened on my parents' farm long years ago.

At this time in my life, I am making the transition to retirement, cleaning out files and closets of all that was required for my work and for which there was no time to sort through while I was working. I bowl several times a week. I am on two leagues and substitute often. The way I look at life is that everything is a challenge.

I am working very hard for the Republican Party, as did my mother and father, again my role models. I feel that politicians promote and maintain high standards, and are not dishonest and demeaning, as too many people believe. There were and are lots of fellows like my father, whose integrity was beyond doubt. Both my parents ate and slept politics and, when I was born, Dad didn't announce a new baby but a new Republican. I take rather personally those who judge the political system so harshly. They are the ones that do not participate. There are elected officials who work tirelessly for the people. My father was one.

Our forefathers of both parties intended these offices to be held with honesty and in high esteem. Each one of us is responsible for the freedoms we often take for granted. We are free to vote for officials that will bring honor to the United States of America and not elect the ones who bring dishonor. One vote can make the difference. Don't let it be yours. If we lose this freedom, we are letting our forefathers down, and putting our children and grandchildren in jeopardy. This is not a pleasant thought but it has frightened me to watch our voter registration decrease every year.

Each of my children are such a blessing to me! They all learned to work as they were growing up. Mark was employed at Rilea's Flowers, when they were in a greenhouse on the comer of South Park and East Grace. They also sold craft items and I still have a little pewter pitcher that Mark bought for me with money from his first paycheck. The children also carried papers and Allison carried the Advertiser. Mike worked on farms, baled hay and did other jobs. He worked as life guard at the swimming pool and at HyVee, as did Mark and Allison as well. We were financially poor but rich in the blessings of life-togetherness.

As in all families, each of the children is unique and yet in some ways alike. Allison was fond of animals and had many pets. Michael was fond of athletics and excelled in swimming, running and competitive races. Mark was the soft-hearted one and was always trying to help somebody. I can remember, while he was a case worker for Social Services, that he called home to say he had seen his first drug baby and it was a terrible shock to him.

They are all now settled in their own lives and homes: Mike lives in San Diego, California, and runs a company called Kendall Orthodics; Mark lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He served six years in the Navy, was discharged and tried other fields of work but he always went back to social services. He never was able, because of regulations, to do all that he wished he could. He recently received a degree from Arizona University and is working on his Master's degree.

Allison received her degree from DMAAC (Des Moines Area College, actually a branch of Iowa State University) as Dental Assistant but had to give it up because of an allergy to latex. She took a job at HyVee as shift-manager. She married Adam Cannon, who is an electrician for Seed and Grain, based in Truro, Iowa, and Allison travels with him.

Mike's children are: Erin, who graduated from high school in Tucson and is now enrolled in college in California; Jennifer is a senior in high school in Tucson, in the process of graduating.

I always figured life is in phases-baby years, teenage years, child rearing years and retirement years and God has abundantly blessed each phase. Now I'm enjoying my children, grandchildren, my friends and my home.