We were married at Saint John’s. I moved to the farm on March 12^th, 1929. I “bached” it until April 29^th, 1929. Bernadene wanted to wait til she was 21 but she must have felt sorry for me. I fixed supper at 8-9:00. We changed to Methodist 2 years later. She (Bernadene) worked in town and went to the Methodist Church. After 2 years I got my letter from Saint John’s and transferred membership. Roads bad, quite a ways up there to Saint John’s.

Day we got married we started up the hill by Dammon’s and couldn’t make it. Backed down and tried again. Made it. A lot of clay on the road by the cemetery so we went through the neighbor’s field and came out just north of the church, he had a lane out both ways. So got married and went back through the neighbor’s field and Mary came out with a big cake and chivalried us. Got home (the folks) and it was muddy as heck that night. Harry went to get Emily and never got back. So we had dinner there at the folks and Dad said, “You better stay the night here. You don’t know if you can there and back or not.” So, we stayed there that night. Francis there and kept a tormenting us. Honeymoon at Mom and Dad’s. Francis and Harry Stood up with us. Only ones we could find. I think Mom didn’t think too much [of us] getting married quick like that. We had a wedding but we were glad to get there as it was. Then the next morning, why, went to town and got our picture taken. We got on our wedding clothes and got our picture taken. Went to our house and started housekeeping. Well the good old days, I guess.

I never could see how two people could get married and then fight. I just couldn’t see how they do it. We didn’t always agree but if there was something she wanted, she could have it as long as I had a little money in the bank and didn’t overdraw. One time, I don’t have any idea what was going on or what was wrong or what made her, but she was standing right close to me and evidently she was kinda mad about something. I remember her saying “I have a notion to hit you.” And I told her to go ahead if you feel like it and she just wilted. I’ve often wondered since then what she was peeved about.

I played the sax. After I got married didn’t have time. Also, played [the] steel guitar. In 1946, I was Master Swine Producer. A man from Iowa State in Ames came down and took a picture of Kay and Betty out in the pasture. I was down at Trotter’s mowing hay. The field was full of gopher mounds and kept plugging things up. The guy came down and I was disgusted you know with everything (chuckle, chuckle) and he really didn’t know what to say.

Wisdom to future generations

1) Care for people

2) Love Jesus

3) You have to work for a living-you can’t expect a handout

4) Be careful of credit cards

Lester August Tinnermeier

9-19-1997

Interview by his Granddaughter, Cindy Smothers Irvin