Grandma does a jig!

Beulah Frances Slaback Smith Yttri was Avis’ mother. I remember her like this. I believe this might have been her 80th birthday.

She was born December 3, 1898 in Forest, Richland County, Wisconsin to Gustavus Peter Slaback and Ruth Elnora Sanford. As a child, she attended school, probably at Goose Creek, which was a one room school house. She later attended the Vernon County Normal School to obtain her teaching certificate. Mom said that Grandma wanted to be a nurse, but her parents wouldn’t hear of it. Apparently, that was not a respectable career in their eyes.

Beulah was said to have been a teacher out in the Dakotas, where exactly, I have not been able to locate. At some point, her father made her return home, as she had not been paid her salary, just room and board, maybe in students’ homes. I’m not sure the timeframe that she taught either. I just know Mom said she did.

On January 26, 1921, Beulah married Norval Smith. They had 6 children: Avis Lenell 1921-2014, Lyle 1923-1923, Lois Lorraine 1925-1992, Norma Naomi 1927-1980, Elnora Emogene (living) and (Norval) Gardner 1932-2010. Norval had served in the Army during WWI. He contracted throat cancer and died March 21, 1942. My mom said that Beulah made several crocheted bedspreads while she was caring for Norval while he was ill. One was a white ripple pattern. I’m not sure if the multi-colored ripple bedspread I own is one she made at that time or not.

Beulah later married Edward Yttri on December 20, 1944. For some reason they went to Winnebago County, Illinois to be married. I believe my Mom, Toni and Sheila were living with Beulah at the time, as Dad was in the Navy by that point. I remember Mom saying she waitressed during that time and lived with her Mom while Dad was gone.

Mom said that she remembered when her father was living, they went to dances, played cards and generally had good fun. I’m not sure when this picture below was taken, but it is by far my favorite picture of Beulah Slaback! She looks like she was having a fantastic time!

Beulah died June 4, 1986 at the age of 88.