Marie Elizabeth Schloer

I was born in Oakes, North Dakota, on April 26, 1916 to parents Steve and Margaret Torscher. Both of them were born in Baden, Russia now Ukraine. We were a family of 12; your kids, my kids and our kids. I was the middle of our kids. We moved to Harvey, North Dakota, when I was a baby. I grew up on farms.

I left home in 1936 and went to Minot to look for work. I got a job on a farm with the Register of Deeds from Minot, close to the Schloer Farm. Started going with Joe Schloer, a brother’s wife was his sister, so we were double related. We got married on September 21, 1937, on Joe’s dad’s birthday. Joe’s mother and dad, his sister with three kids, and his youngest brother all moved to Everett and we stayed on the farm. We had two girls there, Sharon and Janet. Four years later the farm was sold so we moved into Minot where Joe got a job hauling coal. We lived in Minot for two years where Larry was born, and then we moved to Burlington, North Dakota. Joe hauled coal for a coal mine and we lived there until it was shut down. Roland was born while we lived at the mine.

Next we moved to Foxholm, Joe’s home town. While there, Victor and Carol came along. We lived in Foxholm for 5 years, then in 1950 we came west and lived in Everett for a year. We moved to Duwamish for a year and then we moved to Midway. Had three more boys; Gordon, Steve and Leon during the ten years we lived there. Our next door neighbor, a Norwegian, was from my home town of Harvey. We hadn’t known each other back in Harvey but she ended up being one of the best neighbors anyone could have. We kept in contact for 50 years until she passed away two years ago on her 99th birthday.

In 1963 we moved into Auburn and I’m still living in the same house. Joe passed away June 20, 1992 and we lost Sharon on February 2, 1977. So now I live here by myself for as long as I can. My only occupation was being a wife and mother, and that was a full time job. All work and no pay makes a Housewife. That was me. I keep busy doing what I can and read a lot. That’s my hobby now. I have 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with another on the way.

I’m thankful for all the help that family does. One comes every weekend to do what is needed. They also run errands like doctor appointments, etc.

So, God Bless You All and thank you. My back door is always open to everyone that comes to see me and you are more than welcome. It means a lot.

Love, Mom Schloer