Barbara Jane Windemuth

Barbara was born and lived in the same house her whole life before she married. Myrtle’s father had built the house. She came from a family of eight children, John, Russell, Eudora, Bud, Jerry, Wanda, Barbara, and Nancy. When Barbara was born there was no bed for her, so she spent some time in a dresser drawer.

The house on Oaks Ave had no bathroom, only a toilet in the basement. There was running water in the kitchen and basement. There were three bedrooms, but one was so small bunk beds could barely fit in. Later, after Martin and Barbara were married, he put a bathroom in with a tub, toilet and sink. The LaFontaine siblings were spread so far apart that Barbara does not remember growing up with John, Russell or Eudora living at home. Barbara and Wanda shared the larger bedroom and Bud and Jerry were in the little bedroom on bunk beds.

In 1929 when the Depression hit, John LaFontaine lost his house. The family moved to St Charles and he worked in the foundry. Then, later they moved back to Rockford and bought back the house for $20 from the bank.

Barbara had a red coat at 15 years old and was so tired of it. Her mom said she could have a new one. Mom dyed the red coat black and that’s how she got a new coat. Barbara went to 11th grade and quit school at 16 to make money. Eudora was the only sibling to graduate from high school. Barbara began work at JI Cases on the assembly line making magnetos for cars. Then, when World War II began, she worked at Roper’s.

Barbara opened a charge account at the Rockford dry goods store and bought luggage and clothes. She was still paying off the account when she got married. Barbara took the train to Chicago with her new luggage and clothes, which included a plaid skirt, to see Martin while they were dating.

Barbara had been busy while Martin was in the service taking Bible studies from his dad. She was baptized after his military service was over. Barbara was the fifth woman to wear Eudora’s wedding dress that she had gotten from Wildecarter Frock Shop while working there as a seamstress.

Martin and Barbara got married on November 17, 1945 in the Rockford SDA church. They planned a honeymoon to Chicago, but Martin neglected to make reservations. Finding no vacancies in motels, they returned to their home in Rockford. This house involved hauling water from Martin’s parents’ home and ice for the ice box. There was a pot belly stove in the living room.

After she and Martin got married, Barbara went to work at Shan House which made mackinaws. Her job was to sew the sleeves. Barbara’s mother worked there too. While working at Shan House Barbara became pregnant and quit work. Her lifetime dream had come true – to become a mother. Three children were born in Rockford – Sylvia in 1947, Tim in 1950 and Dan in 1956.

Then, the great Windemuth westward movement began. Tired of the cold winters and acting upon the reports from friends of warm sunshine and no snow in southern CAL, the family moved to Orange County. They lived in Fullerton for one year, and then, Barbara got homesick and the family moved back to Rockford. Three months later, the family decided to head again for sunny California. This time Martin and brother-in-law, Clark Bennett, ventured ahead and scouted out possible land sites. They found some promising possibilities in Yorba Linda, so returned to pack up the family and possessions and move.

Martin found some land in Villa Park and began construction. Every weeknight he would drive from the rented house in Anaheim to Villa Park to build the house. This continued for two – two ½ years. Meantime, Martin’s parents followed the Windemuth western movement and rented an apartment in Anaheim. Carl helped build the house. In 1959 the Windemuth family moved into their house at

9621 Dodson Way. Sylvia was in 6th grade, Tim was in 3rd grade and Dan was 3 ½ years old.

Barbara’s mother, Myrtle, was a widow after 50 years of marriage. The Rockford children did not approve of a second marriage to Tony, her neighbor who lived at the top of the hill, at 70 years of age. So they came to California to be married at Barbara’s home.

When the children got older, Barbara went to work in food service at El Modena and Orange High Schools for 20 + years. Then, on retirement, she kept busy at the gift store at St Joseph’s Hospital for another 20 years.

Barbara and Martin enjoyed many cruises to Mexico, Tahiti, and Alaska - 25 in all. The family threw them a 50 year anniversary party at Promontory Point in Newport Beach. For their 60th wedding anniversary, they went on a cruise to the Mexican Rivera with family and friends. Their 70th wedding anniversary was celebrated at Orange SDA Church with a special service.

Martin fell asleep in Jesus in March of 2020. Barbara moved from her home of 60 years in 2021 to Idaho to be closer to her family. She passed away surrounded by those family members, waiting for the call of Jesus and to be reunited with Martin after 74 years of marriage.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thornhillvalley.com for the Windemuth family.