Walter

In the middle of a summer full of unexpected events come blessings we couldn't have predicted. I'd like to share a story this morning that shows God has a plan and purpose for all of us. And the jobs He has for us in the summer of 2025, like having the desire and ability to be a small part of a concert on the square in southern Iowa last night, God actually puts people and events in place in our lives years earlier for His good. Thanks for the picture Merribeth.

We received a random FB message from a gal in Georgia earlier in August asking if I knew a Boender who was a hired hand for her Grandfather 55 years ago. After confirming that was me, Deb made arrangements to fly to her cousin Meg in Wisconsin, and then drive down to Iowa together, to remember her family's history.

After meeting at our shop we drove north of Osky to see where their parents had grown up, and to see where their grandfather Walter was farming when he passed away. They had attended his funeral when they were 13 and 10 yrs old. We found Walter's D17 AC tractor thanks to my cousin Stan. We found Walter, his wife, his parents, and his sister in Forest cemetery thanks to Mark.

As briefly as possible I'd like to share Walter's story and how God used him, his son Bill (Deb's father), and my father to prepare for the rest of our purposes. Thanks for the picture of 3 families of cousins on the first day of school Stacy.

I didn't want to go to school. When I asked my Dad if I could stay home, he said no. I needed to face my own battles. I was the new kid in 9th grade at North Mahaska. "Randy the Butcher", a senior was picking on me, and Mr. Atkins had paired us together in a PE wrestling match. As I was sitting near the mat fearful, Emory, another senior, (now BJs landlord) said not to sell myself short. I fought like I'd been throwing bales of hay all summer of 1970. I pinned him. Life got good. The boys slapped me on the shoulders. The girls smiled and said hi to me in the school halls. Coach Atkins asked me to play football. And for the first time in my life I loved school.

The turn of events caught my Dad by surprise when I excitedly came home and said I had been asked to join the football team. My Dad told me if I had time to practice ball after school, I had time to get a job.

This is where Walter comes in. Dad took me to meet an elderly farmer that raised sheep and drove AC tractors, neither of which I knew much about. Walter and I became friends and I helped him on afternoons and evenings my 9th, 10th, and 11th grades of high school.

One evening in early November of 1973 I went to chore and noticed things weren't right. Walter went to town every evening for supper. And on this evening his yellow Olds was home. I found Walter. He had passed away of a heart attack earlier that day. I called my Dad. I called information for his son, Bill's phone number. And I made that difficult call to Athens, Georgia, to tell Bill (Deb's Dad) that his father had passed away.

Bill flew to Iowa the next morning. He asked me to be a pallbearer with 5 other old guys. Bill asked me to make ready and line up machinery for a farm sale later. And Bill asked me to rent this 200 acre farm 50/50 during my senior year of high school. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

I finished my senior year at PCHS in May of 1974. I asked Jan to marry me in December. We started our lives together in March of 1975. And the rest, up till this summer, is history (His-story) as they say.

I was reminded this summer of God's faithfulness 55 years ago. I thank God for Emory on that wrestling mat with encouragement, for Walter, for his son and his granddaughters, for sure Jan who joined my life with nothing more than love, an FHA loan, and a promise to try my hardest. But most of all I thank God for my father, who said no to football, who took me to Walter, who allowed his firstborn to start farming at 17 years old, losing his right hand on the farm. It's late and time to quit. Maybe updates on health and harvest next week. Blessings.