-Isms

On the 100th anniversary of women earning the right to vote, I’ve been thinking about the long line of strong women in my family. I never had the opportunity to meet my paternal great-grandmothers. Great-grandma Larson died giving birth and Great-grandma Gropper died six years before I entered the world.

I am a strong woman because a strong woman - Barbara Fields Larson - raised me.

I imagine her strength came from role models - strong Oakdale women - she grew up watching: her mother, Neola; grandmother, Annie; great-grandmother, Lulu and great-great-grandmother, Jane.

Lulu - or “Little Grandma” - as she was affectionately referred to by family members, earned her nickname because of her height.

Lulu was always a bit of a mystery. My memories of her are vague, but I imagine if I would have had more time with her, we would have shared several interests. She died in 1965, at age 92. I was three and one-half years old.

Yet, I distinctly remember visiting the square-framed house where she lived, can visualize her in a rocking chair.

She was born in Iowa to John and Jane, one of 11 children. Her family moved around Iowa, trying to survive life on the native prairie. Grasshoppers shredded crops. Times were tough. Money was minimal.

So, in 1880, my great-great-great-grandfather loaded an oxen-drawn covered wagon and moved the family to Nebraska. Near Sioux City, they crossed the Missouri River by ferry, and finally settled on a timber claim eight miles southeast of Oakdale, in the St. Clair Valley.

By 1890, she married Joseph Prevo in Cedar Township, Like in her childhood years, adult life presented struggles, but she, and the rest of the family, persevered, continuing to live off the land.

Lulu spent plenty of summer and fall days harvesting garden goods. During sweet corn season, Lulu would sit for hours with a pan in her lap, cutting corn off the cob. It was a family affair. When mulberries were in season, they would all return.

Lulu excelled at sewing and crocheting, creating rugs from scraps of clothing, sewing projects, worn-out clothing, work pants and old jeans. She also made a pair of custom mittens for the grandchildren.

Lulu overcame other struggles.

My great aunt, Louise Ritter Prevo, told the story, which was also recorded in an Antelope County history book.

As a young woman, she was headed home from Oakdale with her niece, Edith Bliss. A storm broke out across the prairie, a funnel cloud dropping from the sky. She turned the team of horses toward a fence. Edith was ejected from the buggy, unharmed. Lulu wasn’t as lucky. The tornado swept Lulu, the buggy and team of horses over the fence, crashing down in a field. She suffered several broken ribs from the incident.

When I think of Little Grandma, phrases like pioneer spirit, farm wife and anchor of the family come to mind.

Family members witnessed her strength, soaking up life’s lessons and love. I hope my daughters and granddaughters embrace those values and find strength from their great-great-great-great-grandmother.