Romance at the Hotel Rogers

romance When I was little, I loved to hear the story about how Mom and Dad met. I thought it was so romantic.

My Grandpa, Mom’s dad, had lost his life in a fall from the convent building in Campbellsport, WI. Grandma Cecilia had six children and had to figure out how to support them. The only work she could find was as a dishwasher at the Hotel Rogers.

Mom was trained as a legal secretary but because this was during the Depression, most of the lawyers were doing their own office work. So, Mom went to work at Hotel Rogers as a waitress.

There was a handsome gentleman who came to stay in the Hotel whenever he was in town. He was a salesman for Plankinton Packing Company. His route took him through Beaver Dam two or three days each week. Ron would eat at the restaurant. He always tried to sit in Mom’s section and before long they began dating.

As in most romance stories or Fairy Tales, there were a few glitches in the story. The only glitch in this tale had to do with religion. Mom’s family was raised Catholic and Grandma was a devout Catholic. Dad’s family was Methodist and had been for many years.

romance Grandma was very upset about this and fought the idea of Mom and Dad marrying. Their love was strong and in November of 1938, they were married. At that time in the Catholic church, both parties to the marriage had to be Catholic in order to be married in the church. Mom and Dad chose to be married in the Rectory at St. Peters Church.

It was a beautiful fall day and Mom looked radiant. She carried lovely fall flowers including giant golden mums.

Grandma Cecilia did not attend the wedding. In the early days of the marriage, Grandma did not want anything to do with Dad and remained angry with Mom. As time went on, Dad was able to soften Grandma Cecilia’s heart. He offered to help anytime Grandma needed help and always treated her with kindness.

By the time I was born in 1949, Dad and Grandma had a decent relationship. I was the youngest of three girls and Grandma was present in all our lives. I love hearing that with love and kindness, obstacles can be conquered.