The 1940 Census - June Gantenbein Suckow

1940 US Census - Sandy Precinct, Clackamas County, Oregon

June Elsie Gantenbein Suckow (1910-1995) was the oldest daughter of Fred Gantenbein and Fanny Greenwell.  She married Milton Suckow and had four children.  She and her cousin, Margaret Upton Waning, carried on a lively correspondence and visited each other regularly.  In 1940 the family lived in the Sandy Precinct of Clackamas County.  They owned their home and Milton operated logging equipment.   

Trip to Spokane - 1956- Part 4

In late September / early October 1956 Margaret Waning travelled from Eugene, OR to Spokane, WA for a Girl Scout Leaders Conference. 

Girls Scout Leaders Financial Guide

"October 2 - 1956

Dearest Jim, Barbie, Sandie, Connie, and Tiny -

It's just eight o'clock Thursday morn - Everybody is up & I've had my bath - I got up first cause I'm used to it I was awake anyway - have on my Scout uniform - just beautiful?  We got in at six last night after a good trip from The Dalles.  Keo(1) & Mrs Howard had never been this way - so we stopped at the Stone(2) Henge (sic) also Celilo(3) - the Indians are still fishing though it was early about 7:30 so not too many out.  We had breakfast in Golendale(4)(sic) - and lunch at Euphrata about 2.  The gals went shopping & lunched while I visited with June(5).  I saw Curtis(6)  (Corkey) too.  He's working in the same building as his Mom - looks fine - I couldn't tell he had anything the..."  

Envelope of letter mailed 2 Oct 1956

"...matter with him - tho' June said he did limp a little as his big toe is paralyzed.  Also a shoulder muscle is weak.  He was in the hospital from last Thanksgiving until after New Year's.  June said the rest of the family O.K.  Tho' I was surprised to hear her say Milton(7) is about ready to sell everything and get out of the farming business.  They didn't get any of their crops harvested a year ago as they got an early snow that didn't melt until April.  June, Judy & little boys had been over in Seattle early in the summer to see Helen & Earl(8).  Earl showed the boys a wonderful time - June said "just like Jim did when they were at our house."  

Well everybody is ready for breakfast so I'll say good-bye & Love to you all -

Mom".

1 One of Margaret's dearest friends for over 5o years - Keo Burcham

2 Sam Hill of "What the Sam Hill!" fame - built a full sized replica of Stonehenge in Maryhill, WA

3 Celilo Falls - In 1957 The Dalles dam engulfed the centuries old Native American traditional fishing grounds. 

4 Goldendale, WA5 Margaret's cousin, June Gantenbein Suckow

6 Curtis Suckow - June's oldest son - caught polio in 1956 

7 June's husband - Milton Suckow

8 June's sister and brother-in-law

Polio - 1956

Polio was still a feared dread disease in 1956.

This is a letter from Margaret Upton Waning's cousin Helen Gantenbein.

By this point Helen was married to Earl (no last name known) and Helen's sister, June was married to Maurice Suckow.

Suckows and Waning Children - Madras, OR

I think this was a letter enclosed with a Christmas card.

"Dear Margaret and All --

We have so appreciated your letters - I'm a stinker for not answering.  Only person I know of that's worse is my sister.  I didn't hear from her for a good six months.  Then she had such bad news.  I suppose she has written you - but in case she hasn't - Curtis has Polio.  He is left with his upper arms paralyzed.  The expectation is that he can get back at least 80% of his muscle use.  He should be..."

"home from the hospital by now.  I talked to her Sun.  The rest of their family is O.K.  We had a heck of a summer.  Earl's back went bad on Father's day (a disk injury).  He spent the Fourth week end (plus) at home in bed then went to the hospital for 10 days July 7 - wore a brace till back to the hospital 5 days the last of Aug.  And in a cast for a month then a brace again.  He was much better 'till about two months ago, and now he is again in pain.  He is working - he did all summer between trips to the hospital - but he is miserable.  So you see why we couldn't make any plans for go to June's - or anything.  Earls' Dad is still the same - paralysed and blind.  Dianne, Clair and babies just stopped by to give us pictures of the babies and Santa.  Sure wish I could show them to you they are sooo cute.  Debbie is all..."  

"puckered up to cry - it's adorable!  We expect to have quite a Xmas with them - we enjoy them so much anyway.  This note sounds like the last rose of summer but in spite of our troubles we really are happy.  We would like so much to see you folks again.  I surely hope an other year we can make it.  Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Love Earl and Helen"



Cousins - Wanings and Suckows

Judy, Barbara, Sandy and Corkey

(and a couple of unidentified kids)

Madras, OR - about 1947