"October 9, 2000
"Dear Rae
"Thank you so very much for a copy of my grandfather's homestead deed.
I find it most interesting and can relate to a great deal of it through what my father told me about the history of
the family.
"My father, who was the youngest of a family of ten, all worked hard to
build a home, and clear land for farming. They manufactured their own entertainment and enjoyed life a great deal more than
we do with all of our conveniences and comforts. My father, whose name is George, spent 8 months in France in
World War I. He was 75 when he died in 1970. My mother, whose name was Mary Doyle, came from Wisconsin. She died at 51
in 1942. I have 1 brother and 3 sisters and we all live in the Foley area.
"We are enjoying beautiful fall weather. However it is very dry and we
do need rain badly. . . . .
"My wife, Mary Joyce, and I live south of Foley, and we have one son.
His name is Conan. I taught senior high school for 34 years and enjoyed it very much and retired at 55. My wife
worked in the Chancery office in St. Cloud, where she worked for the Bishop for 20 years. She is also retired. . . . .
"Enclosed you will find a picture of Mary Joyce and unsmiling me. God bless
you.
"Sincerely,"
Mary Joyce Balder (née Klinek) and Clifford Balder.
Written on back of photo: "Mary Joyce and An unsmiling me."
Written on back of photo: "Mary Joyce and An unsmiling me."
