Constance spiekemier

1. Constance spiekemier

2. Constance was born on October 30, 1930, in Fargo, North Dakota. Her family consisted of her father, Laurence Kaspari, his job was an agriculture farmer and had a postal job. Her mother, Virgie Kaspari , was a clerk in a hardware store and she also worked raising her children; Constance, Gertrude and Pat.

3. The recession affected Constance’s family in the 1927’s. They lived off of the farm as much as they could. There was a major drought which affected livestock and fields by limiting the ability to progress.

4. As a teenager, she worked for a farmer by cleaning and taking care of their children. She made enough money to buy a down winter jacket. As a farmer, she raised chickens, canned and gardened. She also raised 7 children. Eventually earning enough money to buy a $200 dishwasher.

5. Constance went to a county school with grades 1-8; one teacher for all grades. She went to 4 years of high school in Sheldon, North Dakota. She wasn’t disciplined, because she felt guilty if someone wasn’t pleased with what she was doing. She grew up in a rural community.

6. She didn’t collect anything, but did read a lot of books. She liked to embroider, sew, play cards and loved riding her bicycle. Her favorite candy was “Nut Good” candy bar. She liked Jack Benny, Red Skelton, cribbage and hiking.

7. Most of the information about current events she learned through school. Her dad did talk about politics a little bit. She didn’t have much interest in politics. They didn’t talk about equal rights. Where they lived, there weren’t any other races other than white around.

8. The family once went on a vacation to Oregon. They used to have picnics at the Behrens Farm and would drive their car into the river to wash it. We lived in a big square, 4 bedroom farmhouse. This was our second house which I really liked since I was able to have my own bedroom.

9. My sister Pat, went to college to be a nurse. I graduated from high school and became a master gardener.