When our George D. Wenke and Mary Beutel Wenke traveled to start a new life in Nebraska, George’s sister Meta, and her family, husband Henry and children Katie, Bertha, Bernard and Karl went with them.  After George’s death, Mary returned to Peoria with her children Rena, John, Otto and our Anna to be near her family.  But that didn’t mean the Nebraska family was forgotten.  

Here we have Bernard and his wife Tressie.    Bernard was born June 15, 1887 in Guiderock, Nebraska.  The 1930 census lists him as an assistant cashier at a bank and we have a photo taken with his sister Katie which confirms this.  I’m not sure when he and Tressie married, as I can find no marriage date.  Records show that they had 2 children, Kathleen born about 1919 and Francis “Bud” born September 8, 1927.  And on his obituary his name is spelled Wickman! I wonder how and why they changed it from the the original spelling?

I just love these photos.  Taken to be side by side.  Together always.  I imagine that perhaps they were taken for their engagement or perhaps on their marriage.  Based on the style of her hair and dress I would estimate the photos were taken in the between 1915 and 1920.  

Bernard died September 6, 1966 and Tressie died December 12, 1996.  They are buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Jewell County, Kansas.    Jewell is just 17 miles straight south from Guiderock.  

I’m not sure who’s writing is up above, but it could be that of our Jean Jorden.  As I go through all the different family photographs I’m constantly struck by how, one person will write on the photos who’s in it, what they were doing the date, etc.  And another person will write nothing.  PSA for today is always write who the subjects of your photos are so that not only you can enjoy the photos but any who come after you can as well.