Gertrude Hansmeier's HS textbook, 1918/1919

Gertrude Ruth Hansmeier wrote many notes, poems and jokes in the margins and blank pages of her textbook. Gertrude was born in 1905 and graduated from Waukon High School in 1922. She married Leo Colvin (son of Frank Colvin), had children, and is buried with her husband in Oakland cemetery, 1920 Addition, Lot 119. The family lived in Elkader, where Leo was a service station attendant (1930 US census). Following her husband's death from a heart attack in March 1947, Gertrude ran the Bridge Café in Elkader

Below are a few of the pages from her textbook.

If this book should chance to roam. Poke its face & send it home. Gertrude Hansmeier & Carl Stock Gertrude Hansmeier Freshman 1918-1919 Second Semester

Glenn Davis the boy that never smiles. Marion Stock, Waukon, Ia. A Friend of Gertrude Hansmeiers. Not a friend, an enemy. 3 people had to stay after ---

On one of the pages in the textbook Gertrude wrote a Roll Call. She crossed out two of the names for an unknown reason.

Roll Call

Leg White
Alice Collins
Margaret Unceth
Edna Jacobson
Gertrude Hansmeier
John Quillan
Helen McClintock
Bernice Stock
Thelma Hermanson
Hazel Seim
Rudolph Pladsen
Thelma Decker
Louisa Ast*
Theodore Smehy
Arthur Rickansrud, Gertrude's guy
Ralph Martin
Graltan O'brien
Gladys Thomson

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~The surname Ast is a 'best guess'
~contributed by Aradia Paganus, owner of the textbook. Aradia would like to return this textbook to Gertrude Hansmeier's family. Click here to read her message & for her email.

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