Bernard & Loraine Harrison Washburn

WASHBURN HARRISON MCKNIGHT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/15/2010 at 19:48:33

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Bernard and Loraine (Harrison) Washburn
By Loraine E Washburn

Bernard R Washburn was born 6 February 1923 on a farm known as the Parkhill place in Grange Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. He was the son of Jesse Washburn and Elsie McKnight. Except for about three years in Plymouth County as a small boy, his youth was spent on farms in Woodbury County near Hornick and Anthon, Iowa. He attended rural schools and the school at Owego, Iowa.

He served in the U S Army from January 10, 1946 until March 9, 1947, training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland as an artillery mechanic; he was then stationed on Luzon, Philippine Islands.

After his discharge he helped his father on the farm near Anthon, and later worked for Harrison Implement of Sioux City. After he was married in Sioux City on 21 April 1949 to Loraine Harrison, he was employed as a farm hand, first on the William Dorale farm near Lawton, and then for almost five years on the M R McNaughton farm near Lawton. One year the Washburn’s moved to Paullina, Iowa, where Bernard was employed by Cliff Hellman. While living here their son was born in a hospital in Cherokee, Iowa.

After 1955, Bernard worked at Armour and Company, in Sioux City, at Floyd Valley Packing, in Sioux City, at the lumber yard in Bronson, and on a bridge crew in Woodbury County. He helped construct two bridges on Highway 141. After this he was employed as a janitor for Lawton-Bronson High School for five years. In 1966 he was hired as an icing mixer by John Biscuit of Sioux City. This company later moved to North Sioux City and took the name of Interbake Foods. Bernard is still in their employee as an icing mixer.

Bernard is a member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Lawton, Iowa, and has served in many offices of the Voter’s Assembly. He is currently an Elder.

Loraine Elcy Harrison was born 23 February 1929 at Pemberton, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, the daughter of William and Emma (Wulf) Harrison. The family was in Minnesota about three years, and then returned to Woodbury County, where Loraine attended Banner NO. 1 and 2, and Lawton High School. Loraine has been a homemaker and a part time painter. She his a member of Bethel Lutheran Church at Lawton, serving at various times as organist, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. Loraine has been a member of the church since its organization.

Bernie and Loraine purchased the former Lou Jones home at 329 East Maple Street in 1957, and have resided there since.

Bernard and Loraine are parents of one son, Norman Ray Washburn, born 29 October 1953, at Cherokee, Iowa. He attended Lawton-Bronson School through both elementary and High School grades. He was active in music, track and basketball, and graduated in the top two per cent of his class. He was named a State of Iowa Scholar, and appeared in Who’s Who in American High Schools. He received two nominations to West Point Academy, but declined the nominations and joined the U S Air Force in June 1971 after graduation from high school. He trained in Texas and Illinois, and has since been stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota, as a member of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing, attaining the rank of Tech. Sergeant.

Norman was married 5 June 1971 at Moville, Iowa, to Cathy Ann Hay. She was born 21 January 1952, at Sioux City, the daughter of Harold and Mary (Gormally) Hay. Cathy was a 1970 graduate of Lawton-Bronson, and attended Western Iowa Tech. in Sioux City for several months.

Norman and Cathy purchased a home at Donnybrook, North Dakota, in 1978. They are both members of the dance band ‘Sure Fire’ which plays often in the their area. They also raise Cocker Spaniels for show and sale.

Norman and Cathy are parents of two children: Lorella Lee ‘Lori’, born 7 December 1971 at Urbana, Illinois; and Patricia Eilene ‘Tricia’, born 29 March 1973 at Minot, North Dakota.