The Ogle County Life
Oregon, Illinois
Friday, March 20th, 2009

MT. MORRIS — World War II brought a lot of couples together and my parents, Jim COULTHARD and Lora BROSCPE, was one of them. One fall night in 1943, a young soldier from Iowa, now stationed at Millikan University in the Army Air Corp, decided to go have a pine float (translated as a toothpick in water) at the Blue Mill Restaurant.

A beautiful blonde waited on him and the rest is history.

Jim was sent to Denver, Co., and Lora joined him and on April 1, 1944 they were married. After Jim was discharged from the military they moved to Gravity, and then Mt. Ayr, Iowa, where their family of six children started. Jim farmed with his father until 1965. Lora started her nursing career as a nurseÕs aid at the local community hospital.

In 1965 the family moved to Decatur [IL], where my Jim worked for Sears and Lora worked for Decatur Memorial Hospital, and went to nursing school. In 1967 she graduated as an LPN.

In 1967 the family moved to Kankakee, where Jim was a supervisor at the Joliet Arsenal and Lora also worked there in the First Aid office.

In 1971 they ventured to Babcock, Wis., where they founded the Spotted Mule Wilderness Campground. While developing the campground Jim worked for Pittsville Homes. Lora took her nursing expertise to Bethel Convalescent Nursing Home in Arpin, Wis.

In 1977 and 1984 they took in their parents and cared for them until their deaths. Everyone should be cared for as they cared for them, making their last years safe, comfortable and healthy.

In the 1980's, once or twice a year, they would rent Camp Rotomer in Janesville, Wis., inviting family and friends to come and spend time with them. There were plenty of boat races, campfires, swimming, singing, and never to be forgotten mom's homemade cinnamon rolls.

In 1992 they took their first trip to Alaska in their self contained small Toyota camper. They went to Nancy Lake State Park, Palmer, to become host and hostess for the summer. Did I mention they volunteered to do this? It consisted of living in the camper, hauling water and fire wood, fighting off a lot of mosquitoes, helping build a cabin and greeting campers. One summer their campsite was within minutes of the really huge forest fire. There were many events that happened along the way that they had not counted on. Yet, instead of letting it frustrate them, they saw them as an adventure they hadnÕt thought of planning. For example, like sleeping on the floor in the airport waiting for a flight. They were blessed with five trips to Alaska having had a great time and made many wonderful lifelong friends.

They lived in Mt. Morris, for several years and then to St. Paul, Minn., for a few more. They now are back in Mt. Morris celebrating both of their 85th birthdays and their 65th wedding anniversary.

Throughout these 65 years together they have six children, 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Their children are having an open house celebration on April 4 at the Community of Christ Church, 5655 Union School Road, Decatur, at 10 a.m.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2009