Marriage InterruptedLaVerna returned to Schleswig, Iowa, to prepare for her wedding. Elmer came later, bringing his mother (Lela nee Berridge Ferguson) with him. I have in my possession a telegram he sent her that reads: "Dear LaVerna: Mother is coming with us. Leaving Wednesday afternoon driving straight through raining here. Love, Elmer." This meant that Elmer's mother was coming with them on their honeymoon! It became well known to my siblings and me that our mother and her mother-in-law did not particularly like each other. Knowing that makes the telltale wrinkles in the telegram amusing. It is obvious mother crumpled it up after reading the unwanted news only to think better of her actions, retrieve it from the trash, smooth it out and save it for posterity!
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Immanuel Lutheran Church, Schleswig, IA
Immanuel Lutheran Church was built by LaVerna's great uncle, August Schultz (brother of Herman, LaVerna's paternal grandfather). The cornerstone of the church was laid on 24 November 1912 and the final day of dedication came on 13 June 1913 (just a week before the death of August's wife, Hattie, and hers was the first funeral service to be held in the new church). This structure served its congregation until a larger church was built and dedicated in June 1951. In March 1952, the old Lutheran church was moved off its foundation to Ricketts, Iowa, 10 miles away where it was to be used by the St. Luke's congregation.
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27 December 1941
Saturday afternoon, December 27th, at 1:30 o'clock in a beautiful double ring ceremony at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Miss LaVerna Schultz became the bride of Elmer Ferguson. Promptly at the appointed hour, to the strains of Lohengrin's bridal chorus, played by Mrs. Ray Schmidt on the organ, the bridal party entered the church. Raymond Loeck and Reinhardt Gierstorf were the ushers and they came first, taking their places on either side of the aisle. They were followed by the junior bridesmaids, Joyce Schultz, sister of the bride, and Darlene Rix, cousin of the bride. They wore floor-length gowns of light blue taffeta, and carried colonial bouqets of pink Briarcliff roses, chrysanthemums and baby's breath. Next came the two bridesmaids, Lesetta Iversen, cousin of the bride, and Catherine Ferguson, sister of the bridegroom. They wore floor-length gowns of medium blue taffeta, with shoulder corsages and carried pink chiffon handkerchiefs. Miss Lenore Schultz, cousin of the bride, was the maid of honor. Her floor-length gown was a deeper shade of blue taffeta and she carried an arm bouquet of roses, chrysanthemums and baby's breath. Melvin Vaughn Ferguson was the best man, brother of the bridegroom. The bride entered on the arm of her father. She was dressed in a floor-length gown of white slipper satin with long sleeves and train, which she made herself, and wore her mother's wedding veil of 28 years ago. She carried a bouquet of roses, chrysanthemums and baby's breath, and her grandmother Schultz' handkerchief, 68 years old. Her only jewelry was a pearl necklace, a gift of the bridegroom. LaVerna loaned her wedding dress to her sister-in-law, Jane Ferguson, when she married Moe Gould. Janet (Ferguson) Wain now has possession of the dress and veil. I found a fern from LaVerna's wedding bouquet that she had pressed in her high school yearbook.
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He's in the Army Now
Many things interrupted Elmer and LaVerna's plans to begin a family soon after they were wed. Elmer was called to serve in the army. He received his induction order on 7 January 1943 and was to report to the local board at 5:15 pm, 17 January 1943. He was a Corporal in the 35th division, 137th Infantry Regiment. Elmer landed at Omaha Beach two weeks after D-Day. He was wounded on 3 August 1944 in Normandy, France. A piece of shrapnel hit him in the chest just missing his heart, passing through his chest and into his arm. Gangrene set in which necessitated the amputation of his arm. He was evacuated and ultimately sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. He was 27 years old. Elmer was moved to a military hospital closer to home, in Battle Creek, Michigan. LaVerna went to visit him several times over his recuperation period while his stump healed and he underwent occupational therapy and learned how to use an artificial arm. Sometimes he would get leave to come home. LaVerna worked for the King-Seeley Corporation in Ann Arbor. The company was awarded the U.S. Navy "E" pennant for production achievement, traditionally the highest honor of the U.S. Navy. There was a program of presentation at Hill Auditorium for the employees at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 12 May 1942. LaVerna also worked for the bomber plant in Detroit. Both LaVerna and Elmer were involved with the Washtenaw County chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. Elmer was elected and installed as Commander of the DAV in 1949. In 1950, LaVerna was elected and installed as Commander of the DAV Auxiliary. 3D Animated Flags--By 3DFlags.com Or click on one of the following: [Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 6] [Page 7] [Page 8] |
