Photo and commentary courtesy Jackie Gander Deets.  

Harvey Joe and Sue Cole Gander, married June of 1941.  Harvey had bought the little farm on top of the hill.  After Pearl Harbor, and war was declared, Harvey and Sue went to California to work in the defense industry.  Harvey's mechanical skills were a real asset.  We never knew exactly what Sue did - both put in long hours every day.  When it was over, they came home to their little farm.  They had no their own.  As the years went by they took neglected children - children of parents who could not care for them.  In all, they had a family of eight children, none adopted, that they fed, clothed and kept in school!  In later years, as mother and dad grew older, it was always Sue and Harvey who were always "there" for them.  In 1973, Harvey's clothing got caught in the power takeoff of the tractor.  Fortunately someone was there to shut off the tractor.  Harvey had serious injuries from which he never fully recovered.  He died of a heart attack on Nov 27, 1973.  Sue still had some of the eight at home.  Sue was a courageous woman and never stopped giving of herself.

Photo and commentary courtesy Jackie Gander Deets.  

Sue Gander, on her birthday, April 12, 1988 with Veronica Gander.  Alzheimer's was taking its toll.  Knowing the life she had led, and all the good she had done in her lifetime, it was truly hard to see her thus.  Sue went to her rest on August 5th, 1988. I loved her dearly.  We all did. 

Photo and commentary courtesy Jackie Gander Deets.