Verle Kellstrom- matriarch of Skandia

"Aunt" Verle Kellstrom (Rudy Hanson's 1st cousin) - as told to Dar Hanson:

Today is October 28th, 2011- Auntie Verle's 87th birthday! She is the daughter of Ida Fredrickson-Hanson and granddaughter of Kristina Hanson.

Verle lives now in Palm Springs, California with her daughter and son-in-law. Her son and family are also close by in Laguna Beach.

Verle was reluctant to leave her dear Skandia having lived there all her life- and in the same house (with attached post office) her father built. Here's a pic of her house there in Skandia.

After her husband Howard died she had a long time boyfriend named George-a dutiful suitor (see photo below) and also like Verle, a highly valued member of the community. When he passed away she decided it was time to pack up all those memories and head west.

Reminiscing from what her mother told her, today she recalled the story of her being born in 1924 in that house in what was then the "music" room- delivered by her own grandmother Kristina Hanson- it was said Verle's younger sister Gloria was the last baby Kristina delivered before she retired (at the ripe old age of 70) from being the midwife of Skandia, Michigan.
My Uncle Robert Hanson (Rudy's little brother) is friends with the new owner and works on his vintage autos in the "car barn" on Verles old property.

Verle was very much the matriarch of her community (having served as postmaster too) and is still much sought after when she visits "little shag lake" (near Glen Hanson's old "camp") in the summertime.

Here's Verle with Judge Judy (Larry King in backround)

Below singer, Jerry Vale with Verle. Both pictures taken in Palm Springs.