Lloyd Lawrence Fosseen - "Hi There" by Irene Gogerty

The South Hardin Signal Review
January 20, 1993
"Hi There" by Irene Gogerty

My sympathy to the friends and family of Lloyd Fosseen and in the context of the Fosseen family, may I share a memory with you?

My family moved to a rented farm, 2 miles north of Radcliffe, during a late February, from a similar situation north of Ellsworth.

We knew no one in the neighborhood and I will hastily add- that situation changed because the friends and neighgbors we acquired were simply wonderful! The Fosseens were the first.

We'd been there, maybe a month or six weeks, when we received an invitation from Mrs. Fosseen (Lloyd's mother) to come to supper on a specified night. We were impressed! An invitation to a meal and it wasn't even Sunday!

The Fosseens lived in a handsome new house. Spacious and very, very nice. My memory may be faulty here, but I seem to recall polished, hardwood floors throughout - an open staircase - indoor souce of hot and cold water, electricity - a Delco system provided the later. (I could not begin to explain what that was except I remember a goodly number of batteries in the basement).

There were built-ins, and all sorts of storage space, plus a full, dry, very adequate basement. Bedrooms, up and down.

The wonderful thing about the family was their kindness, their acceptance of others and their generosity.

On that early spring evening, we arrived at Fosseens and were ushered in and made welcome. The dining table was extended to seat most everyone. A snowy white table cloth and great bowls of steaming food - platters of pork chops and I'm sure there were apple pickles!

The atmosphere was congenial - Mr. Fosseen was a most charming man with a wry sense of fun and a most gentle teasing manner. His wife was witty and interested in all of us and truly a perfect image of a farm wife and mother.

It was a delightful evening, the first of ever so many that followed during the 5 years of our residency.

The first radio program I ever heard was in the Fosseen living room on an Atwater Kent radio - we listened to Iowa Barn Dance Frolic - WHO!

The Fosseen brothers were all living at home then and their domain in the evenings after chores was the basement. A real clubhouse - one in which neighbor boys were welcomed.

It seemed to me there was always something interesting happening at Fosseens. I know it was great fun to go there and I spent many a night as a guest of a daughter, Ruth. I think I had a crush on brother Carl! I was fond of the entire family and am grateful for the part they played in my young life.