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Note: Lena Elizabeth (Hatch) Thompson was born June 27th 1906 in Moab, Utah and died on June 21, 2002 in Aurora, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lena (Edmunds) and Jeremiah Ricie Hatch. The granddaughter of Elizabeth (Winn) and Jeremiah Hatch, also Emma (Tempest) and John Moroni Edmunds.
Lena was the oldest of four children, her sister named Emma Aldura who was two years younger and two brothers, Jeddy Leroy and Orrin Moroni both died as babies.
Some of Lena's fond childhood memories are climbing hills, having picnics, picking pinion nuts, playing dolls and make believe. Lena was taught to read by her mother by age five. When she started school she could read at the 3rd grade level.
The Hatch family resided in Gateway Colorado up until her mother's untimely death in 1912 when Lena was only 5 years old.
Jeremiah took his daughters to Taft, Utah to live with his family while he obtained work. Lena remembers Grandma's wonderful sugar cookies which she often ate raw, and fresh peas eaten out of the garden. She recalls showing off that she at the young age of seven could wash dishes. Much to her surprise it became one of her duties. They lived with their grandparents until Lena was twelve years old. Then they lived two years with their uncle Roy and aunt Martha.
Lena's life was rugged. At age fourteen, she and Emma took on the responsibilities of caring for themselves, a log cabin homestead and livestock. The livestock consisted of a team of horses, five cows, chickens, and a pig. They did this for months on end while their father was away working. She enjoyed reading story books to Emma and the neighbor kids, riding horses and attending dances.
At age 16, Lena married Jesse Almond Thompson. they worked for ranchers or wherever they could find work, Lena mainly cooked for the hungry cowboys. On March 14th 1924, a beautiful baby girl was born to them, which they named Hilma Ray.
At age 21, Lena was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
When Hilma became very sick, Lena requested a Priesthood blessing for the child and watched as her daughter was healed within minutes. Lena gained a strong testimony from this experience because she know without a doubt that Jesus Christ loves and lives and has power beyond comprehension.
After a few years problems arose and the marriage ended in divorce. Lena later married James Marion Thompson. They lived in Utah for a few years doing various jobs.
A handsome son was born to them on January 31st 1935 who they named James Glen.
While reading the Western Farm Life paper, there was an ad which caught their eyes...
"Come to northern Minnesota where there's never been a drought, there's never been a flood, and there's never been a tornado. Where alfalfa is King and clover is a weed."
The picture of Bill Rulien standing hip high in clover was very convincing.
The Thompson family decided that was the place to be, so they sold all their lands and properties. On March 17th 1936 they left Utah with hopes and dreams for their new life in Minnesota. They drove in their 1934 Ford 2-door with just a few possessions...clothes, pots, pans, dishes and $500.00.
They purchased the Peck place south of Graceton, which consisted of a small cabin on approximately six open acres and the remaining 154 acres was woods or swamp. Lena recalls mud in the spring and fall, swarms of blood-thirsty mosquitoes in summer. Also being snowed in in the winter at -30 degrees F below temperatures. That was darn cold.
They traded the '34 Ford to Joe Fereson for a 1926 Model T Ford, four cows, three pigs, twelve laying hens plus $50.00 cash.
They purchased 500 chicks which became their mainstay. James constructed a nice coop which they kept heated all winter for the chickens. As the roosters grew they were good eating and many were sold by Alfred Muggli. The money from the sales went straight into buying more chicken feed. The eggs were sold for as little as 6 cents a dozen, to as much as 50 cents a dozen. Lena always gave her chickens what they wanted and they rewarded her with more eggs.
While living on the old Peck place, they raised a large garden, had livestock and picked wild berries. They sold rooster, eggs, cream, beef, blueberries, and pulp for what money they could get. many times Him O'Brian helped them in their times of great need.
This was during the Great Depression. It was very hard for everyone, but especially for the Thompsons who were foreign to the climate, land and lifestyle. Jobs were difficult to find, but eventually James got hired by C.E. Meikle for 25 cents an hour. Lena was later hired at 17 cents an hour.
On May 4th 1939 a beautiful baby girl was born. She was later named Dian Genevieve.
In 1940 they moved to a new property in Patoma township 8 miles south of Williams. It had been purchase at a land sale August 1937. Lena being the highest bidder of $100.00.
The family built a 14x26, two-room log cabin. They continued to work various jobs, kept livestock and a large garden and picked berries. lena also sewed many clothes, tablecloths and towels from flour and mash sacks. She has also done embroideing, tatting, crocheting and made numerous quilts.
On April 24th 1942 another handsome son was born name Clifford Jed. The older children were attending school. Hilma married Leonard Wadena and moved to Warroad.
A sweet granddaughter named Josephine Elizabeth was born on September 1st 1944. Lena was a grandmother.
Life continued as it had been...raising a family, taking care of the home, garden, livestock and working hobs when available. Chickens were still the main source of support.
On February 13th 1946, Lena's youngest handsome son was born, Douglas Franklin.
After years of marriage, problems arose and later ended in divorce. In 1953 Lena purchased a home one mile east, 1/2 mile south of Williams.
Lena worked various potato jobs for Meikles, Sorrels, Petersons, and Eiseles.
She later married Arthur Thayer, but this relationship lasted a very short time.
She worked as a pastry cook for Roy Sorrels in the Willy Walleye cafe, also for Myra Sorenson.
She owned her own cafe from 1962-1964, had a good business and had many Baudete students hooked on her taffy.
She went to Utah in 1964 while Doug attended Brigham Young University. She was employed there as a pastry cook also. while in Provo she also took a few courses at BYU in English, Journalism and Drivers Ed.
In 1967 she began working for Marvin Windows in the glazing department. Close friends there were Susan Geiger and Irene Qualley. She worked there until May 7th, 1977 and retired at age 73.
Lena spent her retired years reading, gardening, and traveling to visit with her children, grand-children, and great-grand-children. Her memory will be kept in the hearts of all of those who loved her.
Rest in peace, Lena.
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