The Homes (Life at the Homes): Recent Episodes
Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell.
The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content.
Welcome to December of 1929! Iowans were fascinated by a newspaper's weekly installments of a fictional story about a young woman named Jean Marie. The questions asked and the responses of readers give insight into the controversial topics of the day. At the Homes, Baby Frieda finds a family and the elderly residents take care of the medical needs of one of their own. Learn more about the health care of the children - tonsil operations, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever - just to name a few and also hear information about their vaccination process. Despite all the distractions of every day life, Christmas was in the air and Rev. Klein was asking for donations, large and small. He appreciated even the smallest donations because, as he wrote, "As always, the poor are the best friends of the poor because they know how bitter poverty is." The stories of Christmas are wonderful and, at the end of year, we reflect on the New Year's resolutions from January.
Barbara Fritschel joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's oldest daughter Sammy and she and her brother Curt visited their grandparents often when the Kleins lived on the 2nd floor of the Home for the Aged. Barb and one of the orphan girls became friends and Barb was allowed to spend the night in the girls' dormitory. On one occasion, she also got in a bit of trouble. Listen to find out what happened.
Rev. William Thalacker joins us for Guest in the Homes. He is the son of the Klein's daughter Erna and was named after his grandfather William Klein. He shares his recollections of his grandparents and his visits to the Homes. He provides insight into what Rev. Klein may have experienced as a German Lutheran pastor. Rev. Thalacker also shares recollections of his time on the Board of the Homes during the 1960s.
Ruth Nelson joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's daughter Erna and she shares her recollections of her visits to the Homes and also of her grandparents and mother. She recalls the stories of the Klein's time in North Dakota and also what happened when her grandfather brought home his first (and only) automobile.
Welcome to November of 1929! November begins with a birthday celebration for Mrs. Klein and a little girl from Muscatine. Financial woes continue and the threat of foreclosure hangs over every aspect of life on Burlington Road. But there are happy times, too, as Thanksgiving is celebrated. We also learn about weddings at the Homes. Do you know what a charavari is? Join us to find out.
Podcast guest Rev. Paul Ostrem is the former pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Muscatine. Zion's history and the history the Homes have been intertwined since the very beginning. Rev. Ostrem talks about his research involving Pastor John Haefner that culminated in a book entitled "Dennoch!" Pastor Haefner's triumphs and struggles within the Muscatine community provide valuable insight into what it meant to be a U.S. citizen of German descent in the period before and after World War I. The episode closes with a lovely recollection of a visitor he spoke with in the little cemetery on the hill at the Homes. If you want to purchase a copy of "Dennoch!" you can contact us at lifeatthehomes@gmail.com and we will connect you with Rev. Ostrem.
Podcast guest Coby Budridge talks about her family's journey to the Homes. Her father and aunt were residents of the orphanage as children and learn how Coby uncovered their story and her family's history.
Welcome to October of 1929! As the month begins, aviation advances continue to be made around the the world but, at the Homes, they are welcoming visitors and preparing for a long winter. Money woes continue and in asking for money to pay the debt, the newsletter urged: "The more debts we pay, the sooner we will be able to banish the wolf of interests which is now unbidden eating the food of the children." A brother and sister who grew up at the Homes come back for a visit and the girls move into the new dormitory. Readers of the Muscatine newspaper are interested in the plight of 2 children who are placed at the Homes after being cared for by an infamous Muscatine resident. The end of the month brings Black Thursday and Black Tuesday but also a Halloween celebration.
Welcome to September of 1929! Newspapers around the world are analyzing President Hoover's first 6 months in office and the stock market takes an ominous tumble. On Burlington Road, everyone at the Homes is making final preparations as they build a sufficient food store for winter. Professor Ziegler, the director of the Orphans' Band, shares some of the challenges and joys of this special activity for the children. One of the former band members has a serious health issue that leads to a heartfelt plea in the newsletter. As the school on the hill starts, you'll hear how the Homes became the center of a court case in front of the Iowa Supreme Court.
Welcome to August of 1929! So much in the world has changed since the children, the elderly, the workers, and the Kleins were living down on Burlington Road as shown by the August newspapers being filled with aviation news and comments by Thomas Edison. Even though the Homes' newsletter gives only a brief mention of the orphans' surprise contact with early Iowa aviation, you'll hear the fascinating background about how it was possible for them to take to the skies. There is also a delightful story of the old men going on a fishing trip.
Welcome to May of 1929! The month starts with news of tariffs and also the reemergence of the 17 year cicadas. The newspaper in May contained an article about one of the elderly residents of the Homes. He had been the Sheriff of Muscatine County in 1893 and we learn about the Saloon Wars and its shocking result. There is also a delightful story of a fun afternoon for the children.
Welcome to June of 1929! June bring Orphan's Fest - the largest event of the year at the Homes. Visitors come from far and wide for worship and fellowship and to see the Homes. They need good weather and good publicity to make the event a success. Having as many visitors as possible was especially important this year because they would be dedicating the new building and more visitors meant more donations. Will Orphan's Day be a success?! Listen and find out.
Welcome to July of 1929! In July, President Hoover tasked a committee of experts to study the health and protection of children. He was an orphan himself and the New York Times speculated that "it is not too early to predict that whatever else he does, he will be remembered above all for what he has done for the children of the world." The workers and residents were ready to celebrate the 4th of July. The clubs and organizations of Muscatine were always ready to make sure the children had special moments. In July, we share how the elderly residents pitch in to help and also the tragic story of Rev. Julius Doden.
Welcome to April of 1929! Muscatine is celebrating April Fool's Day and one of the old folks at the Homes pulls a prank that makes the front page of the newspaper. Who is he and why do we want to know more about him? The April newsletter contains a statement regarding Jewish people and instead of ignoring it we wanted to talk about it. Thank you to our guest Dr. Terry Lindell who shared his expertise with us. April closes with an account of what life was like at the Homes on a typical Sunday.
Welcome to March of 1929! The people of Iowa are excited for the inauguration of a new U.S. President. Herbert Hoover was born just up the road in West Branch. Financial troubles continue in March and calls for bigger donations continue. There is also concern about the Messenger newsletter not paying for itself. The newsletter is a vital pipeline to supporters and they ask for cash and also specific donations like phonograph records and Easter eggs. The newspapers of 1929 had lots of contests for readers to participate in. One contest might surprise you but is a reflection of how important a certain occupation was.
Welcome to February of 1929! Similar to today, February brings talk of the groundhog and people wondering whether he will see his shadow. Unlike today, the Homes' newsletter shares personal information about the children and the old folks.
The February episode has the special story of one of the most important people in the Homes history - Miss Louise Wittig. Her life and life's work is recounted and the heartfelt testimonials to her in the newsletter show us how she inspired those around her. Here are two of our favorite quotes about Miss WIttig: "She did not get rich in this world’s goods but she was rich in friends. She learned to gather riches where neither rust nor moths may destroy them." "We are confident that God has given her her reward. What she has done, even the apparently insignificant things, is recorded in the book of life and in the hearts of the children."
Welcome to January of 1929! Rev. and Mrs. Klein and their family have been at the Homes for 7 years. Their youngest daughter Em was just 9 months old when they moved to Muscatine in 1921 and her recollections provide important insight into everyday life.
The monthly newsletter called the Messenger kept individuals and organizations updated on the needs of the Homes. January's newsletter was full of New Year's resolutions -- were people in 1929 any different than the people of today?
As the new year begins, the Homes was feeling the heavy burden of repaying the debt on the new girls' dormitory.
Welcome to the Homes! In Episode 1, you meet Rev. William Klein, his wife Emma, and their 5 children. In 1921, the Kleins moved from the plains of North Dakota to the bustling river town of Muscatine, Iowa, to take over the leadership of the Homes. For the next 20 years, the Kleins and a small group of workers dedicated their lives to turning an institution into a home for hundreds of children and elderly residents.
Mother and son Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell (the Kleins' great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson) share how and why they started on this journey. Join them as we begin our journey through the year 1929.