Elsie Vogel Answers Questions
Grandma Elsie’s Story: Elsie Lydia Lehecka Vogel
GRANDMA, WERE YOU BORN AROUND HERE?
Chicago, Illinois (County: Cook)
March 14, 1915
10:00 am Sunday morning at a mid-wife’s residence on 1447 Kedvale Avenue near 15th Street. The midwife’s name was Mrs. Krchov.
HOW BIG WERE YOU?
6 pounds, blue eyes
WHAT WAS YOUR WHOLE NAME? WHO DID THEY NAME YOU AFTER? WHY?
Elizabeth Lydia Lehecka. My mother (Albina Philomena Valenta Lehecka) liked the name Elsie, which is derived from Elizabeth. In Bohemian, my name would have been pronounced “Elishka Ludmilla Lehecka.”
WHEN DID YOU WALK AND TALK?
I was creeping at 6 months. I learned to walk at 14 months and 14 days. I cut my first tooth at age 4 months. Complete set at 22 months.
ANY OTHER FACTS?
At age 22 months, I knew my first prayer – the Angel Prayer. My first words were “tata” (which means “father” in Bohemian), “Mama,” “Lillie,” “spoon,” “toothpick,” “orange.”
ANYTHING SPECIAL HAPPEN?
I was baptized at Lourdes Church (Chicago) on April 11, 1915. Godparents: James and Ludmilla Peterman. Auntie was Mom’s sister and she was called Emma.
Moved to Pine City, MN on August 5, 1916. Then, one month later to Finlayson. Stayed there until 1920. Dad bought a store in Foley, MN. Started 1st grade there. Then 2nd grade in Sandstone. We moved back to Finlayson and I finished 8th grade there. Then we moved to Forest Lake, MN where I’ve spent most of the rest of my life.
WHO DID THEY SAY YOU LOOK LIKE? WHY?
My dad. I had his coloring and features. My mom had light brown hair and brown eyes.
WERE YOU THE YOUNGEST? ANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS?
I was 12 years old when my brother Thomas John Lehecka was born. He was born in Finlayson, MN. Baptized in Hinckley, MN.
MOTHER: Albina Philomena Valenta Lehecka
Birthplace: New Prague, MN
Date: November 1, 1887
FATHER: John Lehecka
Birthplace: Czechoslovakia
Date: June 24, 1888
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL………..
COULD YOU ROLLER SKATE? ICE SKATE? WHERE?
My Mom and Dad were excellent skiers and ice skaters – in Finlayson. We did both together. We use to ski down the “Hogsback” – a steep hill west of town. Families would skate on moonlit nights on a lake with a big bonfire on the shore. We used to catch rides on the sleighs and ride the runners out into the country. I loved to ski!! I roller-skated at the Pavilion in Forest Lake – never dreaming that sometime I would own it!
WHAT KIND OF GAMES DID YOU PLAY?
Pump-Pump Pull Away
Prisoners Base
One-O-Cat
Jacks
Baseball
Basketball – I was on the team in High School (I got three letters). I participated in the “Little 8 Track Meet” – won ribbons for 50-yard dash and 100-yard dash and relay.
DID YOU HAVE A TOOTH FAIRY?
No.
WHAT KIND OF BIRTHDAY PARTIES DID YOU HAVE? YOUR FAVORITES?
I always had a birthday party. I remember my first one in Foley when I was 6. When I was 14, Mom gave me a diamond ring. The stone was from her “Lovelier” that she got from Tony Benish before she got married to my dad. Mom gave a big dinner party for my 21st. I was going with Albin Fossum at that time.
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORTE TOYS? DID YOU HAVE A BICYCLE?
I loved my dolls. I had a beautiful one from Uncle Charlie. I loved to play “store.” My cousin, Jimmy, from Chicago and I would make mud pies to sell in our “bakery.” I wanted a bicycle so bad for my birthday and instead I got a “scooter.” Never did get a bike until I was 53 years old and my husband bought me a 3-speed Huffy for Mother’s Day.
DID YOU GET TO STAY UP TO WATCH TELEVISION? OR TO LISTEN TO YOUR TRANSISTOR RADIO?
In Finlayson, I took piano lessons. My teacher, Hazel Hoglund, owned a “crystal radio” and if we had a good lesson, she would let us listen to the “Children’s Hour.” We put on earphones and we could hear a story. The first TV we had was about 1952 and it was a 12” Black and White TV. No TV when I was little.
SCHOOL DAYS
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL, GRANDMA?
1st Grade – Foley, MN
2nd Grade – Sandstone, MN
3rd – 8th Grades – Finlayson, MN
High School years in Forest Lake MN. Graduated in 1932. 38 in class.
Thought I might like nursing. Went to St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Passed my probation. Went to the “U” spring quarter. Took organic and physiological chemistry, diabetics, etc. Decided I did not like nursing. Went to Globe Business College in St Paul, MN. Took Stenotype – owned my own machine (for court reporting).
HOW DID YOU GET TO SCHOOL?
We always walked to school in Foley, Sandstone, and Finlayson. In Finlayson where the snow was so deep, we all skied to school. We propped our skis up against the school. The winter before Tom was born (1926), we lived on a farm about a mile out of town (Dad had sold our house). I had to ride the school bus and the “country kids” were mean to me because I had been a “town kid.”
WHERE DID YOU GO ON VACATIONS, GRANDMA?
Mom and I used to ride the train to Chicago almost every summer. The winter I worked in Chicago I came back to Forest Lake on Christmas Eve. I carried a toy machine gun for my brother Tom.
DID YOU EVER GO FISHING OR CAMPING?
When I was 11 years old, Mom, Dad and I went on a camping trip to New York – so Dad could see once again where he lived. We had an umbrella tent. It was fun. Went to Coney Island, too. Mom discovered she was pregnant with Tom while on this trip. We were gone a greater share of the summer. Dad sold his store in Finlayson so we could go.
DID YOU USED TO GO TO THE FAIR OR CARNIVAL?
We used to go to the Pine County Fair in Pine City, MN. I entered “Peach and Pineapple” preserves and won first prize.
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