Memories of Helping Grandma Getting Lunch to the Field

Memories of Helping Grandma Getting Lunch to the Field

by Donna Fennewald

"In the summer, mom  would send me "over the hill"  to Grandma's to help her with house work.  Uncle Paul and Uncle Hubert spent many hours in the fields, using "horsepower" and manual labor.  Hard work necessitated people ate 3 main meals (breakfast, dinner, and supper) and a mid-morning and mid-afternoon lunch.  For lunch, Grandma would pack up lard sandwiches,  sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar - on fresh slices of home-made bread, and send them out to the field where the men were working.  She also sent a glass jar of coffee and her soft cookies to round out the lunch. I would walk the lunch pail out to the field where they would be working, and they would stop work to eat lunch.  When I wasn't there, Uncle Hubert would come to the house and get the lunch.  

It seems Clara Sidney may have helped me with getting the lunch out to the field on some occasions."

Donna

 

Groner Family Info from AI

 

Paul Groner Family info from AI Search:

Paul John Groner (born May 1883 in Missouri, often listed as circa 1883–1884; died 1957) was from the St. Elizabeth / Saint Anthony area in Miller County, Missouri. He married Clara Mary Evers (1886–1973), and they raised a large family there, with children born in places like Teal and Saint Anthony in Miller County (e.g., Theresa in 1908, Caroline in 1919, and a son Paul Jr. in 1925). 

The family relocated to the Berger / Etlah / Boeuf Township area in Franklin County, Missouri, in 1936. This is documented in local histories and family accounts: Paul Jr. (born 1925 in St. Elizabeth) moved with his parents (Paul Sr. and Clara) and most siblings to Etlah in Franklin County that year. The family is later associated with Berger in Franklin County (e.g., burials in Saint Pauls Catholic Cemetery). 

This fits census patterns showing the family in Miller County earlier (e.g., 1910–1930) and in Franklin County (Boeuf Township) by 1940. 

Note that there were multiple Paul Groners across generations in the family, but the 1883 birth date matches the patriarch who moved with the family. Exact details like the precise month/day in 1936 aren’t widely published in public sources.

One Last Gathering at the Groner Homestead

 

One Last Gathering at the Groner Homestead

 

Who doesn’t remember family gatherings at Grandma and Grandpa Groner’s place, when we were kids, on a Saturday or Sunday?  Life is full of change, and we all grow up, and some move away, have our own families, and grow old.  Yet no one can take those good memories from us.

Let’s meet for one last time at the Groner homestead, while we still can.

When:  Saturday, June 27, 2026   Come early and stay late.  Will eat by 1 P.M.

We will have grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and fried fish.  Bring a side dish if you want, or not…….

Drinks (lemonade and water) will be provided, and all table-ware will be provided.  Bring a chair or use the straw bales provided.

RSVP to Donna Fennewald at (502) 553-0251

Drinking Coffee from a Saucer

 Grandpa Paul Groner died when I was but 6 years old, but I have distinct memories of sitting at the kitchen table at their house and watching him drink his coffee from a saucer.  This poem reminded me of him:

Drinking from My Saucer

by John Paul Moore

I’ve never made a fortune and it’s probably too late now.

But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.

And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

I don’t have a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough.

But I’ve got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, ’cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, and my faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and rough.

I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads.

Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

Additional Images of the Groner Family through the Years

Here are a couple of images from old photos, of the Groner family, to include Grandpa Paul, Grandma Clair, and the kids and their spouses.  

This first one is of Grandpa Paul and Grandma Clair and grandkids.

This next one is of the Groner siblings and their spouses

And this one is of Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkids.

Memories and Thoughts of JP Schwieterman

 Below are some memories and thoughts of JP Schwieterman (Sidney's son), along with some photos and context for the images.

I think these are some to the earliest photos of Uncle Paul, Uncle Hubert, mom (Sidney Reed) and me (JP Schwieterman) on the farm.  I think I was 3 years old….  Pictures help record the good times.  

Uncle Hubert had brought out the baby chicks and I was quite curious about these lil guys.  Hearing Uncle Huberts laugh was golden and made everyone’s day…. Especially mine.   

Uncle Paul always had me working on this or that and I loved it.  I’d follow him where ever he went…   He was my best friend. 

Here we are with his favorite pastime working with his horses.

  

One of my favorite times in life was the summer after High School graduation where I spent a few months with Uncle Paul and Uncle Hubert.  

Making Uncle Paul and Uncle Hubert laugh was a must.  Teasing Uncle Paul and and hearing Uncle Hubert wheeze-laugh was one of my favorite things to do…. Or if Uncle Paul was being “grummly” (Uncle Paul word) I’d tease him; Uncle Hubert would start wheeze-laughing and soon after Uncle Paul would lighten the mood with his laughter and his good natured deemer would return...  It all worked perfectly.  Yes, Those were definitely my favorite times. 

   

This was taken that High School summer of 1992 at Uncle Henry’s farm, if I remember correctly.  It was definitely a special occasion when Henry fired up the ol’ steam engines.  From left to right: Paul Groner, Hubert Groner, JP Schwieterman, Henry Groner

If Uncle Paul wasn’t with the horses, he was with the tractors…. …or…

 

… or with family.  

Uncle Hubert, Clare “Babe” Everdon, Uncle Paul 

Paul Fennewald and Uncle Paul

Benedict and Anna Groner would’ve been proud of their family.  I hope we measure up to them in some way….

I know we’ll see them again some day… 

…and it’ll be a good day. 

Images from Uncle Paul's Funeral

 Some images that captures the day of Uncle Paul's funeral.  Credit to John Wilding for the photos......