Arletta Johnson Meysembourg and Mitten are enjoying retirement together.

NIAGARA, Wis. — I wrote my first column for the Feb. 9 issue of The Daily News. In that, I explained the new direction it would take and how all of us “of a certain age” are on a journey called Retirement. I stressed that I did not want to simply write about my own experiences, but was most interested in hearing from you, the reader. Now that I have arrived at my eighth column, I am happy to say someone has accepted my invitation to share. This is her story …

Arletta Johnson Meysembourg was born Aug. 18, 1929. She was the youngest and only girl in a family of four “big brothers.” She never knew a fifth brother, who died of pneumonia when he was only 9 years old — long before Arletta was born.

In her words, “To say that everyone was thrilled for a girl would be to say the least. Growing up in a family of men who doted on me was interesting in many ways. To say that I was spoiled would be incorrect; loved and cherished would be more accurate. However, I do remember that my mom was a stern disciplinarian when I was in my teens.”

Arletta had a ton of memories about her mother, who was the quintessential homemaker. Arletta’s childhood home in Kingsford was always filled with a variety of odors wafting up from the basement. They were the smells of good Swedish food: sauerkraut vats pickling, head cheese in the making, and lutefisk soaking in salt water. The kitchen had little dishes of feelibunk — the equivalent of yogurt today — sitting on the counters. Her mom also made pasties, rice pudding with raisins, ice cream and all kinds of breads: Swedish rye, saffron, cardamom, dark lympa, cinnamon rolls, and “ice box crescent rolls.”

Arletta also remembers that her mom “did lots of knitting, crocheting, sewing for all of the babies, making mittens and even socks.” She made shirts and dresses for her children. She taught Arletta how to sew, knit and crochet, but Arletta said, “I could never turn a collar or read knitting directions, but luckily I could copy a simple-pattern style if I wanted to try something new.”

Arletta, like many children who grew up in the Great Depression, remembers hard times but also takes pride in getting through them as a family. “Those days were so poor, money-wise,” Arletta said. “But we were together and somehow we managed. My mother walked around and around the relief office and would return home with a terrible headache because she didn’t want to apply for aid. I can still see the bags of cornmeal and the bags of white oleo. The oleo had a little square of yellow mixture in it. By kneading the two together, the oleo became yellow and looked like butter. Sometimes we would get tins of canned meat and peanut butter.”

Her father worked most of his life as a self-employed carpenter. During the Depression years, he worked for the WPA — a government program that helped the country recover. Arletta remembers its nickname was “We Poke Along.” Some may have referred to it as “We Piddle Around.” But many towns across America, including those locally, have public buildings today because of that program. During the war, her dad got work at the Ford Motor Company during the “glider days.”

Memories of World War II are vivid for Arletta. All four of her brothers enlisted, three in the Army and one in the Navy, and her mother spent many a sleepless night worrying about their safety. Mail seldom brought any information, but her father listened to news on the radio several times daily to learn about the location of the fighting and progress of the Allied forces. All four brothers returned safe and sound. One brother had been wounded twice and received a Purple Heart, and all had stories to tell.

Arletta recalls that their family “never had a financial boom, but always had a place to live. The doors were always open at my parents’ house, and their hearts were never indifferent to need and understanding. To say that all was rosy would not be accurate as life is full of ups and downs, but I only wish to remember and pass on the good times.”

Arletta graduated 11th in her class from Kingsford High School in 1947, after earlier attending Garden Village School and Quinnesec Junior High School. Some memories are so vivid that they never leave us. Such was the case for Arletta as she distinctly remembers one of her teachers asking her, “Arletta, what is the difference between a cud-chewing cow and a gum-chewing girl?” That question was followed by the strict direction, “Arletta, put your gum away!”

Arletta always had a job of her own, which was unusual for girls of her generation. Before marriage, she worked in child care and had many cleaning jobs. She also worked at Grondin Nursing Home, which eventually became Freeman’s. Most of her married years were spent in the Milwaukee area, where she had many different clerical positions at various large companies; she learned how to use many types of office equipment that are no longer in use today. When she returned to her hometown area, she worked as an executive secretary for the American Red Cross and later Century 21.

She is quick to say that her absolute favorite job was as a cashier at Kmart. She worked there for 20 years until they closed. She lived for 38 years in a mobile home in Park Ridge Mobile Home Park, where she planted many flowers and trees in her yard.

You may be wondering where all this is going and what it has to do with retirement. We are all a product of our own childhoods; we grow into an adult and develop a work ethic, choose to raise our children, and make important life decisions based upon our childhood experiences.

Today, at 89, Arletta lives independently in Hulst Manor, at the east end of Hughitt Street, in a lovely apartment surrounded by family photos. She gave away her mobile home when it became too much to manage — yes, you read that correctly. The recipient was a young mother with two young children who needed a “fresh start.” She loves her pet, Mitten, a black and white “tuxedo” cat. Her two parakeets also keep her company. She drives a 2003 Toyota Camry that was given to her by one of her daughters. She enjoys her neighbors and has made a lot of friends over bingo and Yahtzee. Arletta refers to these retirement years as “the final frontier.” It is obviously a time of reflection for Arletta, as she writes a lot and agreed to pass along her perspectives via this column.

She enjoys watching her family grow. Her three children are all doing well and have built successful lives. She has eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She fondly remembers the past, lives in the present and looks to the future. She said she never thought about retirement because she was just too busy working. Her advice, “Save as much money as you can and big mortgages are simply rent to own.” And finally, “the Kingdom of Heaven is not a place but a state of mind.”

Here are Arletta’s thoughts on retirement in her words …

The definition of retirement is privacy, withdrawal from business or active life and going to bed.

How much privacy a person needs must be an individual choice. Going to the bathroom to soak in the tub with candles and bubble bath or sitting on the “throne” with a magazine or crossword puzzle … taking a walk … or taking a short nap. Privacy letters come with our credit cards, financial and medical statements. I wonder how much we really have or need.

I thought all life was active. I was gainfully employed most of my life plus raised a family. I was almost 80 when I retired from Kmart after 20 years as a checkout cashier. It was the best job I ever had, as I could punch in and out without stress. I never made more than minimum wage. Retirement meant going from a weekly check to a once a month check. It meant leaving co-workers and friends.

Because of our long, hard winters — heavy snow and freezing temperatures — many Yoopers want to relocate to Florida or Arizona for six months when they retire. They want the best of both worlds. I, personally, love the four seasons: spring when everything awakes from a long winter’s nap; our summers are iffy; beautiful fall colors on the trees; and then winter. If only we could find a way to shorten them.

I’ve lived in four different states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida. I’m a Yooper at heart. I wrote an article for the Hometown Memories Book titled “Wood Fire Saunas and Iron Mines: Tales of the Good Old Days.”

Lastly, I downsized my housing from a three-bedroom mobile home of 38 years to a lovely one-bedroom apartment on the second floor of Hulst Manor with other retirees and my cat, Mitten. We are making new friends, play bingo and share coffee, cake and ice cream on birthdays. One never completely retires from the everyday activities of daily living — exceptions being nursing home or cemetery.

We experience a lot of changes physically — the eyes, the ears and teeth. Did I mention there is a stranger in my house, an essay I read in the newspaper? I don’t know where she goes or where she comes from, but she appears every time I look in the mirror. That old lady can’t be me!

I have travelled by car, plane and Amtrak. I have had many hobbies: flower gardening, scrapbooking, embroidering, crocheting and lastly, the computer. Now that’s a real challenge!

My busy days are filled with “The Price” in the morning and “The Wheel” at night. By then, Mitten and I are ready to retire or go to bed.

Do you have memories or retirement perspectives you would like to share? Contact me at smkillian1969@gmail.com or 715-251-4694.

——

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

Scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m Sunday through Saturday.

Sunday: Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; brouhaha, 11 a.m.; library cart, 1:30; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Craft, 10:30 a.m.; reminisce, 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.; evening visitor, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy,11 a.m.; bible study, 1:30 p.m.; pokereno, 2:30 p.m.; laundry day, 3:30 p.m.; Lawrence Welk, 5 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 11 a.m.; bunko, 1:15 a.m.; sing along, 2:30 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; daily newspaper, 11 a.m.; spinning records, 1 pm; bingo, 2 p.m.

Iron County 

Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Exercise: 11 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Sunday: One-to-one church visitors, 8:20 to 11 a.m.; high rollers, 10 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: CF library, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/puzzle time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; heads up, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m..; travel film, 1 p.m.; St. Mark’s church, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; casino trip, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; spell bee bball, 2 p.m.; activity council, 3 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Room to room bingo/how do you feel? 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet your whistle, 9:30 a.m. daily.

Exercise, 10 a.m. daily.

Movie, 10:45 a.m. daily, and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Popcorn Day, every Friday

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15; company’s coming room visits, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Did you know, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; po-ke-no, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Trivia, 10:15 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; bocce, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; good neighbor bingo, 2 p.m.; Magic Moments, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: All about April, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; chips and chatter, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Sunday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; derby day, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Derby day, 10:15 a.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.; Baptist service, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Deal or No Deal, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Laugh out loud, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; bible stories, 3 p.m.; concert, jokereno, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass/Stations of the Cross, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; help your neighbor, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass and Adoration, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Denise S., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Baking, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; bingo, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Juice time, 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Shopping days: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, must sign up.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Toni’s birthday party, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Golden Throats, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m. 

Thursday: Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Morning news, 6 a.m. daily.

Beauty shop open on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.; coffee time, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bingo with Bette, 10 a.m.; birthday party, 1:30 p.m.; reading with Clover, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: PB and J party, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Flippo, 10 a.m.; chocolate mousse party, 2 p.m.; trivia, 3 p.m.; reading with Clover, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Uno, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; room visits.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; cards/21, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; comedy hour, 6 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Busy Bee, 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; bowling 2 p.m.; cribbage, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24-hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the Center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal at noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals Monday through Friday.

Pasty sale every third Saturday of the month — except on holidays.  

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. 

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.   

Treats and coffee, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledged every day.

Evening meals are on the first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m., with dinner at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Monday: Soup, salad, hot tuna casserole, vegetables and homemade dessert.

Tuesday: Soup, salad, pasty pie, coleslaw, and homemade dessert.

Wednesday: Soup, salad, baked chicken, rice, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; Mahjong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays: Two-person team cribbage from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, 1 p.m., crafters, scrapbookers and others also welcome; knitting and crocheting class, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music jam starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free. 

Dances take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Admission is $6; coffee is free. 

The Photo Club meets 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.  

The kitchen is currently closed due to plumbing issues, and meals are being served at the Breen Center. Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256, ext. 235. For transportation, call Buzzin’ Around Town at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 for age 60 and older, and $3.50 for younger than 60. 

Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Meals served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Bingo after lunch on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

A congregate jigsaw puzzle is done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Suggested donation for seniors older than 60 is $4 per meal. Residents younger than 60 must pay $7. Reservations and cancellations needed 48-hours in advance.

The ADRC can assist area seniors and those with disabilities with transportation Monday through Friday. Transportation reservation should be made with meal reservation.  

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon Wednesdays only. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

715-528-4261

Home-delivered meals are available as always. Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. at the center on Friday only. 

The meal site is temporarily closed Monday through Thursday due to a staffing shortage. 

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320

Serving lunch at noon on the second Thursday of the month.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Transportation arrangements can be made to and from the meal site.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is at noon Monday through Friday. Suggested donation is $3 for age 60 and older and $7 for those younger than 60. Morning coffee is available daily.

Fifteen games of “fun bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday, along with a 50-50 drawing.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill also is available.

Enjoy friendly interaction with other crafters.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Meals served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; a $4 donation is encouraged from those 60 and older, and a $5 payment is required from those younger than 60. Thursday meal, 3:30 p.m. soup, 4 p.m. salad bar, with dinner at 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Home-delivered meals are available — call 906-774-2256 and speak to Christine Tramontine at ext. 235 or Stephen at ext. 230. Menu for the week of April 1 follows:

Monday: Sloppy Joe, macaroni and cheese, peas, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan casserole, Italian vegetables, garlic bread, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: Tomato soup, egg salad sandwich, chips, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, dessert and milk.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule, 715-251-1603

Senior center director: Jill Anderson, 715-251- 4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday. Transportation is available to the meal site for those living in the Niagara, Wis., area. We welcome any senior groups who would like to use the meal site as a meeting place — join us for lunch and then stay for a meeting or social time. Wii games, cards, puzzles and board games are available to play. 

Other activities are in the works — suggestions are always welcome. 

Those who have not been at the meal site/senior center are invited to give it a try. Those who haven’t been here in a while are encouraged to come back.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon, with salad bar. Soup also is available at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea and coffee served daily. Meal donation is $5. Reservation for the meal should be made in advance.

Two special-themed meals take place each month on Tuesday, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

Two evening meals offered at 5 p.m. on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Baked chicken, tater tots, peas, salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

5 p.m. meal: Company chicken dinner, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, soup and salad bar, dessert with bingo and prizes and 50-50.

Tuesday: Chili with corn bread, green beans, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

Wednesday: Breaded pork chop, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert

Thursday: Beef stroganoff over noodles, peas and carrots, fruit, juice and dessert.

April 3 and April 17: Blood pressure clinics on Wednesdays 11 a.m. to noon.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

Puzzles always in the works.

A senior coloring class meets daily. All are welcome. Some materials will be provided.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. Cards: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months. A puzzle table is available to enjoy. Volunteers are always welcome.