1980s Albert & Elsie Family Photos

Albert & Elsie Flatau's 61st Anniversary
January 15, 1980

Note from Kristin: Vi Johnson kept a journal of events. In January 1980, Port Angeles, Washington area experienced a foot of snowfall. Walt & Vi were planning a trip to Minnesota to celebrate Albert & Elsie's 61st anniversary along with Vi's siblings and their families. It would be the first time in seventeen years that Albert & Elsie's children would be with them to celebrate their anniversary on the actual date of January 15th. Walt & Vi left the snowy state of Washington and flew to Fargo. They took a 'puddle jumper' or 'milk run' that stopped at the airports of Spokane WA, Great Falls MT, Billings MT, and Bismarck ND before arriving at Fargo, ND. It may have been the only flight available. How else would you explain the torture of dropping in at those airports in a small airplane in the middle of winter!! Photos, as well as excerpts from Vi's journal, are below.

Just in case some of you were wondering where you were in January 1980...... I'm sure all will know who Vi is referring to when she used the initials below:

Vi's Journal:

January 12, 1980 - Dale took us to the airport. Gary, Kris, & Judy met us at SeaTac - to Spokane, G Falls, Billings, Bismarck, Fargo - V, Lor/, Rick & Kari met us - to Nancy/Mike - Kev there - to Chinese dinner - to Perham - Vern's stayed onite. Note from Kristin: 'Dale' would be Paul Schoeneman's brother.
January 13, 1980 - Vern's left - to NYM to Erik's 2nd birthday - played pinochle until 2 am
January 14, 1980 - Rhoda came - Rod, Walt, Dad fishing at 4:30 to 7:30 - got crappies - pinochle again
January 15, 1980 - Vern's came with snowmobiles - Rhoda came out - Had smobile ride - good! - all to dinner at D.L. - had card games
January 16, 1980 - meals at Rod's & Susan's - more pinochle
January 17, 1980 - to Toni & twins - to Rhoda - to Levi's in evening - more cards - Walt catching cold
January 18, 1980 - visited Harry's & Martin's - Kevin came - stayed onite - pinochle - Walt & Mom bad colds
January 19, 1980 - Rod's - Sue/Ben - B/G/Erik - D/D/Laura - Vern's - K/A/Scott - N/M/Kari - T/Amanda - Rhoda - Karen - D/S/J/LynAnn - T/T/B/J/Jenny - Potluck at folks
January 20, 1980 - to Perham to get Rhoda & Karen - saw Helen, Ag, Eileen/Gary, John/Judy - Steve Deanna came - Sue came
January 21, 1980 - Rod & Dad took us to Fargo & return - N/Jen met us

Flatau Family (home) - Kinstories (home) - Johnson Family - Susag Family - Beckman Family
Granquist Family - Anderson Family - Stout Family - Walker Family - Peterson Family - Morris Family - Cauble Family