Mom in Arbois|
(The background flags on this page represent Idaho, my birth State; Utah, current State of residence; Denmark, paternal ancestral country; and France, maternal ancestral country.) |
Mom in Arbois
While my father, Tillman, (a native of Logan, Utah) was stationed in Paris during World War II, he met my mother, Suzanne, at a USO dance. Mom was an art student at L'ecole d'Art Applique a la Mode (majoring in Fashion Design)--she was also a courier for the French Underground (of which her parents were blissfully unaware....or so, she says!) Dad said he saw her reading the "Stars and Stripes"--i.e. meaning a person who could understand English--besides, "she had nice legs." Yes, Mom still has nice legs. She walks everyday!
They became friends and continued to correspond (through the help of my grandmother who REALLY understood English) after he returned to the States . In December 1946, Mom came to the U.S. to get medical help for her sister, Annette, who was dying of TB. She hoped she could pay for this by teaching art. Meanwhile, Dad, after his return to the States, was now in Idaho working as an electrical contractor with his brothers. He found out Mom was in Salt Lake City working for an art store and brought her to his parents in Logan. They married in 1947 in Idaho Falls. Unfortunately, Aunt Annette died before they could get her here. Throughout this dark time and their whole marriage, Dad was Mom's strongest supporter and staunchest friend.
Mom taught art at home (many times using her daughters as models) and was the first president of the Art Guild in Idaho Falls. Dad's contracting business continued successfully and later included an appliance dealership. He would often take us with him when he delivered appliances. It was fun for us. (I learned to be a discriminating consumer through his tutelage...)
My family is mainly of Danish and French descent along with Irish, English, Spanish, Scottish, Swiss, and German origins. We are an interesting blend of cultures, languages, religions, and appearances. Through my paternal Danish grandfather I am second generation in this country and through my mother's French nationality I am first, sort of: (although she was born in the U.S., she went to France as a child so it feels like I am first!) This has had a big impact on my perceptions and attitudes about the world and people in general, for which I am very grateful. Because of their influence, all three of their children are curious, like to draw, love music, good conversation, the sciences, and most important of all, Dad would say, we just simply cannot resist animals--especially cats and dogs!
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 "Happy
Birthday"traditional medley |
"It's Your Birthday" Beatles |
For more family links see:  |
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| Fonnesbeck Family Page e-mail is: dahstra@atari.org |
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| Leif Neillson's Homepage (a Fonnesbech in Denmark (not sure of relationship)--very nice fellow!) |
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| Family Art Gallery--inactive at moment |
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