Marx  Gangel  Mania December, 2004

 

Family news by Sam D. Maniac – a.k.a. George Marx – 3020 S 9 St. – K.C.KS 66103 – 913.262.0709 - samnellam@juno.com

 

 

january  birthdays

 

	3	1990	Jeremy Humphrey	Beth - Ella/Sam - George M - Lib G	K C KS
	4	1947	Donna Marx	Dick - Joe M - Edna G	Olathe, KS
	7	1951	Lois Hauber	Joe B - Margaret M - Joe H	Arlington, TX
	7	1984	Eric Hauber	Rick - Margaret M - Joe H	Shawnee, KS
	8	1986	Joseph Hauber	Rick - Margaret M - Joe H	Shawnee, KS
	10	1972	John Humphrey	Ella/Sam - George M - Lib G	Mayview, MO
	11	1969	Renee' Brown	Linda/Jim - George M - Lib G	Danville, IA
	11	2002	Alaina Dietrich	Steph - Jim - George M - Lib G	Marietta, GA
	13	1984	Tahlia Gangel Kerr	Maile - Ed - Pat G	Imperial Beach, CA
	15	1996	Nathan Hauber	Jerry - Margaret M - Joe H.	Shawnee Mission, KS
	16	1940	Barbara Jo Marx	Don - George M - Lib G	Anchorage, AK
	16	1937	Jim Marx	George M – Lib G	K C KS
	16	1955	Vince Wessling	Rose - Margaret M - Joe H	K C MO
	27	1954	Tom Marx	Fred	K C MO
	27	1999	Emily York	Tina-Georgene-Sam-George M-Lib G	Lee's Summit, MO

What's Happening?

 

On Sunday, November 21, Ella and I had the pleasure of attending a church service in south Kansas City.  We sat with Kay Gangel {Carl Albert – Carl & Kathryn} and listened to some fine singing by a group of eight men, one of which was our own Paul Gangel {Herman & Agnes}.  After the service we joined Kay,  Paul, his friend Katie, Paul's son Arthur and his wife Kendall at the Golden Corral for a fine dinner.  We really had a fantastic time.  I think we might have convinced Arthur that it would be nice for him to join in the reunion next July and meet a lot more of the family. 

 

In late October, my wife Ella was informed that her younger sister, Madyline, in Manchester, TN, her only living relative other than her 94 year old aunt in a home in Shawnee, was found to have a growth the size of an orange in her lung with nodules in both lungs.  I sent an urgent request for prayers to the immediate family and to the Ursuline Sisters in Paola.  Quite some time, and many, many test have passed and there is still no conclusion.  The growth in the lung seems to be a fungus, but the type and cause are still a mystery.   During this time we have had another crisis to deal with.  Jessica Henley, wife of my daughter Cheryl's son Brian is the 24 year old mother of three boys and one girl was taken to emergency by ambulance with severe chest pains.  A growth has been detected on Jessica's breast bone and a biopsy taken.  That, along with a series of tests have again produced no definite conclusion, and are continuing.  Brian and Jessica had just been through a scare with their son Colin who was thought to have cancer.   To top it all off, Jessica's grandfather was recently taken off life support and is not expected to recover.  He and Joe Moran, a close friend of the Marx family who recently died, were long time ushers together at St. Patrick's Church in K.C., KS.   The bottom line is that we are asking that you remember all these in your prayers.

 

Friday – Nov. 19 – Shirley Valderrama writes:  Got the message about Brian and Jessica.  Be assured of our prayers.  Rita Fromholtz Grady's {Nick & Margaret G.} son-in-law is undergoing surgery.  They have moved to Bakersfield and Rita was planning to visit them on Thanksgiving.  That had to be cancelled.  A lot of prayers for those undergoing surgery, etc.; but Dr. Jesus can handle all of them and more.  Love,    Shirley

 

On the brighter side:  Linda, wife of Jim {George M. & Lib G.} on Nov. 22 reports:  Hi,  Have to spread the good news.  Received a call from the doctor's office.  The test results came back benign!  Thanks to all for the cards, e-mails and prayers.  It's GREAT to have the love and support of so many.  The doctor says I lost a lot of blood.  I get a little shaky.  My stitches look as if he nearly cut my ear off.  It's swollen, but looks much better than when I first saw it on Friday.  I'm feeling some tingling which I presume is a good sign as part of the left side of my face is numb.  Ours will truly be a Happy Thanksgiving!  Our prayers are with those who are still waiting to hear and praying for good news as well.  God bless and take care.  Love,    Linda

 

FAMILY FOCUS from Louisburg, Kansas -  Greetings from Louisburg, Kansas.  This is from John and Jo Ann Gangel {Herman & Agnes}.  Jo and I are the only ones left in Louisburg.  Brothers Charles, Fran and Mike all live near Canon City, Colorado.  Paul lives in Amsterdam, MO, sister Mary is in Kansas City.  It sure is lonely here with no one to lean on, but we seem to be doing alright on our own.  Jo and I have five boys.  The baby turned 38 this year [what a shock].  We have 6 grandchildren.  Greg and Michelle adopted a son last week; what a joy.  They also have a daughter who is two and one half.  Jo and I are both retired and are enjoying a life of leisure [at least what we do is of our own choosing].  I would sure hate to have to go back to work.  We sure enjoy the news about the family.  We plan to be at the reunion next summer.  See you then.   John and Jo.

 

Saturday – Nov. 20 – from Jan Gangel-Vasquez – As always, I love getting the Mania.  Pedro and I are planning to land in your area for the mania celebration next summer.  I think Maile (Kirby) Gangel-Kerr and part or all of her "brood" are planning to also.  We're trying to convince our fear-of-flying brother Kurt and sister Brenda to join us.  Thanks.  Jan Gangel-Vasquez {daughter of Ed & Pat Gangel}.

 

Tuesday – Nov. 23 – from the Ursuline Convent in Paola, KS -  I'm sorry I'm so late in responding to your e-mail about Jessica.  I pray things have turned out well for her.  I wanted you to know I put her name and intention on our prayer list in the back of Chapel.  She will be remembered in all our daily prayers.  I hope Colin is doing better, too.  I hope you and your family will have a blessed Thanksgiving.  We have so many blessings for which we can give thanks; even these trials that come our way which can be blessings in disguise.  Take care!  Thank you for staying in touch with us. Love and prayers,   Sister Raymond Dieckman   

 

Saturday – Nov. 27 – from Kirby Maile Gangel-Kerr {third daughter of Ed and Pat Gangel} -  HELLO!  I just arrived home from my cousin Pam Curtis' home in Costa Mesa.  Pat and Ed and Jan and Pedro joined us for a day after Thanksgiving brunch.  Ed and Pat are planning to fly back to Oregon Tuesday.  My two girls, Ilisha and Tahlia and I spent Thanksgiving with Pam and her daughter Maya.  Son, Genai and his father Roy are in Jamaica this week for a water polo clinic and tournament at the invitation of Sean Paul, a Jamaican Reggae artist who plays water polo and whose father coaches.  Genai is coaching and playing on the Jamaican National Team for the week.  I will try to get some news reports to you for the fun of it.  So far, all I know is based on three very brief phone calls.  Genai and Roy presented a seminar for young players and their parents, and also had a radio interview.  Genai's close friends and fellow water polo players from the United States are with them.  This is all I know from the very brief phone calls.  All is well here.  Hopefully we will all be able to join you at the reunion.          Maile

 

Tuesday – Nov. 30 – from Dolores Marx-Collett – {Joe M. & Edna G.}  In reply to my request to find Connie for Uncle Ed and Aunt Pat.  Hi Sam,  We moved to Florida in June.  Keith retired last January.  Connie (Marx) is still living with us.  Our new address is 551 Gregory Dr., Umatilla, FL  32784.  Connie's e-mail address is conniemarx1@aol.com.  As far as I know, Rosemarie is still in Arizona, and, I believe her daughter Debbie moved back to Chicago.  A copy of a response also came from Ivor and Judy Marx-Morris {Joe M. & Edna G.} in Camdenton, MO.  Hello Uncle Ed and Aunt Pat:  Connie's address is 551 Gregory Dr., Umatilla, FL 31784.  Rosemarie's address is 10821 Santan Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.     Love, Judy

 

Saturday – Dec. 11 – from Aunt Pat {Ed} – I'm writing to update you on "The Perils of Pat"…you're probably too young to remember the old film, "The Perils of Pauline".  We had a really nice time in our rented funky house on the beach in Imperial Beach.  Son Kurt and family and daughter Kirby and family spent time with us when not working at their jobs.  We were there 10 days and then drove to Redondo Beach to spend a few days with Jan and Pedro.  My internal bleeding began again and I had to spend four days in the hospital.  This time no transfusions were necessary.  We had shipped our dog to San Diego which is near Imperial Beach.  We took him with us to Redondo Beach.  Just before I was hospitalized, Jan's little dog was hit by a car.  $2,000 later, she is still alive, but requires a lot of care as she recovers.  She is on prednisone which makes her so hungry she eats like a wolf and also urinates without control.  The vet says this will stop when her rx is finished.  When I got out of the hospital…still bleeding, but better…I flew to Oregon and was picked up by nurse daughter Brenda who took care of me for three days at her home.  Finally, I am home and really glad to be here.  I'm sure you find this really fascinating.  Kirby and her daughters are flying to Oregon Dec. 17, and her son Genai will arrive Dec. 22.  They all fly back to California on Christmas Day…cheap tickets that way.  Genai is still flying all over the U.S. and also other countries giving "clinics" in water polo and basketball.  He is heading up an organization in U.S. which is educating young people about the hazards of drug use.  I haven't checked to see if the two websites are still available, but you might try.  Just type in Genai Kerr and the other, Tahlia Kerr.  I hope you are feeling wonderful….I know Ella was still suffering from shingles.  I have two friends who had severe cases and some years after have no symptoms at all.  Ed and Jan are going to drive our "96 Gran Marquis, bringing the two dogs to Oregon.  They will start out next Saturday, I think.  I am hoping we will have some snow, but even though the surrounding mountains are white, we have had only brief snows, only several times in the years we have lived here.  I would like to lure some…any…of you to come see us.  I wish for all to have a wonderfully happy Christmas.                     Love from Pat

 

Saturday – Dec. 11 – from Shirley Marx-Valderrama {George M. & Lib G.} To all the "maniax" on Sam's list:  A very merry, maniacal Christmas to all and a happy, loco New Year.  Looking forward to seeing all of you in July '05!  Love, prayers, and best wishes to all.             Shirley

 

Saturday – Dec. 4 – A photo, apparently taken by Mary Ann, was received showing brother Bill {Geo. M. & Lib G.} with a line phone at one ear and a cell phone at the other.  The following message (which is actually true) was attached.  You think it's easy keeping in touch miles away from anyone?  I have a K.C. brother, Sam in the right ear and an Alaskan brother, Don in the left ear!!  How's that for a conference call?  I title the picture Brothers in Stereo—or simply: BS.  This, of course, cried out for a response from Don in Anchorage:  Not many of us could simultaneously keep up with two such outstanding conversationalists.  What I thought was particularly interesting is that I could hear Sam talking very clearly.  It made me wonder what Bill has between those ears.  It seemed like Bose waveguide.

Bill, however, since he's retired doesn't just sit around talking on the phone.  He has other high tech endeavors to occupy his mind.  Bill has sent the following notice to many relatives:  Re: M and M's.  As the holidays approach and I update my address book, I am once again reminded of the unbalanced condition of my electronic Rolodex.  Having three brothers and six Makarewicz brothers-in-law (together with their associated descendants and ascendants) with surnames beginning with "M", severely overtaxes that section of the directory.  If the directory were a bridge, surely the entire span would collapse at the "M" section.  A beast of burden would break it's back laden with such an unbalanced "M" load.  However, my directory is very low on O's and Z's, and completely devoid of Q's and I's.  Therefore, I would ask that some of you consider changing your name to O'Marx, Zakarewicz or Quarx in the interest of alphabetical fair play.  I appreciate my sisters (and in-laws) who have married and divested themselves of the "M" surname.  I am especially grateful to Shirley for bulking up my V's with Valderrama, and Mary taking Jeffers because my J's were lacking.  And, I am very grateful that no female M's hyphenated their names as is the current trend.  I ask single male "M" relatives to explore the possibility of bucking tradition and un"M"ing their last names by taking their spouse's name.  I find myself avoiding new acquaintances with an "M" surname because my file already contains them in excess.  I also give warning to "M" friends and "M" relatives that I may antagonize them just so I can delete their "M" names and balance my directory.  Happy Holidays           Bill