Mary Elizabeth (Atkinson) Klein (1916-2001)
The farm life as I have said was a good life but not a lucrative one at least in the years we were there. After 17 years of mostly mediocre harvests and low commodity market, the offer of a regular paycheck for managing the new nursing home in Bristol was tempting. Barney was more enthused than I. I was somewhat aware of the responsibilities and difficulties involved. I had an RN friend who worked at and at one time Director of Nursing in the home in Webster, our county seat. I eventually relented and we agreed to a 10-year tenure. We started our paid duties June 1, l968. Prior to that we put in countless hours of preparation, as this was a new venture for both of us.
The late summer before, after making our commitment, we made arrangements to purchase a 5 year old, 2-bedroom house with a full walk out basement. It was 2 blocks east of Sun Dial Manor, the nursing home. The fall of ’68 we added a garage and small workshop. We enjoyed keeping up the lawn and flowers and a small vegetable garden. This was our relaxation after a long day of being indoors.
Barney served on the church council of Bethesda Lutheran and as head usher for a number of years. He was confirmed in Zion Lutheran, Eureka when a teen-ager. I was confirmed as an adult while Barney was over seas as it was important to him that I do so. Barney also served 2 terms as mayor of Bristol. It was during the years that the groundwork was laid for the WEB water system. This is the water network in eastern SD that brings in Missouri water to supplement the diminishing aquifers.
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