In a special episode of Guest in the Homes, we interview the Klein's grandson Ron Klein. Ron is a Professor Emeritus at Columbus State University in Georgia. His father was Rev. and Mrs. Klein's oldest son Herb. Ron shares his recollections of his grandparents, his family, and also of his time living at the Homes for one year in 1939. Fair warning: this episode was recorded in a broom closet at a family funeral using only a tiny microphone and an iPhone (We’re not joking about that ...) so the audio was a bit of a challenge for our amazing editor Robby Newell -- he did an awesome job! Enjoy! 

Welcome to February of 1930! Wedding bells are ringing as the Klein's oldest son Herb gets married. The orphans celebrate Valentine's Day and receive special treats from a teacher and her class in Kansas and a friend of the Homes who made his Valentine's contributions an annual tradition. The "orphan patriots" also celebrate the birthdays of Presidents Washington and Lincoln. We pay special tribute to Rev. W.F. Hertel, the editor of the Messenger, the Homes' monthly newsletter. His work has been invaluable to our research and it's interesting to learn more about him.

We're back for Season 2 and we're excited to share what life was like at the Homes in 1930. At midnight on January 1st, Muscatine rang in the new year with church bells and a parade. On Burlington Road, the Homes were caring for 60 children and 39 elderly residents and financial pressures were mounting. We share more information about what brought the Kleins to the Homes in 1921. A special treat in this episode is that after Season 1, we found audio interviews on cassette tapes from 1981 where one of the Klein's grandsons interviewed the Klein children and their spouses about their time in North Dakota and Muscatine. We'll share portions of the interviews throughout this season. We'll also hear about the kindness of the Muscatine theatre owners in arranging for the orphans to go to the movies.  

Welcome to December of 1929! Iowans were fascinated by a newspaper's weekly installments of a fictional story about a young woman named Jean Marie. The questions asked and the responses of readers give insight into the controversial topics of the day.  At the Homes, Baby Frieda finds a family and the elderly residents take care of the medical needs of one of their own.  Learn more about the health care of the children - tonsil operations, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever - just to name a few and also hear information about their vaccination process. Despite all the distractions of every day life, Christmas was in the air and Rev. Klein was asking for donations, large and small. He appreciated even the smallest donations because, as he wrote,  "As always, the poor are the best friends of the poor because they know how bitter poverty is." The stories of Christmas are wonderful and, at the end of year, we reflect on the New Year's resolutions from January.

Rev. William Thalacker joins us for Guest in the Homes.  He is the son of the Klein's daughter Erna and  was named after his grandfather William Klein. He shares his recollections of his grandparents and his visits to the Homes. He provides insight into what Rev. Klein may have experienced as a German Lutheran pastor.  Rev. Thalacker also shares recollections of his time on the Board of the Homes during the 1960s. 

Ruth Nelson joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's daughter Erna and  she shares her recollections of her visits to the Homes and also of her grandparents and mother.  She recalls the stories of the Klein's time in North Dakota and also what happened when her grandfather brought home his first (and only) automobile.

Barbara Fritschel joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's oldest  daughter Sammy and  she and her brother Curt visited their grandparents often when the Kleins lived on the 2nd floor of the Home for the Aged.  Barb and one of the orphan girls became friends and Barb was allowed to spend the night in the girls' dormitory. On one occasion, she also got in a bit of trouble. Listen to find out what happened.  

Welcome to November of 1929!  November begins with a birthday celebration for Mrs. Klein and a little girl from Muscatine. Financial woes continue and the threat of foreclosure hangs over every aspect of life on Burlington Road.  But there are happy times, too, as Thanksgiving is celebrated. We also learn about weddings at the Homes. Do you know what a charavari is? Join us to find out. 

Podcast guest Rev. Paul Ostrem is the former pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Muscatine. Zion's history and the history the Homes have been intertwined since the very beginning. Rev. Ostrem talks about his research involving Pastor John Haefner that culminated in a book entitled "Dennoch!" Pastor Haefner's triumphs and struggles within the Muscatine community provide valuable insight into what it meant to be a U.S. citizen of German descent in the period before and after World War I.  The episode closes with a lovely recollection of a visitor he spoke with in the little cemetery on the hill at the Homes. If you want to purchase a copy of "Dennoch!" you can contact us at [email protected] and we will connect you with Rev. Ostrem.

Podcast guest Coby Budridge talks about her family's journey to the Homes. Her father and aunt were residents of the orphanage as children and learn how Coby uncovered their story and her family's history.