I was born in 1938 and grew up in a time when most of what people consider normal today simply didn’t exist. Over the decades, I watched America change, from one president to the next, from “make do” living to modern convenience, and from small-town rhythms to an always-connected world.

My family story goes back generations. My ancestors emigrated from Germany in the 1880s and homesteaded in Nebraska, building a new life as farmers. Those roots shaped the way I see hard work, responsibility, and faith.

This memoir, You’re Kidding Me, Grandpa, is my attempt to preserve what I remember: rural life, family lessons, near-misses, community moments, and the experiences that shaped me. It began as a family history project, but it speaks to anyone who’s curious about the past and what we can learn from it.