January 5, 1945 (Friday)

WE WERE STUCK IN A SNOWBANK

Still continued COLD.

Below zero and

and many roads still

impassable.

Hank took me to

see Thurzie Thompson

about meat points for

W.S.C.S. dinner next wk.

We were stuck in a

snow bank south of

Bentons, finally got out.

Road hadn't been plowed

out yet.

Whole county crew

working hard to get

roads opened up. Have

night and day crew.

Bob is working days.

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The W.S.C.S. (Women's Society of Christian Service) is a women-led ministry of the Methodist Church. The book, The Mission of a People Within the Valley of the Little Thornapple (1836-1956) by Henry A. Johnson (Edna's husband) notes the service of the W.S.C.S. stating they are a "director of thousands of events" for the Methodist Church in Bowne Center and were directly responsible for funding the Ladies Aid Hall (which still stands today at Bowne Center). At the time Henry published the book (1957), the W.S.C.S. had served Bowne Center for a period of eighty-eight years.

During WWII, the Office of Price Administration (OPA) had the "authority to set price limits and ration food and other commodities in order to discourage hoarding and ensure the equitable distribution of scarce resources. By the spring (1942), Americans were unable to purchase sugar without government-issued food coupons. Vouchers for coffee were introduced in November, and by March of 1943, meat, cheese, fats, canned fish, canned milk and other processed foods were added to the list of rationed provisions." [https://www.history.com/news/food-rationing-in-wartime-america]

Edna is off to see Thurzie Thompson about getting meat ration points for the W.S.C.S. dinner. That dinner would have been among one of the thousands of events put on by the W.S.C.S. that Henry referenced in his book. Edna must have secured the points she wanted as she didn't remark otherwise but she did get stuck in a snowbank along the way. Perhaps that news was bigger than outcome of the ration points she was seeking.

My dad, Richard Johnson (Edna's grandson) now 93, recalls that Thurzie may have served on the local ration board. During WWII, the work of issuing rations was often handled by local volunteer boards.

I love getting acquainted with people Edna writes about in her journal. So, I went about trying to learn what I could about Thurzie Thompson.

Thurzie Seese was born to Hiram and Ellen Seese on September 18, 1893.

Thurzie married Asahel Thompson on March 21, 1918 in Bowne Center. Pastor Vincent C. Webb presided. Alden Porritt and Bertha Lacey were witnesses. Both Thurzie and Ashael were twenty-four when they were married. (View their marriage record)

The record notes that Ashael is a farmer and Thurzie a domestic. Thurzie did teach school at some point. Both she and Bertha Lacey (one of her wedding witnesses) are listed on the Bowne Township Historical Society's website as teachers at the Lowe school. Lowe was one of several one-room schoolhouses in Bowne Township. It was located at 100th Street and Alden Nash.

I found a few small items in the Lowell Ledger that helped to illustrate the type of person Thurzie likely was.

When her mother took ill, Thurzie helped to care for her (Lowell Ledger 1931).

And, according to the June 12, 1952 edition of the Lowell Ledger, Thurzie once recited an original poem, The Preacher's Wife, after which she presented a personal gift to Mrs. Bolith (who I am assuming was a preacher's wife).

Thurzie and Asahel had one child, Ardith Ellen. Ardith made her way into the world on April 2, 1922, four years after her parents were wed.

Ardith passed away on November 13, 1941 at the age of 19 years, less than one month before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

According to Ardith’s death certificate, she died after having been under a doctor’s care for a two-week period. On her death certificate the cause of death is listed as chronic encephalitis and cerebral degeneration following epilepsy. Dehydration and inanition (malnutrition) are also noted on the death certificate.

Ardith’s obituary indicates that she had been ill for a long period of time and makes note of her fine nature.

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Ardith Ellen Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ashel Thompson, was born in Bowne Township April 2, 1922 and entered her eternal rest Thursday morning, November 13, 1941, aged 19 years, 7 months and 11 days.

She attended Lowe school until nearly ten years of age, also the Bowne Center Methodist Sunday school until sickness prevented her.

She was blessed with a sunny disposition and made happy when she could share her toys or give gifts to others.

She was a patient sufferer during her long illness and most appreciative of the numerous kindnesses shown her by her schoolmates and friends.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ashel Thompson, her grandmother, Mrs. Ellen Seese and other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held from the Methodist church in Bowne township and was conducted by Rev. F.E. Chamberlain and interment was in Bowne cemetery.

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Ashael passed away thirty one years after Ardith. Thurzie lived another eleven years, passing away on March 27, 1986 at the age of 82.

Thurzie, Ashael and Ardith are all buried at the cemetery in Bowne Center.