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Lori Treff * Chaska * 952-368-4440 |
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Flowers. Dresses. Tuxedos. Chanhassen * 952-934-3434 |
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“Trees Are Our Roots” 8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990 |
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For all your home financing needs. Bob Merrill 952-746-9555 |
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Dolce Vita Wine Shop Hwy 41 & 212 Chaska 952-361-0044 |
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The Victoria Gazette Archives Past issues are pushing up daisies at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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*** The hat lady doesn’t live alone in the home where she was born. In 1968 Virginia came to marry a fellow from Foley named Sherman Stowe. Her sister Joyce had married Delbert Peldo, and her brother Bob married Juanne Ripple, daughter of John and Mamie Ripple. “Bob was best friends with Donald Ripple, a brother of Juanne’s,” said Virginia. “After Juanne died, Bob married Jo Hubbard who was also a nice lady and could do many things. She took good care of Bobby when he was sick.” When Bob and Juanne’s son Gregg attended the October 13th, 2009, Victoria City Council meeting, he commented on the recent sale of his parents’ property to Three Rivers Park. “It was my father and mother’s property,” he said. “It was our family’s on both sides. It is the final closure of the Park acquiring all of our property.” He was referring, of course, to the Ripple farms as well as the Hedkte property on Stieger Lake and now Schutz Lake. After this latest sale to Three Rivers, Virginia walked up Park Drive, as is her wont, and stood at the corner of her brother’s property. She wore a hat and held a walking stick. She stood motionless next to the big SOLD sign, not glancing in either direction as cars drove into the Parkside neighborhood at Schutz Lake or up to the Dog Park. Most likely Virginia was recalling days gone by, days of fishing with her parents on Schutz Lake, cooking out at the old cabin, spending time with her brother. Virginia and Bob both sang in the choir of the Lake Auburn Moravian Church. Their parents are buried in the Moravian Cemetery, as are Bob and Juanne. The hat lady is an independent lady who enjoys the outdoors and will probably continue walking up Park Drive, depending on her whimsy and the weather. We become our memories and our memories become us. Thank you, Virginia, for sharing your story and your sweet pickles. |
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The Hat Lady Continued |
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November 2009 |
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Herb and Evelyn Hedtke and their children in 1944, “during the War.” Son Bob served in the U.S. Army. Daughter Joyce taught Morse Code to U.S. soldiers. Virginia was their youngest. |