Grandma loved school and even at a young age read everything she could get her hands on. Her parents encouraged the learning as well but given the time period and their means no one - not even she - expected that college was in her future. That all changed when grandma's teacher and superintendent suggested her for a program at Iowa State College (now Iowa State university). Through this program, Grandma was able to earn her college degree if she worked for the school. Some of her duties included helping in the kitchen and in cleaning. She took a great deal of pride in being able to work for her studies.
When she graduated she had a Bachelors of Science in what was then called Life Sciences. One of the classes she told me about required that the students care for a child. When she told me about this I thought she meant a doll but I was mistaken. It was during the depression and there were families that could not afford to feed all their children, especially those that had needs above and beyond that of a normal child. Some times those children were given into the care of the universities so they could have the care they needed while giving others the experience of caring for them. The child Grandma and her group were given had several medical needs and could often try their patience while they were caring for her. There were many doctor visits, many nights without sleep, and many other experiences she said she'd not forget.
After graduating she took a job teaching in the town of Delhi, Iowa. She taught two years there. When she left she didn't plan on teaching ever again. Her parents encouraged her to visit the nearby town of Ocheyedan where she was called to do an interview. She was patronizing them when she made the drive, determined that she would not accept the job no matter what they offered. However, when she left the interview she left with a teaching contract in hand. Her salary was $125/month and she was very proud of that salary. She taught one year there before her supervisor encouraged her to further her education. This drew her west to Colorado where she once again found herself working for the college - this time Colorado State University - to get her Master's Degree. One of the stories she shared about that experience was having to kick the now Dr. Ben Konishi out of the girl's dorms when he was visiting his future wife.
Grandma was teaching in Pueblo when she was introduced to Grandpa. She actually met him in his own kitchen in the house my mom and dad live in now. She was dating a friend of his when they were introduced. Not long after that her relationship with his friend was dissolved and their own was created. The only story I can remember right now about their courtship, other than her meeting him in his own kitchen, was that Grandpa had his pilot's license and in the effort to impress him, Grandma signed up for flight instruction in Pueblo. While making a surprise visit, Grandpa found her with the flight instructor so the surprise was ruined. I would have liked to have heard more and I'm sure I did. I've often thought it had to be something of romantic. And it must have been a successful courtship because on July 30, 1949 she became Mrs. Anderson and moved into the back room of the pool hall in Jaroso.
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