In The Begining
It all came about when Laurie worked at what was then Collins Radio now know as Rockwell Collins. Arnie ran a house to house bakery route for the Omar Bakery Co. that is no longer in existent. They both had a coworker that was a friend that were married to each other. Now, as you well know married couples never want to see single people running around free and unattached. So what did they do? Yep, you guessed it. They arranged a blind date for Laurie and Arnold on the 4th of July 1962.
Now, this blind date didn't start out very good. Arnie had been out all night the night before, and he just decided he wouldn't show up for the date that was to start some time around noon. They were to go to Waterloo for a picnic and then go watch the stockcar races at Tunis Speedway. But a phone call and a scolding persuaded him to go even though he was late. The whole date was very much on the cold side by both Laurie and Arnie. That would of been the end of their relationship if it hadn't of been for the fact that every time either Arnie or Laurie would visit these friends the other one was there. (not a coincidence, for sure) As time went on things began to warm up and Arnie asked Laurie for a real date. Laurie was a bit hessitant at first but soon they began dating regularly.
Now, this blind date didn't start out very good. Arnie had been out all night the night before, and he just decided he wouldn't show up for the date that was to start some time around noon. They were to go to Waterloo for a picnic and then go watch the stockcar races at Tunis Speedway. But a phone call and a scolding persuaded him to go even though he was late. The whole date was very much on the cold side by both Laurie and Arnie. That would of been the end of their relationship if it hadn't of been for the fact that every time either Arnie or Laurie would visit these friends the other one was there. (not a coincidence, for sure) As time went on things began to warm up and Arnie asked Laurie for a real date. Laurie was a bit hessitant at first but soon they began dating regularly.
On Christmas Eve 1962 Arnold gave Laurie a ring. He might of done it sooner, but when he asked Laurie to Marry him the first time, he never got a real answer. Then one day Laurie said "I love you", and Arnie took that as a yes.
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Their First Home
Click on Photo to inlarge
Their first home was a 10'x50' mobile home, parked in the adult only section of the Tower Terrace Mobile Home Park just north of Hiawatha, Iowa. At that time Tower Terrace was considered to be one of the best kept mobile home parks around and the adult section was the best kept part of the park.
A HOPPIE AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF FOOD
Both Arnie and Laurie love the out doors and Arnie's parents owned some land that wasn't being used for anything so they asked if they could use some of it to plant a garden of course they were given permission. they raised all the corn, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, and other vegtables they needed and some to giveaway. Their potatoes lasted all year. They also, had a large strawberry patch.
One neat thing that happened one night when they were working in the garden. Mel Schappert and Shirley Sonka came out and asked them if they would be their witnesses as they wanted to get married. That definitely was a yes. So they became Mr and Mrs. Mel Schappert shortly there after.
One neat thing that happened one night when they were working in the garden. Mel Schappert and Shirley Sonka came out and asked them if they would be their witnesses as they wanted to get married. That definitely was a yes. So they became Mr and Mrs. Mel Schappert shortly there after.
The First Family Addition
They lived in the adult section of Tower Terrace for about four years until they became the proud parents of their oldest son, Brian Lee, March 2nd, 1967 at 6:20 a.m. It was a bright crisp sunshinie morning when Laurie told Arnie it was time to go. Arnie got his knees to stop knocking and they left for the hospital . As they went out to the car their neighbors were standing outside and waved to them as if they knew where they were going.
Brian didn't know whether he wanted to come head first or feet first. He kept turning and finally head first he came. Laurie was in labor more then 34 hours. However, Brian must have thought it was a long time, too and when ya got a go ya got ago. Dr McConkie laid him on Laurie's hip and Brian almost soaked him. All ended up well and mother and baby did well. Dad also survived. He counted the fingers and toes and checked to see that every thing was in place, then asked to hold him, but the nurse said no, not yet.
At this time it was decided that when it was time for Laurie to return to her job at Collins Radio that she would stay at home and raise her son and not return to work. Oh Yeil, one more thing. Living in the adult section of Tower Terrace, that was a No, No. They had to move tto the childrens section. Not quite as nice, but worth it to have Brian.
Brian didn't know whether he wanted to come head first or feet first. He kept turning and finally head first he came. Laurie was in labor more then 34 hours. However, Brian must have thought it was a long time, too and when ya got a go ya got ago. Dr McConkie laid him on Laurie's hip and Brian almost soaked him. All ended up well and mother and baby did well. Dad also survived. He counted the fingers and toes and checked to see that every thing was in place, then asked to hold him, but the nurse said no, not yet.
At this time it was decided that when it was time for Laurie to return to her job at Collins Radio that she would stay at home and raise her son and not return to work. Oh Yeil, one more thing. Living in the adult section of Tower Terrace, that was a No, No. They had to move tto the childrens section. Not quite as nice, but worth it to have Brian.
Making the Mobile Home Partially a Double wide
The new addition to the family meant they had to move to the childrens section of the park. Soon after that their 10'x50' mobile home became a little crowded. They ordered an additional section for it to make it into a double wide. When the add on arrived it was a cold and windy day and the workers had to open one side of the 10x50 before they could attach the add on and Brian already had a cold and didn't feel good, but he was a Schappert and toughed it out. While cutting open the 10X50 the worker cut in to some electric wires and blew a fuse out on the pole. It took a while for them to find that fuse and the mobile home was getting cold. Finally with help from the park manager they found the fuse and could start again attaching the add on. After all was attached it was discovered that the carpet for the living room was missing and the people that sold them the add on would not replace it. So Arnie and Laurie had to replace it them selves. They could of taken these crooks to court, but the court cost would of been more than the carpet cost. All this did give them more room, but they were never really satified with it. So they sold it and bought a house in Hiawatha.
A Companion For Brian
After moving to Hiawatha we acquired our first pet We thought it would be a companion and fun for Brian and also might protect him out in the yard . That's when Skippy a collie joined the family. Brian and Skippy got along really good. We found out we were going to have another addition to the family and was wondering about having a large dog like Skippy would be too much and a new home for Skippy was found. At first Brian missed Skippy but soon he found other interests.
The Second Addition
A while after moving to Hiawatha they again became proud parents. A second son named Darrin Ray was born August 1st,1969 at 8:10 p.m. It was a hot summer evening and Arnie had been having trouble getting a lawnmower to work that afternoon and had called his Dad to help him. It was suspected that the time was getting close for Laurie to go to the hospital again so Arnie's mother came along too. The lawnmower got to running well enough to finish mowing the lawn and Laurie was begining to have labor pains so Arnie's Mom and Dad took Brian home with them. Early that evening Laurie and Arnie took off for the hospital. This time no send off from the neighbors and Arnie was slightly more steady on his feet, but not much. Darrin's birth was another hard birth. Again more then 35 hours in labor. His arm was up along side of his head and his hand on top of his head. Dr.McConkie couldn't get his arm and hand in a good place by himself so he called in a specialist and between the two did. Darrin did end up with a bruised hand. The nurse kept telling doctor nothing was happening. The dr. asked her if they gave Laurie an enema when they came in. She said no, the doctor was angry! She did it and they rushed Laurie into delivery. Labor had been so long that Darrin looked very blue and the doctor spanked him quite a bit to get him breathing. Scary! Just before that Arnie was told it would be a long time before anything would happen so he went to what was called the fathers room to call his parents to give them an update and then returned to the room. Laurie was gone! He went back out into the hall to find someone to tell him what happened and saw a nurse come down the hall with something in her arms. That somthing turned out to be a baby boy, and that baby boy was Arnold and Laurie's second son. Arnold again checked to see if everything was there and in the right place, and it was.
Both Brian and Darrin turned out to be two fine young men. But as you might know we lost Brian at the age 22. If you want to learn more details about them, Click Here
Both Brian and Darrin turned out to be two fine young men. But as you might know we lost Brian at the age 22. If you want to learn more details about them, Click Here
Another Move
Things went along smoothly for awhile but later on the budget got a little tight and they decided that maybe they should sell their home in Hiawatha and buy a duplex. That would let some one else help pay the expenses. This duplex was an upper and lower located at 882 Oakland Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids. It wasn't the only piece of income property the Schapperts owned, but you can read more about that later.
Although it took 5 years each for the boys to start school it sure didn't seem that long, Brian first and then Darrin.
When Brian was in kindergarten he came home one day and told his mother that he was going to get married. The girls name was Susan, and it seemed that Susan had the same thing in mind. Hum, don't you wonder what went on in that Kindergarten Class? This must of been the youngest engagment on record, but then the mothers had to go and spoil things by telling them the hard facts of life.
Darrin's first day at school went well as far as we know, at least the teacher never complained. But when it came time to go home that was a different story. Mom watched for him but no Darrin. She looked and looked and looked. George Turrner their neighbor looked and looked and looked still no Darrin. Just about time to call the police. Oh, wait no. There came Darrin out of one of his classmates house. It seems that Darrin left school out a back door with this new found friend and went to his home to play. Well a very relieved mother took Darrin home and gave him strict instruction as to what he would do from then on when school was out.
When the boys entered second grade they joined the Cub Scouts and became quite active in it for a while. This also got Dad and Mom involved. Dad first became an assistant Cub Master and then took his turn as a the Cub Master. Mom became a Den Mother and then went on to be the Den Mother leader. All of the Schapperts were quite active in Cub Scouting. As the Cub Master Arnold organized monthly paper drives in which the cubs were to collect newspapers from neighbors and friends and then bring them to school on a certain Saturdays and then sold. The pack raised so much money that they could have a special outting every month or two, such as trips to museums, swimming parties, etc. . Brian and Darrin also did quite well in the Pinewood Derby that was a annual event.
Although it took 5 years each for the boys to start school it sure didn't seem that long, Brian first and then Darrin.
When Brian was in kindergarten he came home one day and told his mother that he was going to get married. The girls name was Susan, and it seemed that Susan had the same thing in mind. Hum, don't you wonder what went on in that Kindergarten Class? This must of been the youngest engagment on record, but then the mothers had to go and spoil things by telling them the hard facts of life.
Darrin's first day at school went well as far as we know, at least the teacher never complained. But when it came time to go home that was a different story. Mom watched for him but no Darrin. She looked and looked and looked. George Turrner their neighbor looked and looked and looked still no Darrin. Just about time to call the police. Oh, wait no. There came Darrin out of one of his classmates house. It seems that Darrin left school out a back door with this new found friend and went to his home to play. Well a very relieved mother took Darrin home and gave him strict instruction as to what he would do from then on when school was out.
When the boys entered second grade they joined the Cub Scouts and became quite active in it for a while. This also got Dad and Mom involved. Dad first became an assistant Cub Master and then took his turn as a the Cub Master. Mom became a Den Mother and then went on to be the Den Mother leader. All of the Schapperts were quite active in Cub Scouting. As the Cub Master Arnold organized monthly paper drives in which the cubs were to collect newspapers from neighbors and friends and then bring them to school on a certain Saturdays and then sold. The pack raised so much money that they could have a special outting every month or two, such as trips to museums, swimming parties, etc. . Brian and Darrin also did quite well in the Pinewood Derby that was a annual event.
A Job For Laura
The Schapperts' got along fairly well for a while but still their finances were getting harder to manage. There were no unpaid bills and all bills were being paid on time, but at times it was a struggle, It was decided that Laurie needed to get a job. She wanted to still be home when the boys weren't in school though. She saw a help wanted add in the paper for school bus drivers. Yeah, it would let her be home when the boys were for the most part, but she just didn't know about driving one of those big yellow things around town. After talking to Darlene Jennings, a cousin who drove a bus she decided to apply. She had to train on large buses that were manual shifts. She just didn't know about that, but then thought it was kinda fun. However, she did ask for a small one which than was a van. Her first route was a special education route and most routes after that were Special ed. The first day on a route was quite an experience for her. She had one little tiny girl and one older girl that she sat together. As she went along the route she looked back and saw the older girl undressing that little girl changing her diaper. Oh! My! Now she had to stop the bus and redress that little one. Is this what its going to be like?! No doubt those two never sat together again. Laurie drove bus for 24 years, good and not so good weather. If she had only kept a diary of everything that happened on that job she could of wrote a book.
A Second Job For Arnold
Arnold also did his part to help keep the familys finances on an even keel by working second jobs after his regular one at Rockwell. When he first started he cleaned several smaller offices each night Most of the time he worked for Midwest Janitor and cleaned offices such as Life Investers and Wilson Packing. He also worked for a man named Carl Hoppy and cleaned the office of a company named Iowa Glass.
More Part Time Work for Arnold
Later on Arnold worked part time as a machinist for a company named Highway Equipment. This too was after his regular job at Rockwell. This was better paying then the Janitor jobs were. Arnold had a lot of experence in machine shops at his full time jobs at Rockwell and Iowa Manufacturing after he graduated from high school.
A Part Time Business
While Arnold was working part time at Highway Equipment and full time at Rockwell he enrolled in a correspondance course for refrigeration and air conditioning repair. Upon completion of that he quit the part time Highway equipment job. He opened up a part time business repairing refrigeraters and repairing and installing air conditioners. Arnold would do the repairing and installing after his Rockwell job and on week ends and Laurie would get parts and take orders .
As time went on the Rockwell employes voted to go on strike. Normally this would of meant trouble for the Schapperts, but this time it didn't. You see it was at the beginning of summer and Arnold had lots of orders to install air conditioners. So while his fellow employees at Rockwell were walking the picket line Arnold was installing Air Conditioners. Then the Rockwell workers voted to end their strike quicker then Arnold expected and he still had more orders to fill. So he called his boss at Rockwell and asked to take enough vacation time to complete his remaining orders.
As time went on the Rockwell employes voted to go on strike. Normally this would of meant trouble for the Schapperts, but this time it didn't. You see it was at the beginning of summer and Arnold had lots of orders to install air conditioners. So while his fellow employees at Rockwell were walking the picket line Arnold was installing Air Conditioners. Then the Rockwell workers voted to end their strike quicker then Arnold expected and he still had more orders to fill. So he called his boss at Rockwell and asked to take enough vacation time to complete his remaining orders.
It Was No Picnic For Laurie Neither
Besides driving school bus, helping Arnold with the refrigerator and air conditioning business, and managing all the familys needs. Laurie managed all the income property the family had which included collecting rent, cleaning, renting apartments after they became vacant, and doing most of the repairs that needed to be done. Yes, the Schapperts were a busy family, and Laurie has been a big part of it!!!
One More Move 1983
As Laurie went along her school bus route she would go past a house that had a for sale sign in the yard. She liked the looks of this house and told Arnold about it. They decided to talk to their realtor about it and he made arrangements to show them the whole house. Both Arnold and Laurie liked what they saw and decided to make an offer to buy it. After some bargaining the deal was made, and that's right, one more move. This they thought would be their last one. Brian was in high school at Washington High and Darrin was at Franklin Junior High. Both were doing well and each had their best friends. Arnold had gone back to doing Janitor work this time at Wilsons Packing after his full time job at Rockwell Collins. Laurie was still driving school Bus, but things were looking a little better for the Schapperts. As time went on the union at Wilsons voted to go on strike and Arnold knew that crossing their picket line meant nothing but big trouble. So he decided to quit the janitor job before the strike began. He needed a rest anyway. However, not long after that a friend that had his own janitor service ask Arnold to come and work for him and Arnold obliged. and his job was to clean the offices at Iowa Glass. However, that didn't last long because Arnold had hi first heart attack. He couldn't continue working the two jobs and had to take some time off at Rockwell. He recovered well and returned to work at Rockwell Collins but decided to not return to doing janitor work for a while.
From ChildHood into adult hood
As time went on the boys finished high school, Brian graduated first and then Darrin.
Brian decided to go on to college but needed to postpone it for a year to become better prepared financially, He worked part time at some restaurants. After one year of that he enrolled in Coe College. He did well working at earning degrees in both history and political science. While studying hard he managed to work part time as an attendant on the C. R. school buses. Some times he would be studying and typing away in the wee hours of the morning. Then his hours with the school district no longer worked in with his classes at Coe. Brian had to find other employment. He got a job at a convenient store, Kum and Go. He kept his job at Kum & Go while attending college and was handling it very well. He liked to work the over night shift because traffic was lighter then and he could do some studying and still do the duties of his job. But then at the beginning of his senior year, tragedy struck. On September 8th,1989 as Arnold was on his way to his job he passed the corner just a short ways away from the Kum & Go where Brian was working. As he did he looked towards Kum & Go and things didn't look right. Instead of going straight he turned and pulled in to the Kum & Go's drive. He saw that the store was roped off so he stopped. He thought about going in to see what was going on, but then decided it was best for him to go on to work and call Brian from there. When he got to work he set up his work station and then went to the phone. Instead of calling Brian he decided to call the police station. The officer that answered the phone told Arnold that he should go to Mercy Hospital. Arnold knew that something had happened to Brian. He pushed to find out what, but all the officer wanted to say was that he needed to go to Mercy Hospital. Finally Arnold was told that Brian had been shot. That upset Arnold very much and he slamed the phone down. After he managed to pull himself together he called Laurie and told her not to go to work. He was coming home and he would explain things then. When he started out the door to go home he saw two people that he worked with and told them what had happened. They didn't think it was a good idea for Arnold to drive home by himself so they took him. One drove his car and the other followed. and Arnold got home safely. Mean while Laurie got dressed, called her attendant, Charmaine that rode on her bus and told her she wouldn't be in to work. She told her something very bad happened to Brian or Darrin she didn't know which or what. That Arnie had told her to stay home. Laurie walked the living room floor praying Oh! God no! Oh! God no! Oh! God no! until Arnie got home and said something happened to Brian they had to go down to Mercy Hospital. Pastor Paul Widen from Valley View Baptist Church met them there. A catholic sister or a poiceman told them that Brian was killed....murdered....Laurie called Connie, Brian's girl friend. She came to Mercy. Laurie called Darrin who was in a mechanics school class in Des Moines,Ia. The Schapperts family life was turned upside down!!! Brian's throat had been slashed. He had been stabbed many many times in the back, the head and all over to make sure he would no longer live.
However, in spite of all the hurt and pain this caused the Schapperts, they learned that not every one in this world are evil. In fact there are a lot of very good people in this world. They were overwelmed with cards and acts of kindness, some from people they had never met before, and never even knew Brian.
The Schapperts don't feel the same about the Cedar Rapids Police dept. Some things that they learnd about Brian's murder and tried to tell the police were not accepted very well. At one point Arnold was told to butt out that they were better qualified than he was. When they asked for meetings with the police to learn about the investigation they were promised things that never happened. When Laurie asked some personal questions about Brian she was told she didn't need to know. Our
phone calls were not returned.
It's been almost twenty four years now since Brian was murdered and NO ONE has been arrested for this vicious hidous act to this date.
Brian decided to go on to college but needed to postpone it for a year to become better prepared financially, He worked part time at some restaurants. After one year of that he enrolled in Coe College. He did well working at earning degrees in both history and political science. While studying hard he managed to work part time as an attendant on the C. R. school buses. Some times he would be studying and typing away in the wee hours of the morning. Then his hours with the school district no longer worked in with his classes at Coe. Brian had to find other employment. He got a job at a convenient store, Kum and Go. He kept his job at Kum & Go while attending college and was handling it very well. He liked to work the over night shift because traffic was lighter then and he could do some studying and still do the duties of his job. But then at the beginning of his senior year, tragedy struck. On September 8th,1989 as Arnold was on his way to his job he passed the corner just a short ways away from the Kum & Go where Brian was working. As he did he looked towards Kum & Go and things didn't look right. Instead of going straight he turned and pulled in to the Kum & Go's drive. He saw that the store was roped off so he stopped. He thought about going in to see what was going on, but then decided it was best for him to go on to work and call Brian from there. When he got to work he set up his work station and then went to the phone. Instead of calling Brian he decided to call the police station. The officer that answered the phone told Arnold that he should go to Mercy Hospital. Arnold knew that something had happened to Brian. He pushed to find out what, but all the officer wanted to say was that he needed to go to Mercy Hospital. Finally Arnold was told that Brian had been shot. That upset Arnold very much and he slamed the phone down. After he managed to pull himself together he called Laurie and told her not to go to work. He was coming home and he would explain things then. When he started out the door to go home he saw two people that he worked with and told them what had happened. They didn't think it was a good idea for Arnold to drive home by himself so they took him. One drove his car and the other followed. and Arnold got home safely. Mean while Laurie got dressed, called her attendant, Charmaine that rode on her bus and told her she wouldn't be in to work. She told her something very bad happened to Brian or Darrin she didn't know which or what. That Arnie had told her to stay home. Laurie walked the living room floor praying Oh! God no! Oh! God no! Oh! God no! until Arnie got home and said something happened to Brian they had to go down to Mercy Hospital. Pastor Paul Widen from Valley View Baptist Church met them there. A catholic sister or a poiceman told them that Brian was killed....murdered....Laurie called Connie, Brian's girl friend. She came to Mercy. Laurie called Darrin who was in a mechanics school class in Des Moines,Ia. The Schapperts family life was turned upside down!!! Brian's throat had been slashed. He had been stabbed many many times in the back, the head and all over to make sure he would no longer live.
However, in spite of all the hurt and pain this caused the Schapperts, they learned that not every one in this world are evil. In fact there are a lot of very good people in this world. They were overwelmed with cards and acts of kindness, some from people they had never met before, and never even knew Brian.
The Schapperts don't feel the same about the Cedar Rapids Police dept. Some things that they learnd about Brian's murder and tried to tell the police were not accepted very well. At one point Arnold was told to butt out that they were better qualified than he was. When they asked for meetings with the police to learn about the investigation they were promised things that never happened. When Laurie asked some personal questions about Brian she was told she didn't need to know. Our
phone calls were not returned.
It's been almost twenty four years now since Brian was murdered and NO ONE has been arrested for this vicious hidous act to this date.
Darrin's Life in the real world
Before Darrin graduated from high school he decided he wanted to join the Army Reserves, but he would only be 17 years old. and unless he was 18 his parents had to give permision for him to do so. This was no problem for Arnold, but when it came to Laura it was a different story. She did not want to do this. But after a lot of persuasion she felt forced to do so. So Darrin finished high school and graduated. Then off to Fort Benning for his basic training. Things went well for him up until one day
when Laura had stayed home sick from work. Darrin called home and said I'm in the hospital and they won't tell me why or
what happened. The side of my head is scraped. I keep asking what
happened and they won't tell me. Laurie found out he was in an accident
on base. A vehicle had rolled and he was thrown out and had received a
concussion. They wanted him to remember what had happened. His name
etc. Laurie didn't know how he knew the number to call home or if they gave it to him. On parents day when Arnold and Laura visited Ft. Benning the Drill Sargent told them what happened and they thought they had lost him as he didn't know his name or anything. Well, Darrin recovered and finished his Basic Training, and said I never want to see any more of that red clay again. The ground at Ft, Benning is nothing but red clay. After he was home for awhile he was given the opportunity to go to jump School. At first he really thought that would be a good idea. So he signed up for it, and where did he go? Back to Ft. Benning and all that red clay. That was another time he called home before his first jump. He said he didn't know why he ever signed up for that. Scared. However, he did jump out of five perfectly good airplanes. After that he spent 2 weeks a year on duty and one weekend a mouth until getting out after his second hitch. He was a sharp looking army soldier, but guess who sewed those patches on!.
After that he went to mechanics school in DesMoines, Ia. working part time at a gas station. then he worked a short time for a car dealership in Iowa City. But found out that was not what he wanted to do.
He then applied at IBP in Oxford Junction and one day called home on the foggiest night Mom ever drove in. Said his windshield wiper didn't work or lost it. Mom couldn't get anyone to ride down with her. She had never been down there before. She watched the white line along the side of the road. It seemed like hundreds of miles. Picked him up. Was so good to have him in the car with her coming back. Just south of Cedar Rapids a deer Jumped in front of the car by the left head light. Smashed the side of the car. Couldn't open the drivers side door. Thry were afraid the deer might have landed in the road and someone else would hit it. So they pulled into the rest area and called
the police and told them about it. Ahter that he worked at IBP in Waterloo for a while. He had worked there for a year, He learned that Amana Refrigeration was hiring so he took the one week vacation he had coming and applied there. He was hired and has worked there ever since. Darrin bought a small house south of Shueyville. He said that was all he needed. He was never going to get married. Don't say never! It wasn't long he had a girl friend that he met while working at Amana Refrigeration. and they were married on Aug. 1st 1993.
They lived in that little house that Darrin bought up until a short time ago when they built a new two bedroom, attached garage and a larger garage next to it. The rest can be his story!!!!!
when Laura had stayed home sick from work. Darrin called home and said I'm in the hospital and they won't tell me why or
what happened. The side of my head is scraped. I keep asking what
happened and they won't tell me. Laurie found out he was in an accident
on base. A vehicle had rolled and he was thrown out and had received a
concussion. They wanted him to remember what had happened. His name
etc. Laurie didn't know how he knew the number to call home or if they gave it to him. On parents day when Arnold and Laura visited Ft. Benning the Drill Sargent told them what happened and they thought they had lost him as he didn't know his name or anything. Well, Darrin recovered and finished his Basic Training, and said I never want to see any more of that red clay again. The ground at Ft, Benning is nothing but red clay. After he was home for awhile he was given the opportunity to go to jump School. At first he really thought that would be a good idea. So he signed up for it, and where did he go? Back to Ft. Benning and all that red clay. That was another time he called home before his first jump. He said he didn't know why he ever signed up for that. Scared. However, he did jump out of five perfectly good airplanes. After that he spent 2 weeks a year on duty and one weekend a mouth until getting out after his second hitch. He was a sharp looking army soldier, but guess who sewed those patches on!.
After that he went to mechanics school in DesMoines, Ia. working part time at a gas station. then he worked a short time for a car dealership in Iowa City. But found out that was not what he wanted to do.
He then applied at IBP in Oxford Junction and one day called home on the foggiest night Mom ever drove in. Said his windshield wiper didn't work or lost it. Mom couldn't get anyone to ride down with her. She had never been down there before. She watched the white line along the side of the road. It seemed like hundreds of miles. Picked him up. Was so good to have him in the car with her coming back. Just south of Cedar Rapids a deer Jumped in front of the car by the left head light. Smashed the side of the car. Couldn't open the drivers side door. Thry were afraid the deer might have landed in the road and someone else would hit it. So they pulled into the rest area and called
the police and told them about it. Ahter that he worked at IBP in Waterloo for a while. He had worked there for a year, He learned that Amana Refrigeration was hiring so he took the one week vacation he had coming and applied there. He was hired and has worked there ever since. Darrin bought a small house south of Shueyville. He said that was all he needed. He was never going to get married. Don't say never! It wasn't long he had a girl friend that he met while working at Amana Refrigeration. and they were married on Aug. 1st 1993.
They lived in that little house that Darrin bought up until a short time ago when they built a new two bedroom, attached garage and a larger garage next to it. The rest can be his story!!!!!
Laura Retired
Oh! Happy Days!!! She forgot what it was like to not get up at 4:50 all week long. But it didn't take her long to get use to staying up late at night and arising late in the morning. The rest of the family were in bed when she left to go drive the bus. Now its her turn.
The kitchen needed new flooring and cabinets. The drawers were kinda getting to fall together, counldn't have that. She put ceramic tile down and many new cabinets. They didn't know what it was like to have a place to put everything away. There Was a new island on wheels that was handy storage and also counter tops. What a difference. A showers was put in the bath upstairs and a new shower down and new carpet in the living room and hall. They had flowers galore. Then Laurie decided it was time to put a fresh coat of paint on the deer (artificial deer) These deer a dad, mom, 2 boy deer, and a baby and a flag pole were added in memory of Brian. He was a lover of animals. Some times there were 13 real ones in the backyard. Some sleeping over night there. Back to painting the deer, they were on river rock to help preserve them and the paint. When she was done painting the deer she ended up with a torn tendon in her foot. Surgery was done and with her diabetes infection entered in. It took 2 years to heal. Praise the Lord for new inventions. She was able to use a scooter with the bad foot and leg resting on it and pushing with the right foot. That was her mode of transportation getting around inside and out. Wasn't too convenient in the winter.
Sister, Faye's health wasn't as good at this time and then she needed a driver to get to W'loo. but everything did work out. Laurie knew Faye was going to be leaving us and Faye was worrying about how Laurie was going to get along. She was the last sibling able to talk about family. She was missed.
Say what! Talking about moving from Memorial Dr.? Not ready for that, loved the place and the good neighbors. Lot of memories! That's what happened and went sooo quick. Now to a condo!? Retiring! Retiring! Not old enough! Young at least her mind says so. Its just the body! Look how the Lord has helped out so far~~~~`
The kitchen needed new flooring and cabinets. The drawers were kinda getting to fall together, counldn't have that. She put ceramic tile down and many new cabinets. They didn't know what it was like to have a place to put everything away. There Was a new island on wheels that was handy storage and also counter tops. What a difference. A showers was put in the bath upstairs and a new shower down and new carpet in the living room and hall. They had flowers galore. Then Laurie decided it was time to put a fresh coat of paint on the deer (artificial deer) These deer a dad, mom, 2 boy deer, and a baby and a flag pole were added in memory of Brian. He was a lover of animals. Some times there were 13 real ones in the backyard. Some sleeping over night there. Back to painting the deer, they were on river rock to help preserve them and the paint. When she was done painting the deer she ended up with a torn tendon in her foot. Surgery was done and with her diabetes infection entered in. It took 2 years to heal. Praise the Lord for new inventions. She was able to use a scooter with the bad foot and leg resting on it and pushing with the right foot. That was her mode of transportation getting around inside and out. Wasn't too convenient in the winter.
Sister, Faye's health wasn't as good at this time and then she needed a driver to get to W'loo. but everything did work out. Laurie knew Faye was going to be leaving us and Faye was worrying about how Laurie was going to get along. She was the last sibling able to talk about family. She was missed.
Say what! Talking about moving from Memorial Dr.? Not ready for that, loved the place and the good neighbors. Lot of memories! That's what happened and went sooo quick. Now to a condo!? Retiring! Retiring! Not old enough! Young at least her mind says so. Its just the body! Look how the Lord has helped out so far~~~~`
Arnold Retired
The Last Working day of 1990 at Rockwell Collin was Arnolds last day at Rockwell Collins. He had worked there for twenty Seven years. He started there as a janator on the third shift, and when the oportunity came he bid on a job as a Drill Press Operater and Most or his first 18 years at Rockwell that was his job, but once in a while when work got slow he would get bumped and he would have to go back as a janator or go to some other department such as assembly, deburing, plating, the paint shop or plastics, all lower paying jobs and not much fun for Arnold, But then there was times when the work load was real good and he bid on jobs as a Engine Lathe Operater or a Milling Machine Operater etc. Arnold always liked working in the machine shop and if he ever won the Lottory or became rich in some other way he would have a machine shop of his own.
After He had worked there for 18 years, that was when Rockwell International bought out Art Collins the founder of the company and the name was changed from Collins Radio to Rockwell Collins. That was also when Arnold could no longer hold a job in the machine shop. Rockwell reduced the size of the machine shop to almost nothing and farmed the work out to other places. Arnold thought he was going out the door. But then after bouncing around in several areas as a stock attendent Rockwell put in an automated distribution system and needed some one to operate it. Nobody wanted that job. The word automated scared them, but not Arnold, that was just what he wanted. However, it was set up with too small of a computer and if you over worked it the whole thing would crash and all the data would be lost. Arnold learned just how hard he could work the machine and got pretty good at keeping it running. Because he was the only one that ran it he got all the over time. The company and the union tried to have others rotat on that job with Arnold but by that time the work load was up to speed and it was hard for others to keep things going and not crashing the computer. That was Arnold's last job at Rockwell. The Company decided to buy him and others out that had more then a certain amount of time in and hire younger people at a lower rate of pay
After Arnold left Roclwell he wanted to go out to Kurkwood Comunity College and learn to be a truck driver. He didn't want to do it the rest of his live but he thought it wiuld be fun to push one of them big rigs across country. He liked the thought of being big and powerfull. But Laura didn't like the idea so Arnold forgot about it and stayed home for about two or three months. But that got kind of boring all though he was getting, well some of the honeydos done. One of them honeydos was replacing the garbage disposal and Arnold was not having any fun. Every time he thought he had it in it wiuld leak finally he got it in and working as it should, but that's when he decided that he should not have that much time to be doing things like that and the next day he got himself a job. His first job after he left Rockwell was driving a pickup delivering and picking up part for a hydrolics repair company, other jobs were delivering and picking up film for Qualex, managing a courier co. pumping gas at a couple filling Stations, delivering flowers and for the last 14 years he has been a school bus attendent. When people ask him way he is still working he tells them that he just dosen't kmow what he want's to do when he grows up, and Laurie says she don't think he will ever grow up.
NOW THAT'S HIS STORY AND HE'S STICKING TO IT!!!!
After He had worked there for 18 years, that was when Rockwell International bought out Art Collins the founder of the company and the name was changed from Collins Radio to Rockwell Collins. That was also when Arnold could no longer hold a job in the machine shop. Rockwell reduced the size of the machine shop to almost nothing and farmed the work out to other places. Arnold thought he was going out the door. But then after bouncing around in several areas as a stock attendent Rockwell put in an automated distribution system and needed some one to operate it. Nobody wanted that job. The word automated scared them, but not Arnold, that was just what he wanted. However, it was set up with too small of a computer and if you over worked it the whole thing would crash and all the data would be lost. Arnold learned just how hard he could work the machine and got pretty good at keeping it running. Because he was the only one that ran it he got all the over time. The company and the union tried to have others rotat on that job with Arnold but by that time the work load was up to speed and it was hard for others to keep things going and not crashing the computer. That was Arnold's last job at Rockwell. The Company decided to buy him and others out that had more then a certain amount of time in and hire younger people at a lower rate of pay
After Arnold left Roclwell he wanted to go out to Kurkwood Comunity College and learn to be a truck driver. He didn't want to do it the rest of his live but he thought it wiuld be fun to push one of them big rigs across country. He liked the thought of being big and powerfull. But Laura didn't like the idea so Arnold forgot about it and stayed home for about two or three months. But that got kind of boring all though he was getting, well some of the honeydos done. One of them honeydos was replacing the garbage disposal and Arnold was not having any fun. Every time he thought he had it in it wiuld leak finally he got it in and working as it should, but that's when he decided that he should not have that much time to be doing things like that and the next day he got himself a job. His first job after he left Rockwell was driving a pickup delivering and picking up part for a hydrolics repair company, other jobs were delivering and picking up film for Qualex, managing a courier co. pumping gas at a couple filling Stations, delivering flowers and for the last 14 years he has been a school bus attendent. When people ask him way he is still working he tells them that he just dosen't kmow what he want's to do when he grows up, and Laurie says she don't think he will ever grow up.
NOW THAT'S HIS STORY AND HE'S STICKING TO IT!!!!
ONE LAST MOVE
Yep, They thought they had moved for the last tiime when they moved to their home on Memorial Dr, but as they got older it became harder and harder for them to maintain it as they needed to and those basment steps was getting harder and harder for Laurie to climb when she did the laundry. It wasn't an easy decision but one that needed to be made.
They enjoyed looking for their new home, (a condo) but Arnold thought they should wait until spring because that is when it would be easier for them to sale their home on Memorial Dr. But Laura and the realtor talked him into listing it then even though it was getting close to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Well as it turned out that was a perfect time to list it. Yes the buyers were few and there was only one or two at the open houses, but as it turned out that's all they needed. The 5th family that looked at it bought it and at the same price that Arnold and Laura was asking.
Wasn't that great? Ya, well kind of, but they still hadn't found a condo that they liked and could afford, and now the pressure was on. They only had a short time to do so. Finally they narrowed it down to two. Actually one and another one that was priced what they thought was a little high but a little nicer. So they were about to make an offer on the first one when the realtor asked would you like to look at the other one one more time, which they did but really thought they would get the first one. Then the relitor said if you really would like to have this one, make a one time offer at your price, take it or leave it. which they did. still think it would never be accepted. A couple of days went by and finally the realitor came back and said guess what, You have just bought your self a condo. It was unbelievable The offer was lots and lots lower then the asking price and she took it,
Then came the next big challenge, packing and moving. When you've lived in a house for 27 years, you accumulate more things then you ever think you have and it all has to go one way or the other. A couple yard sales took care of some of it but not nearly all, and what do you get rid of and what do you keep? They got rid of what they could and the rest had to be packed and moved. Darrin and Angie was a big help doing the packing. Moving day was set for January 5th and Arnold kept wondering what the weather would be like that day. Would there be a big snow storm? But no, there wasn't a snow storm, and it was a nice warmer then normal winter day. Now, who was going to help them move. They had hired a moving co. but they needed some extra help. They were promisd help from the men at there church but when it came time to start moving, only two had showed up and one of them would have to leave in a short while. Arnold got a big lump in the throat and closed his eyes and prayed Lord help me I've got all this stuff to move and I need help. The lord did just that. One by One more help arrived, infact if any more came they would of been running in to each other.
After the move was completed everything had to be unpacked and put in place again. Their daughter in law was a big help . Arnold and Laura would like to thank every one that helped that day and before and after.
They enjoyed looking for their new home, (a condo) but Arnold thought they should wait until spring because that is when it would be easier for them to sale their home on Memorial Dr. But Laura and the realtor talked him into listing it then even though it was getting close to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Well as it turned out that was a perfect time to list it. Yes the buyers were few and there was only one or two at the open houses, but as it turned out that's all they needed. The 5th family that looked at it bought it and at the same price that Arnold and Laura was asking.
Wasn't that great? Ya, well kind of, but they still hadn't found a condo that they liked and could afford, and now the pressure was on. They only had a short time to do so. Finally they narrowed it down to two. Actually one and another one that was priced what they thought was a little high but a little nicer. So they were about to make an offer on the first one when the realtor asked would you like to look at the other one one more time, which they did but really thought they would get the first one. Then the relitor said if you really would like to have this one, make a one time offer at your price, take it or leave it. which they did. still think it would never be accepted. A couple of days went by and finally the realitor came back and said guess what, You have just bought your self a condo. It was unbelievable The offer was lots and lots lower then the asking price and she took it,
Then came the next big challenge, packing and moving. When you've lived in a house for 27 years, you accumulate more things then you ever think you have and it all has to go one way or the other. A couple yard sales took care of some of it but not nearly all, and what do you get rid of and what do you keep? They got rid of what they could and the rest had to be packed and moved. Darrin and Angie was a big help doing the packing. Moving day was set for January 5th and Arnold kept wondering what the weather would be like that day. Would there be a big snow storm? But no, there wasn't a snow storm, and it was a nice warmer then normal winter day. Now, who was going to help them move. They had hired a moving co. but they needed some extra help. They were promisd help from the men at there church but when it came time to start moving, only two had showed up and one of them would have to leave in a short while. Arnold got a big lump in the throat and closed his eyes and prayed Lord help me I've got all this stuff to move and I need help. The lord did just that. One by One more help arrived, infact if any more came they would of been running in to each other.
After the move was completed everything had to be unpacked and put in place again. Their daughter in law was a big help . Arnold and Laura would like to thank every one that helped that day and before and after.