Chapter 39
The Final Chapter -
The Next Generation

At the time of the writing of this book by family of six children has grown into the next generation of eleven grandchildren.

Our son Kenneth was employed in the oil fields after leaving school and later became an engineering consultant. He married Judy Hovind in 1963, and their son Allan was born in 1964. Allan excelled in athletics all through school just like his father. He became a radio broadcaster after graduating from high school, and is now in advertising sales for a Dauphin, Manitoba radio station. He and his wife, Bev, are expecting their first child.

My daughter Lorraine graduated in 1962, and was married that July to Mervin Statler. They lived in a trailer in our farmyard, later moving to Moose Jaw, and finally to Medicine Hat in the fall of 1971. Lorraine spent a lot of time with her mother while they were living in Midale and her children, Kenneth's son Allan and Carol's children were very fond of their grandmother. I'm sure Natalie's death left a big void in all their lives, and was especially difficult for Lorraine, moving to Medicine Hat so soon after. Lorraine is employed by the Sun Life Insurance Company in Medicine Hat. She is a talented seamstress and has recently acquired an interest in doing crafts. She is very active in and committed to her church. She has four children, Angela, Andrea, Mark and Jason. Angela lives in Calgary with her husband, Keith Parrot. She is employed by the City of Calgary as a secretary, Keith is a Civil Engineer, Angela is a talented pianist - she is also involved with the humane society, looking after homeless animals. Lorraine's second daughter, Andrea, became a nursing assistant in a special care home after graduation. She is currently studying foreign languages and plans to attend the University of Edmonton in the faculty of Education. Mark is the eldest of Lorraine's two sons and has a journeyman's certificate in motorcycle mechanics. He has been interested in motor bikes since he was very young, and spent time each summer dirt bike riding with his cousin Marcel. He has hopes of obtaining a journeyman's certificate in Motor Vehicle Repair, and establishing his own business in Medicine Hat sometime in the future. Mark is a talented guitarist, and plays at their church. Jason, the youngest son, particularly enjoyed high school football. He graduated in 1989 in Medicine Hat and will be attending college there to become a Recreation Technologist.

Carol married Marcel Van De Woestyne in 1965 and has a family of three children. In 1979 Marcel was killed in an automobile accident while visiting relatives in Belgium, leaving Carol to raise her family alone. Carol was always talented in music from the earliest years. She played piano and accordion while in school, sang in the school and church choirs, and played organ and piano at church. After she was married, she began playing guitar, and sang for a period of years with Glory Anne Carriere. She is organist and liturgist in her church in Benson. She took a year of University classes and some secretarial training. She still lives on the farm at Benson and works in Estevan as a secretary. Her daughter Lisa is also very talented in music and pursued a musical education in the United States after high school. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education with distinction in 1988. She is married to John Fielder, and they currently live in Red Deer, Alberta. Lisa is employed at the Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer as a high school Choral and English teacher. Her husband John is employed as an aircraft mechanic. They do not have any children. Carol's eldest son, Marcel, pursued his greatest interest, mechanics, after high school, and obtained his journeyman's status in Motor Vehicle repair in 1990. He is employed as a mechanic at Roy's Transmission in Estevan. Marcel enjoyed sports all through school and did especially well in curling in high school and later, winning the Estevan Curling Club trophy one year. He was also involved in dirt bike racing for a period of years.

The youngest son, Chris, followed in the athletic tradition, excelling in curling as well. His team competed in the provincial playdowns three consecutive years. After graduation Chris pursued a career in radio, and is currently employed as a broadcaster at an FM station in Brandon, Manitoba.

My son, Charles, is married to Fadiah Mustapha and they have three sons, Charles Jr., Kevin and Brian. They are the third generation of Trumans to occupy the home farm at Midale. Charlie took chartered accounting for a period of time in the early 70's, later moving to Toronto where he was employed as an accountant. He met his wife Fadian while living there. Charlie was always interested in photography and in the late seventies, he and Fadiah moved to Edmonton, where he set up his own photography business. He has many beautiful pictures to his credit. Fadiah is a talented Esthetician and worked at this while living in Edmonton. Upon my retirement from farming in 1980, Charlie and Fadiah moved to the family farm at Midale, and live there now. On December 28, 1983 Charles David was born in Weyburn Union Hospital. He was strong and lively almost from birth. In June, 1985, Fadiah's sisters, along with Fadiah and son Charles, visited Trinidad with their parents and families. Kevin Daniel was born on July 5, 1986 in Winnipeg, and Brian Michael in Regina on April 20, 1989. They are all active little boys, with inquisitive minds. All three of them are seasoned travelers already flying to Toronto with their mother to visit her family. Charles and Kevin have many interesting stories to tell, even at a very early age. Some of my most pleasant hours are spent visiting and watching these little boys grow and learn. They are, I believe, very fond of their Grandpa and it gives me great joy to visit with them when I am there.

My son Robert attended the University of Saskatchewan for one year after high school in 1971-72. He worked as a radio broadcaster in Weyburn and later moved to Medicine Hat where he worked in radio, television and newspaper advertising. Robert excels in public relations, and utilized these skills in building up a successful music business in Medicine Hat. He has since moved to Calgary, where he now operates his own private music company. He enjoys stock car racing in Calgary, driving a Chevy Nova rebuilt by my grandson, Marcel Van De Woestyne. Robert has been married but does not have any children.

My son Michael moved to Medicine Hat immediately after graduation in 1974. He worked as a surveyor, and later in an office equipment store. Michael had a natural talent for art, and set up a studio in his home in Medicine Hat. His works reflect his individualism, and he gained recognition as an artist when some of his pieces were part of national displays. He is also very interested in music and enjoys playing his synthesizer. He and his wife Joanne have two children from Joanne's previous marriage. Michael is currently employed at a garden supply centre in Medicine Hat, and is studying by correspondence for his degree in Horticulture from the University of Guelph.