Dean-Hey Heritage

Elbert on porch of his landlady,
Minnie Wulfjen,
805 Walnut, Colorado City.

Having answered an ad for a room, Dad called at 805 Walnut, Colorado City. As Dad was moving in, the classy, widowed owner, Minnie Wulfjen, appeared with bags packed, heading out. She said, "Dean honey, take care. I'm going to Dallas to visit my son. I'll be back in six weeks." Dumbfounded that Minnie left her house to a total stranger for six weeks, Dad asked her upon her return, "Minnie, why did you trust me like that?" Minnie said, "Dean, it was the first thing you moved in—that big Bible." Dad replied, "But Minnie, I don't read it."

Reporting weekly for evening naval reserve meetings, Dad took Minnie with him to see her sister. Before the roundtrip to Abilene, Dad asked, "Minnie, jeep top down or up tonight?" Minnie would say, "Top down." Minnie wrapped her beautiful, silver gray hair in a scarf, and away they went. Before dropping Minnie at her sister's, Minnie bought them both supper at the Chicken Shack."

Elbert Dean, Jr., 1952
Likely taken on a Sunday afternoon when driving back to Merkel for a few hours.

Bags packed, Dad was leaving for Midland, Texas and his job with the Texas-New Mexico Pipeline co. Dad took the job after finishing at Draughn's Business College. Dad worked in payroll and managed a Dairy Queen evenings and weekends. Tired of office work and with too much time alone, he returned to Merkel to work in a lumber yard where he worked when we met. (Recollection by Mom)

Elbert Dean, Jr.,
Leaving for Midland