Dean-Vegter Heritage

Fall Formal, Watertown, 1971

Dating
October 3, 1971-August 3, 1973

John had a sister whom he said I might like. Said I wasn't interested: studies and soccer. We agreed to meet at a concert. Never had dated, but decided in 2 days I would marry Kathy. Didn't tell her, though. Spent weekends at Kathy's sister Dianna's in Emerald Grove, east of Janesville. Dianna and Daryl had restored a one room school house. Huge upstairs room with a trampoline. Dianna's pastor asked me if I wanted to work for him, so we wound up in Janesville. Kathy went to Florida for the summer of 1972 and returned to Watertown, only because I was there. We became engaged, January 19, 1973. She went home in February to save money for marriage, worked 2 jobs, and returned to Janesville, June 1973. We agreed to stop dating on August 3, 1973.

Spring, Watertown, 1972

Winter, Watertown, 1971

Valentines, Watertown, 1972

Dianna's, Emerald Grove, 1972

Williams Bay, Summer, 1972

Sterling, August, 1972

Vegters picked us up in Sterling

Mom, Susan, Bill, Dad, Steve, Kathy, Dianna, Daryl

Rock Cut State Park, November, 1972

Met my parents for a Sunday afternoon picnic. Blue Ford Falcon my dad loaned us is visible in photo top right.

Fruit Basket
Kathy, Susan, Bill, Carol
Introduced to a Vegter Christmas tradition. The kids filled a sled with fruit and juice for a gift and treat for the whole familiy. Yet another sign that our families had nearly identical values: happiness over a gift so simple and wholesome.

Vero Beach, Florida, December 1972
"Sisters" (especially so many) was a brand new experience. Written on the back of this pic: "We caught Bill and buried him, he couldn't get out!!"

"Get the Germitrol"
Had an infected toenail in Florida. The younger sisters hollered excitedly, "Germitrol. Get the Germitrol." Old Vegter family home remedy, I deduced. Wow! Did it burn! And burn! Worked so well I asked to see the bottle. "Holy Cow! Toilet Bowl Cleaner!" Never had any more trouble with that infection.