Barbara Fridley Potts wrote recently that while she was on the web she read the Ottumwa Courier death notice of Elna Papich,age 94, who died in Feb. and was formerly of Lovilia. I know she signed my mom’s little red book from high school, Barb recalls.
In your Under the Water Tower I read the article of Mary Chamberlain (posted Nov. 20, 2010). she and my mom must have know each other. The article mentioned Rex 4 mine and Buxton coal mine. My mom grew up at Rex 4 and 5. She also lived on a farm in Lovilia. Her dad George was killed in the mine when she was 15 years old. Mary Kollar, mom’s mother stayed at the farm and I think had berries, a cow, and had hired men to help her with the farm. Mom talked about the big breakfast grandma fixed for the men. It was the main meal for the day. Mom said her first friend was Margaret Johnson from Rex 5.
Please let Mary Chamberlain know that someone does care and enjoyed hearing of her life in Lovilia.
My mother was Elvira Anne Kollar Fridley, born February 19, 1914 at Buxton, Iowa and she died March 1, 2002.
Mom always had fond memories of her childhood in Lovilia. Mary Hreha Kollar was her mother. Her dad was Andrew Hreha. Her sister was Emma Hreha Konovich. They are buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa. One friend mom mentioned was Margaret O’Brien.
We visited Iowa in 1996 and saw Lovilia, Albia, and the surrounding areas. We could not find the farm but I think we were close. Visited the St. Peter’s cemetery and went by the Church.
Mom said George and Mary Kollar were the first couple to be married in St. Peter’s. When granpa died she said the service was one of the largest attended.
Mom went to nursing school in Iowa and was a RN until she retired in 1968. She loved her nursing and made lifelong friendships.
She married in 1936 in Centerville, Iowa to Bert H. Fridley. He later died in 1971. Dad had various jobs one of which was in Centerville at the newspaper and the mill.
They had four girl: Beverly, Mary, Barbara, and Patricia. Mary died in 2007. the family lived in Des Moines until 1948, then moved to Arizona for one year, and the to Los Angeles, California. We all stayed in California.
“I wish of course she was still here to tell you first hand the stories. All I know is she and I have fond feelings for Iowa”, says Barbara.
Thanks for writing Barbara. We love to hear from people who love their Lovilia roots.