I met Orlando Goertzen at a community chorus in Newton, Kansas. We dated a while and married on August 8, 1958. We moved into a basement apartment in North Newton, and after college Orlando got a job at the Mennonite Press in North Newton.
In May of 1959, our first daughter Teresa Lynne, was born. During my pregnancy I continued working but after she was born I stayed home. When the General Conference had work I could do at home, I would help them out.
Teresa was a very content baby, slept well and if her tummy was full, she was happy. A great beginning for my first child.
On August 31, 1961, Carolyn Anne came on the scene. We needed more room, so we moved our family to a four-room house on 24th Street in North Newton. We put both girls in one room, and we had a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The house had a full, unfinished basement, so we had plenty of room. We had a garden area and a play swing in the side yard.
After a couple years of living there, we decided to have a house built a few blocks away on 22nd Street. On February 16, 1964, our third daughter, Cynthia Jo, was born. She basically arrived on moving day. We had a number of people help us move, and after a day was done we headed to the hospital. She was born shortly after midnight the next day.
Six years later, on November 12, 1970, Sandra Kyle was born so once again our bedrooms were full.
Four daughters, each very different from the others. Teresa was the studious one, loved to read, and as a young child was happy with a book in her hands. Carolyn was a little more active, athletic, and a little more like a tomboy. Cindy was into singing, reading, and looking after her little sister. Sandra, also a singer, was vying for attention from whoever gave it to her. They have all grown up to be wonderful women and have found their places in the world.
