Grandma

Hearing about Barack Obama seeing his seriously ill grandma and her influence on him got me to thinking about the grandma on my Dad's side, Agnes Strukel.

Growing up in Massillon, once a month, my family would drive either early Saturday or Sunday to Warren, Ohio to see Grandma. On the way there, we would always listen to polka shows on staticky AM radio.

Some background on Grandma Strukel. She spoke broken English but well enough to understand. For example, for my birthday, she would say, "Happy Bird-day!" instead of Happy Birthday. I looked forward to hearing that every year. I still use that "happy bird-day" everytime I wish my Mom or Dad a happy birthday on their day. When I was younger, I remember Grandma always saying, "You're breakin' my bones...you're breakin' my bones" when I would hug her.

Grandma Strukel worked I believe 40 years (at least) for Packard Electric in Warren. After retiring from Packard Electric, she then worked for the local Catholic church, cleaning pews and other parts of the building.

She was what we would say is "old country." Very ethnic. Very religious. Very good work ethic.

Regarding her ethnicity, when we would visit her, she would give us these long rolls of aluminum foil wrapped nut bread called potica or patitsa. I never cared for it but Grandma was so happy and proud to give us those homemade treats. She always gave me and my brother money too. When she got to be in her older years, the local priest would visit and give her Communion.

Going into my senior year at BG, Grandma passed away. When our family went to the funeral, the priest who went to her apartment so many times to give her Communion, presided over the funeral. Father Spiszak talked about how when he would go visit Agnes, she would talk so much about her grandsons (me and my older brother Dan). The priest said she was always so proud of her grandsons. That has always stayed with me.

What fond memories do you have of your grandma?