THE LEGACY OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

The "legacy" of families and communities working together is the inheritance my grandparents, parents, and the Finnish immigrants who settled in Maple, WI gave to me. My grandparents, Konsta and Mary, farmed 160 acres of red clay and tended to a herd of 15 to 20 dairy cows.  Konsta's brother, Charlie, lived and worked with them.  One of Mary's brothers, Willard, who was born with disabilities also lived with them and contributed to the well-being of a family working together.  They needed each other. My grandparents needed help with the rigorous work of farming.   Charlie and Willard needed work and a home.  This deep sense of responsibi...