Virginia 'Ginny' Kloezeman Lakey

Putting first hubby through school
mother of several small children
Energy Program Director/Community Action Services
Real Estate Investor
Home Stager
Grandma (44, 3 birth greats + 3 extras I claim) 9 children, 5 "steps", though I claim them all.

In order
South Pasadena
Provo, Utah
South Pasadena
Woodland Hills, Utah
Provo, Utah
shortly Orem, Utah (widowed and downsizing)

My father, born in the U.S. returned to Holland with his family as a teenager. At 19, he worked his way back to the U.S. on a steamship and was immediately hired by the city of South Pasadena. He was one of three men the city was allowed to exempt from service during the war to continue working for the city (the city manager, Frank Stoney and Dad). He served on the Park Department, the Fire Department including driving the ambulance before the days of EMT's and spent the bulk of those years working for the water department.He retired after working for the city for 47 years.
After their marriage both of my parents lived the remainder of their lives in South Pasadena (on Hawthorne st.) Waving at the Union Pacific trains across the street from our house was such a tradition that after my father died and the conductor missed the greeting as they went by, the train actually stopped and the conductor came over to the house to see if all was well. They were saddened to learn of his passing.
My brother Bill has lived in South Pasadena all his life and raised his children in the town.
I returned to South Pasadena for five years after my divorce. I was P.T.A. President of El Centro School during the last two years of its existence under the Principalship of Betty Cowan, who had been my sixth grade teacher. One of my children was born while I lived here and my older four children attended elementary school at El Centro and Arroyo Vista. I returned to Provo, Utah upon remarriage and have lived here since.

brother--Bill Kloezeman-'61

I have not been very good at keeping up with old friends. Some have been kind (Anne Kopp regularly sends me birthday greetings) and have sent notes from time to time. For many years I was immersed in parenting so completely that other interests took a back seat. All of my children spent at least a year (and most spent four years) on the Provo High Cross Country team. I attended many a race and many track meets with two or three toddlers along. So I have thought of many friends often, but communicated rarely. The only reunion attended may be the 50th if all works well. Which in itself is unbelievable that so much time has gone by. Only the body aches convince me that I am not in my late teens or early twenties. (Oh, yes, the gray hair helps keep me grounded in reality, too.)

I enjoyed learning and going to the school's football games. Most of my social activities during High School years were with friends from my local and regional church. I was part of a church youth choir and we were all good friends.
I attended a church class before school each day (seminary) and somehow didn't end up in classes with the friends I had made in both elementary and junior high schools.
I was a lab assistant in Carl Gruhn's (sp?) physics class and both he and Miss Steele (math) were among my favorite teachers. Of course, Mr. Goto (sp?) was another who both taught us well and entertained us well.
I also remember the San Marino voodoo doll that was full of pins each annual game with that special rival. And, of course, the speculation that the Spanish teachers sports car was bought with her nickels from her "gum in class jar".

We often had "extras" living at our house. We had a large home and friends of our children or friends of us through the years have needed a place to "hang their hat" and have always been welcome.

My husband was always memorable as "Santa" for which I made him a suit and made several "elf" costumes as well. We spent every Christmas of our marriage (34 yrs.) playing Santa for households that needed a little extra love. The extended family is now learning to adapt that spirit of giving in slightly different ways since losing the man with the white beard. None of the boys have yet felt able to step in to the boots he left behind.

I have moved to a condo since the passing of my husband. I keep busy with children and grandchildren, many of whom live near. In addition, I am serving from my home as a part-time missionary in family history. I am able to assist others in family history research, which is an important part of our church doctrine.