 1921 - 2013 (91 years)
-
| Name |
Virginia Ann GRIST |
| Born |
25 Jul 1921 |
Minneapolis, MN  |
| Gender |
Female |
| Census |
1930 |
Minneapolis, MN [1] |
- Age 8, living with parents, Gladys and Franklin, and siblings, James and Grace. Also a servant, Louise Bertrand age 17.
|
| Residence |
1938 |
24 Winona Ct., Appleton, WI [2] |
|
|
| Residence |
1938 |
24 Winona Ct., Appleton, WI [3] |
| Census |
1940 |
Appleton, WI [4] |
- 24 Winona Ct.; Franklin, Gladys, Virginia, Jim, Grace Louise, John R. They had a maid named Charlotte Smith, age 22, of Manawa, WI
|
| Residence |
1945 |
Dallas, TX [3] |
- 500 Phinney; misspelled as Ferr
|
| Residence |
1964 |
Darien, CT [3] |
|
|
| Residence |
1967 |
Darien, CT [3] |
|
|
| Died |
1 May 2013 |
Ashland, OR |
| Notes |
- Dorothy Grist received this telegram from Franklin Grist:
1921 Jul 25
Minneapolis, Minn
MISS DOROTHY GRIST
212 DRIVEWAY OTTAWA ONT
VIRGINIA ANN ARRIVED SEVEN AM OVER SEVEN POUNDS BOTH WELL.
FRANKLIN.
---
January 24, 1991
Dear ones -- children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren of Gladys and Franklin
It is very early on a crisp, clear morning in San Francisco. The sun is casting rose light on the rooftops and on the dome of my Palace of Fine Arts. I've been enjoying my beautiful space especially these past few months and I feel blessed to be here and to have the time for proper closure of mother's earthly affairs and to savor the many remembrances of the "life of loving" of Gladys Ione Strite Grist! I feel her spirit often -- joyful, peaceful and free! I miss her, of course, but I am not grieving.
I'm sorting through the boxes, brown bags, etc. which have filled my middle room. I have found so much I wanted to share. Thanks to the squirrel-like tendencies of mother and of auntie Dorothy, the histories of both families are becoming clear -- our "roots" are interesting and have given me a perspective and an appreciation and pride in the families Grist and Strite. So I have made copies of our family trees (generations of love) for each of you -- my valentine!
Two big scrap books with early photos and letters will circulate a bit and then land at Locksley in Waupaca, where most of us gather at some point. Jodie and Rene's tapes will go there, too -- and YOU will have things to add. Who really remembers about Prince?
Love, Ginny
- Virginia Farr of Mountain View Retirement Community in Ashland, Oregon passed away peacefully on May 1, with her two daughters by her side. She moved to Oregon in 2001, after living in San Francisco where she was Director of the International Visitors' Center for ten years, retiring in 1990. Virginia spent many weekends and vacations in Sonoma. She also traveled throughout the world with friends, family and colleagues, carrying paints and journals to record adventures in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. She was a devoted member of the Rogue Valley Center for Spiritual Living in Medford, Oregon.
Virginia was born on July 25, 1921, to Franklin and Gladys Grist of Minneapolis. Most of her childhood was spent in Appleton, Wisconsin, with three younger siblings, Jim, Louise and Jack. She attended Lawrence University for two years, graduated from Northwestern in 1944, and married Bill Farr, a Navy Lieutenant with whom she ran a record store in Appleton called Farr's Melody Shop. They raised two girls in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and later in Connecticut and New York City with summers on the Maine coast.
She will be missed by daughters, Linda Farr Darling of Vancouver, BC, Canada; Sara Farr of Chicago; her sons-in-law, Murray Ross and Lin Brehmer, and her beloved grandson, Wilson Brehmer, as well as her sister Louise, her brother Jim and his wife, Mary, her sister-in-law, Judy, and ten nieces and nephews (several, like Julie, as close as her children) and their families, along with many friends who brought joy and love into her beautiful life.
There will be a gathering with music at Mountain View on Thursday, May 9, at 3:00 p.m.. Virginia's family will come together in Wisconsin to celebrate her life in September, 2013. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends who would like to remember Virginia send donations to the charity of their choice.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on May 5, 2013
|
| Person ID |
I29 |
Tree1 |
| Last Modified |
6 Oct 2013 |
| Father |
Franklin James GRIST, b. 10 Dec 1893, Minneapolis, MN , d. 21 Nov 1953, Madison, WI (Age 59 years) |
| Mother |
Gladys Ione STRITE, b. 29 Oct 1895, Cedar Rapids, Iowa , d. 14 Nov 1990, San Francisco, CA (Age 95 years) |
| Married |
27 Jun 1917 |
Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN |
- Gladys was 21; Franklin 23
|
| Notes |
- ca 1917-18-?: Gladys and Franklin raised poultry and livestock on a farm in Orrelton, MN. They lived in a tent.
- 1936: Construction begins at 24 Winona Ct., Appleton, WI. Newspaper account: Construction of a 2-story birck residence at 24 Winona Court has been started by Franklin J. Grist. The new home, which includes five rooms on the first floor, four bedrooms and two baths on the second floor, is of English-Gothic type.
- 1921: Virginia Ann born on July 25. Bought new home--white bungalow--4811 Park Ave. So, Minneapolis, MN, for $6,500.
- 10 May 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Grist, 24 WInona Ct., are in Chicago today, attending the seventh annual fur style show and banquet at the Palmer House.
-Appleton Post-Crescent
- 27 Dec 1937: First place winner, class B, in the Post-Crescent Christmas Home Lighting Contest
-Appleton Post-Crescent
|
| Photos
|
 | Holiday greeting card
From Franklin Grist and Gladys Strite
Greeting inside says:
In our home we think of you
From our home we write to you
To our home we welcome you
The Grists |
 | Franklin Grist with holiday decor
Giant electric candles at 24 Winona Ct. |
 | Gladys in Zion National Park
|
 | Viola Schuman
Worked at Grist Furs in Appleton, WI |
 | Grist Furs
|
 | Grist Furs billboard
|
 | Wornall (Bill) Farr with his in-laws
Front: Wornall (Bill) Farr, left, and Franklin Grist
Back, from left: John Roger (Jack) Grist, Grace Louise Grist, Virginia Grist, Dorothy Grist, Gladys Strite and Franklin James Grist, Jr. |
 | At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | Cookbook at 24 Winona Ct.
Virginia Grist:
We always had a notebook with recipes in it. Because mother was working so much at the fur store, we needed help with the cooking and such. Each night of the week had a certain meal associated with it. Monday Macaroni, I remember. And Pea du Hick (Creamed Dried Beef with Peas).
Eventually, we got a real cook, Mrs. Lowrey, but that was after I went to school. Before that, most of the cooks were just country girls, so mother had to give them exactly what to do.
|
 | Winona Court in 1936
The first photo shows construction; the second shot shows the holiday decorations in 1936. Franklin won the city prize for lighting that year. The bottom photo shows the holiday greeting from 1952. |
 | The Spiritual Foundation of 24 Winona Ct.
Hear Gladys Strite tell the story of how 24 Winona Ct. came to be. |
 | Grists to Mexico
From Grace Louise Grist:
I remember that trip to Mexico in February l946 (?). Jack and I persuaded our parents to take us along, pleading that my recently learned Spanish could come in handy (it did). We drove to see Ginny [Virginia Grist] and Bill [Wornall Fisher Farr] in Dallas, then on down through the mountains to Mexico City. We stayed at a "motel" (new concept in those days) and met Mexican friends of theirs: Meurta (in pic with Daddy) and her mother (with Mother; I don't remember her name). They entertained us lavishly, took us to a bullfight. From there we drove to Cuernavaca, just a small pretty village and on to Taxco, where we bought lots of silver jewelry and a silver tea service (which Ginny and I still share). The road to Acapulco was treacherous, dusty, with vultures peering at us from the cliffs overhead. We spent weeks on the "morning beach," afternoons reading and snoozing, enjoyed interesting and delicious meals (octopus one day!)... The photo shows our hotel, overlooking the Pacific. I've forgotten the name of it.
Our return trip included a stop at Garci Crespo, a spa with three swimming pools, and kids for Jack and I to play with. And then the hotel at Fortin de las Flores: the photos show the pool, which was covered with fresh gardenias each morning. A beautiful village, with a view of the mountain, friendly people. |
 | Gladys and Friends
From Grace Louise Grist:
Cora Harvey (we called her Cody) she was an office partner and best friend of mother's. She took care of us sometimes; she taught Jim and I how to oil paint, and had us go to her "art camp" in the summertime ... and had us enter our paintings in the annual county fair (and we won awards!!) She was a kind, sort of funny lady -- a salt-of-the-earth type.
Dr. Busch (dentist) was our neighbor on Winona Ct. He and his wife Mary (photo) were very good friends and his kids were our pals, especially mine. Stevie and I played together a lot,he was a super pianist. Carol and I played paper dolls at her house. Their mom, Mary, made delicious schaum torte with strawberries. Dr. Busch had this sailboat (probably 20 ft.) and he took us out on it quite a lot (but never enough) on Lake Winnebago. A really nice man, even if he was a dentist. He teased me a lot. |
 | 1972 Reunion in Waupaca, WI
Reunion portrait and illustration by Franklin James Grist Jr.
At Long Meadow cottage at the end of Long Lake (near the mouth of the Crystal River). |
 | Franklin James Grist Jr., Franklin James Grist, Wornall Fisher (Bill) Farr, Louise Grist, Gladys Strite, Virginia Grist, John Roger (Jack) Grist
At 24 Winona Ct. near the old hickory tree.
Hear Gladys Strite tell the story of how 24 Winona Ct. came to be. |
 | Franklin Grist (holding Sambo), Franklin James Grist Jr., Louise Grist (foreground), Virginia Grist, Gladys Strite and John Roger (Jack) Grist
Louise Grist writes:
The dog is our beloved Sambo. Daddy and I were the only real dog lovers in the family. I cried and cried and searched for days for Sambo when he ran away.
This was taken in our house on Winona Court. Our grandfather clock in the background; I don't know the history of it, but it was always there since I was born. I was about 8 when this was taken, so it must be about 1937. |
 | John Roger (Jack) Grist, Franklin Grist, Velma Strite and Franklin James Grist Jr.
Virginia Grist:
I recognize the drapes: green and cool for the time. Big windows faced College Ave. This was in our apartment over the Melody Shop. About 1947. Pretty fancy table -- probably two card tables! Mother's crystal and silver. I don't remember the occasion, or that we entertained like that! Both of us worked six-day weeks -- too tired! |
| Histories
|
 | Model T
|
|
| Sioux Falls, and back to Minneapolis
|
|
| Open House
|
|
| Franklin Grists on Southern Vacation
|
| Family ID |
F18 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
-
| Photos
|
| Virginia Grist -- Transcript of Valentine's letter
|
 | Grist Family at 24 Winona Court, Appleton, WI
Gladys STRITE writes on back: The whole family
Summer 1938
Virginia, 17; Franklin; Jim, 11; Grace Louise, 9; Jack, 4 1/2. |
 | Harry Grist with Virginia and Franklin James
In 1928 |
 | Louise Coffits
In both shots, Virginia Grist is holding a doll; Louise is holding Franklin James Grist Jr. Gladys Strite is the young woman in the one photo. Man is John Coffits. |
 | Wornall Fisher (Bill) Farr and Virginia Grist
Virginia Grist:
The picture is of us in front of our house in Cockrell Hill, TX. |
 | Franklin James Grist Jr., Louise Coffits and Virginia Grist.
Virginia Grist: "Love the Model T! That's me and I think the baby is Jim" |
 | Louise Coffits
Louise Coffits holding Franklin James Grist Jr., with Virginia Grist at her side. |
 | Wornall Fisher (Bill) Farr and Virginia Grist
|
 | Infant Virginia Grist, being held by Dorothy Grist
Hear Gladys Strite tell the story of Vigrinia Grist's birth (10 minutes). |
 | Baby Virginia Ann
Virginia Ann Grist and Velma Strite
Sept. 1921 |
 | Virginia Ann Grist, 1 year
|
 | Virginia Ann Grist with Aunt Ida
Near Aunt Laura's [Laura Grist] porch
Hear Gladys Strite describe her summer in Ottawa with the Grist relatives and Franklin's motorbike journey. (9 minutes).
|
 | From left: Franklin James Grist Jr., John S. Grist, Virginia Ann Grist and Franklin James Grist
Virginia Grist:
"Baby must be Jim at side of 4811 Park" |
 | Virginia Ann Grist, almost 2 years old
Front of the house at 4811 Park Ave. South
Hear Gladys Strite describe the house on Park Avenue in Minneapolis (7 minutes). |
 | From left: Virginia Ann Grist, Franklin James Grist Jr. and Dorothy Grist
|
 | Franklin James Grist Jr, Gladys Strite and Virginia Ann Grist
|
 | Virginia and Grace Louise Grist
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | Gladys Strite, Virginia Grist, Trix Watson and Margene Watson
Virginia Grist:
Margene and I were born on the same morning in a Minneapolis hospital. July 25, 1921!
Hear Gladys Strite tell the story of Vigrinia Grist's birth (10 minutes).
|
 | Trix Watson and her daughter, Margene
Virginia Grist:
Trix and Margene. Both widowed for a long time. |
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | Dorothy Grist, Virginia Grist, John S. Grist and John P. Grist in Minneapolis, 1921
Dorothy Grist writes on back:
Very poor of me, but good of the rest. Notice John is up to his dad's shoulders. |
 | John Roger (Jack) Grist and Virginia Ann Grist
At 1741 Superior St., Appleton, WI |
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | Virginia Ann Grist and John Roger (Jack) Grist
|
 | John Strite, Gladys Strite, and Ethel Dunn
Virginia Grist:
Probably near the retirement home where John lived the last years of his life.
Ethel was a retired librarian in the same area and looked in on him sometimes.
I do remember helping clean out John's apartment. This must have been in the '70s. Much junk: old clothes, no books, but a stack of his pastel drawings, large and on newsprint. Probably made in the '20s. Fragile. They interested me. His technique was excellent. He must have been self-taught, He was always a loner and kind of strange. Often the pastels featured moonlight scenes, most of them dark, mystical landscapes. Never any people in them. I doubt that anyone ever saw them! I still have some, thinking I would show them to an art teacher. I also have a box of his big soft pastels. Hard to use because they are so fat. I should give them to the art teacher!
Mother always sent him birthday cards and post cards. And, yes, she felt responsible. There is a picture of him: erect, solemn. I do remember some letters from the Haven Home about him and his daily walks. But I doubt he made any friends. So sad. It was fortunate that Mother found a place for him. And it was good that she knew he was cared for, and that Ethel went to see him some.
Ethel was a darling, and I last saw her at the 1973 family reunion at the lake. She was well and so enjoyed being with family
|
 | Birth Announcement Telegram
From Franklin Grist to Dorothy Grist
Virginia Grist writes: "July 1921. Bought new home -- white bungalow, 4811 Park Ave. So. [Minneapolis, MN] in 1921 for $6,500! Virginia Ann arrives a month later on July 25.
Hear Gladys Strite tell the story of Vigrinia Grist's birth (10 minutes). |
 | Grist Furs -- the first store
From Virginia Grist:
Top: 1930, Jim and Virginia on running board of Buick
Center: Grist-Ericson, the FIRST store on 231 College Ave. [Appleton, WI]
Bottom: 1938, Viola Schumann. Worked for F.J. for many years.
Gladys Strite tells how Franklin got started in the fur business. (6 minutes).
|
 | College Avenue store
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | Virginia Grist in high school yearbook
From the 1939 Appleton High School Clarion |
 | Bill Farr in college
Senior year at the University of Texas in Austin, TX |
 | Memorial Service for Virigina Ann Grist
|
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
|
 | At the Airport, 1970-something
Gladys Strite, Virginia Grist, Franklin James Grist Jr. and Mary Lamers |
 | Christmas 1929: Fire truck and dollhouse with electric lights
On the back of the photo: "Hook and ladder Co. located at 4811 Park [Minneapolis, MN]. "Chief Jim Grist in charge.
Dollhouse operated by Miss Virginia Grist gets "on fire" many times a day. |
 | Virginia Grist
|
 | Gladys Strite, Virginia Grist, Franklin James Grist
Not sure where this was taken, but it's not a wedding photo. Possibilities from Grace Louise Grist: "That dress of Grandma's looks pretty familiar (like what she wore for the wedding?) but she and daddy often danced at the Mason's ... so no.
Ginny looks SO young, like maybe high school, but why the elaborate
bouquet? Her hair looks shorter than how she wore it for the
wedding photo, but could be it was for the rehearsal dinner, (which I don't even remember... was I invited? Must have been, short memory). |
| Recordings |
 | When Franklin Grist Died (15 minutes)
Charles Robert Grist talks to Gladys Strite about what happened in the years surrounding Franklin Grist's death in 1953. Topics include:
Louise Grist leaves her job as an art supervisor in Milwaukee to help Gladys in Appleton. After Franklin dies, she helps Gladys run Grist Furs and Fashions.
- Gladys eventually sends Louise to California to fulfill her dream of teaching art there. She gets a job in Benicia.
- Pat Gray follows to "convince Wese that he loves her."
- What to do about the house at 24 Winona Court? Jim and Mary Grist are living in a small apartment; Charlie is on the way (born 19 May 1954). Gladys is in a too-big house.
Lillian Cook [Coffitts] advises Gladys to wait on selling the house.
- 2 April 1955: While Gladys is on vacation in Los Angeles, she goes up to Santa Barbara to meet up with Louise and Pat, where they got married. For a honeymoon, they stayed — with Gladys — in the home of Glady's cousin, Lloyd Strite. He and his wife, Lorraine, were away at the time.
- Gladys proposes to share the house with Jim and Mary, creating a small apartment upstairs where she could live. They shared 24 Winona Ct. from about 1954 to 1959, when Gladys sold Grist Furs and Fashions.
|
|
| The Story of Virginia Grist's Birth (10 minutes)
Gladys Strite tells the story of Virginia Ann Grist's birth in 1921. Interview took place at her apartment in San Francisco on 22 July 1988. On hand were Melissa Gray, Grace Louise Grist and Virginia Ann Grist.
- Friend Trix Watson has her daughter, Margene, about the same time.
- Franklin: "Ma, it's a girl, but I don't care."
|
|
| A tour of 4811 Park Ave. South (7 minutes)
Gladys Strite tells the story of the house at 4811 Park Ave. South in Minneapolis, MN. House cost $6,500 when they bought it. Interview took place at her apartment in San Francisco on 22 July 1988. On hand were Melissa Gray, Grace Louise Grist and Virginia Ann Grist.
|
|
| Summer in Ottawa (9 minutes)
Gladys Strite tells the story of Franklin's trip to Ottawa. Gladys and Virginia were in Ottawa for the summer to spend time with the Grists who lived there. Franklin remained in Minneapolis, but decided to go to Ottawa on his new motorbike. During this trip, he stopped in Appleton, WI, for the first time. "He just thought that it was the prettiest little town he'd ever seen." Interview took place at her apartment in San Francisco on 22 July 1988. On hand were Melissa Gray, Grace Louise Grist and Virginia Ann Grist. |
|
| Grists to Sioux Falls; Jim's Birth (6 minutes)
Gladys Strite tells how Franklin got started in the fur business. (6 minutes). Interview took place at her apartment in San Francisco on 22 July 1988. On hand were Melissa Gray, Grace Louise Grist and Virginia Ann Grist. Also:
- Moving to Sioux Falls, SD
- Birth of Jim Grist ) Franklin James Grist, Jr.
- Moving back to Minneapolis.
|
|
| Mother's Day 1983 (17 minutes)
A Mother's Day brunch at the Gray's house in Livermore, CA. With Julie Grist, Virginia Grist, Louise Grist, Gladys Strite, Pat Gray and Melissa and Becky Gray. |
-
| Sources |
- [S19] 1930 U.S. Federal Census.
- [S126] Wright’s Appleton City Directory.
- [S90] U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.
- [S175] 1940 U.S. Federal Census.
|
|
|
