~ Biographical Sketch ~

     Nona Frances Neuendorf was born on Saturday, July 19, 1913 in Oakdale Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin, daughter of Herman August Neuendorf and Augusta Ottielia Reetz.

Nona appeared on the Oakdale Township census of January 3, 1920 in the household of Herman August Neuendorf. She is recorded as his daughter, a white single female, age 6. She was born in Wisconsin and had attended school in the last session but no comment was made as to whether or not she was able to read or write.¹

Nona appeared on the Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin, census of April 19, 1930 in the household of Herman August Neuendorf. She is recorded as a white female age 16, born in Wisconsin. She had been in attendance at a school since September 1, 1929 and was able to read, write and speak English.²

Nona married Victor Steffin in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. Janet, Nona's sister was the flower girl.³ Nona became a widow when her husband, Victor, died in a tragic automobile accident in Dubuque.⁴

Nona married Albert J. Howe. David was adopted as a baby by Nona and her first husband, Vic. After Nona remarried, David took the last name of his adoptive stepfather, Albert Howe, as his own.³ Nona and Albert lived in a sea-side cottage-style home overlooking Puget Sound in Edmonds, Snohomish County, Washington.⁵

A treasured memory shared by niece Susan Noyes ~ Uncle Al and Aunt Nona used to travel on vacation from Washington to New Mexico and Arizona to visit with our family.

Dad loved to go camping. We had many joyous adventures during Aunt Nona and Uncle Al's stays. We would all pile into the old 1952 Chevy "Carry-all" with a full menagerie of camping equipment including an old large army canvas tent, wood-framed army cots, kerosene lanterns, a two-burner Coleman camp stove, the black cast iron skillet plus a few pots, and plenty of cooking ingredients from which Mom would prepare all of our meals from scratch. Then, off we would trek to Monument Valley or Canyon De Chelly, or another National Park.

Aunt Nona owned a "dime store" (variety store) in Edmonds, Washington. She carried many wonderful items such as kite kits, toys and various sundries. She was proud of her unmatched selection of embroidery threads and ribbons. She boasted that she carried the full lines in all the colors. Shoppers knew that they could bring a sample of a hard to find color and she would have just what they wanted. Another of her specialties was a fine and complete selection of yarns. She was a yarn and needlework expert! She busied herself with knitting and crocheting projects of all kinds. I was always fascinated with her accomplishments and had soon convinced her to teach me how to knit and crochet. She was very patient and encouraging. Many years later my husband and I were privileged to receive one of her lovely hand-knitted afghans as a wedding gift. It is a treasured keepsake to this day..⁵

Her husband Albert died of a massive heart attack at his home in Edmonds, Snohomish County, Washington.⁵

Nona fell in love once again, this time with a fantastic banjo player with a sparkling personality. So with all the excitement of two "young people in love," Nona and Charlie Curry were married.^3,5

A treasured memory shared by niece Susan Noyes ~ "We were honored when Charlie Curry traveled from Washington to attend our wedding June 12, 1981 in Flagstaff. "

"Uncle Charlie honored us by playing his banjo at our reception. He was festively dressed in his professional performance attire and was the hit of the show. He performed special solo selections, plus he accompanied my sister, Roxie, who presented numerous musical selections on the piano."⁵

Nona and Charlie continued living in Nona's sea-side cottage in Edmonds as long as their aging health safely allowed after which time they moved to nursing homes.^5,6

Nona died on Monday, May 7, 2001 in Seattle, King County, Washington. She was 87 years old. In a nursing home.⁶ She was laid to rest on Friday, May 11, 2001 in the Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, located at 205 N.E. 205th St. in Shoreline, King County, Washington. She is buried in section: S, lot: 4708, site: 2. (She was not cremated).^6,7