Former resident recalls winter of 1948-1949

(Editor’s Note: Recently, I wrote about the winters I had experienced here in Nebraska, and asked others to share their winter stories. Here is a very interesting one shared by former Osmond resident Lois (Herbolsheimer) Polt, sister to Bernice (Herbolsheimer) Blecha, former editor here at the Osmond Republican. Bernice actually told me this story years ago.)

This is my story of the winter of 1948-49 as relayed to me by my parents.

My life began at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Osmond on Oct. 30, 1947. I was born the middle daughter of Roy and Mary Herbolsheimer, who farmed about five miles southwest of Osmond. During the winter of 1948- 49, I became ill with a gastrointestinal disorder. At age 15 months, I soon became dehydrated as I could not retain enough food and fluids.

The winter was horrible. Heavy snowfall along with driving winds produced huge drifts of snow. All country roads were closed. With my illness, my dad was looking for ways that I could be taken to Osmond for medical care. One day, he set out on foot to see if he could walk to where maybe the roads had been opened. Then he could carry me that far and arrange for someone to pick us up and transport us to the hospital. Hereturned later that day only to inform my mother that he could not find any roads within walking distance that were open.

Three times each day, my mother called Dr. Rodgers in Osmond to give him an update on my condition. One morning, mother had to tell him that she felt my condition was worsening. I was not moving around in my crib as usual. Dr. Rodgers instructed my mother to bundle me up and carry me across the road at a designated time. A Red Cross plane with skies would land in the field.

My dad, along with mom carrying me, walked over the hard-packed snow and drifts to the field just west of our house. My sister, Bernice (Blecha), age 4, watched this trio from our west living room window. She would stay home with my dad while mother was with me at the hospital.

The plane arrived and as mother settled into her seat, the pilot said “Keep her bundled up, the heater is not working.” I am not sure my mother noticed the cold as I think she was more concerned about getting her first and only airplane ride!

The plane landed in a field east of Osmond. Arrangements had been made with Cap Theisen to meet us and transport us to the hospital. I do not know how long I was hospitalized.

Included are some weather related articles that my dear sister, Bernice, was able to provide for me from the Osmond Republican. My mother often commented how thankful she was that the telephone service remained operational.

Lois (Herbolsheimer) Polt

Marshalltown, IA

OHS Class of 1966

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