Judy Pinkerton

Judith Ann (Gregory) Pinkerton

I was born in Burlington, Colorado, on June 18, 1938, to Loni and Helga Gregory. I was baptized in a Lutheran Church the following January 1939. My sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Engelkee. They always gave me a dollar on my birthday. Our family moved to Flagler, Colorado, in the country, and Burlington, Colorado, Kit Carson County. Most Sundays were spent in Church services and potlucks and Vacation Bible School. We studied our Sunday School lessons every Saturday evening and always had a prayer before meals.

I was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran, Chadron, Nebraska. I served as the Prayer Chain leader, cleaned the church, and was Secretary/Treasurer of LWML. I was a Work Circle Chairman, taught VBS and Sunday School, and attended LWML conventions in Rapid City, SD, and St. Louis, MO.

I married Marcus W. Snyder and we had a son Marcus W. Snyder, Jr. who lives in Chadron NE. Mark and I divorced and several years later I married Donald L. Pinkerton. Don and I had two children, Beverly Ann who is now deceased and Larry Lamoin who lives in Chadron, NE. and one step son Donald Ray Pinkerton who lives in Rapid City SD. I have four grandchildren, Melissa Fox, David Fox, Victoria Mintken and Orrin Pinkerton. and two step grandchildren, Cynthia Scarrow and Bobbi Deschamps and numerous great and great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

I have one brother Keith Gregory now deceased, 2 sisters, Linda Allen now deceased and Marilyn Straight who lives in Boone IA.

My grandmother Gregory once told us that her father had a nervous breakdown. He was sent, or went away some place to a hospital for treatment. He told them that while he was there, he had a dream that he could see the sun and moon and stars. A finger, whether his or some else’s, moved the sun and moon and stars all together, so he knew that he would be back with his family again!

My grandmother Anderson was born in Sweden. Her mother had a “tea room” at one time in Sweden, I guess but maybe here in the U.S. Her mother immigrated to the United States and my grandmother came while still in her teens. Her uncle in Iowa paid her way. I’ve been told that in Sweden she was a “milk maid”. When she was a school girl, they took a boat down the river either to school or town, I’m not sure which.

She met and married my grandfather in Iowa. My grandfather died when I was about nine months old. She lived with my Aunt Maxine when I could remember. Aunt Maxine taught school and later worked in the post office.

We missed church very few Sundays.

I went to one Easter Sunrise Service. It was neat but I’m not normally an early riser.

Easter Sunday always meant a big dinner after church. We gathered together with family and friends. Sometimes Easter egg hunts. We usually colored eggs before Easter.

The only special toy I remember was a black stuffed dog. I remember it as a very small child sleeping in a crib. I remember mother and dad leaning over the crib side holding the dog over me. I had blocks to stack and build things. I have no idea what ever became of the toy dog and I have some of the blocks.

I don’t remember playing games and cards and checker games at home. At school we played “Simon Says,” Anny, Anny Over”and “Fox and Geese” in winter.