Some memories of Ellen and Martin Alexander
                                             by Donald Kieffer

 

My Maternal Grandparents were the Alexanders. They lived in Joliet, Illinois, where Martin was a carpenter and Ellen lived out her life. Her later years were difficult for her because she had lost almost all of her eyesight, but she crocheted and knitted the most beautiful afghans, that some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren still cherish.

Martin passed away early in his life, I think he died when he was 53 and I was only 3 years old, so I don't have any memory of him. I do know he was a carpenter by trade and had a small business in Joliet.

So Grandma Alexander lived as a widow for 45 years or so, raising her five children.