FIRST COMMUNION

I posted on June 11 that Steve and Betty had no photos of Johnny before he had died.   They made an effort to have photos made of their surviving children. There were formal portraits taken at their First Communions and at various points of their youth.

Here is Pauline and Helen on their First Communion.  I remember Betty telling a story about the day.  It was in May or early in June and the previous evening Iowa had one of the latest recorded snowfalls in history.  The corn crop was ruined and Steve had to replant.

Jim on his First Communion

I could not find a First Communion photo of Rose Mary. 

Here is a studio portrait.

Here is a studio portrait of Barb. Betty made the dress. I could not find a formal photo of Barb's First Communion, but below to the right is a snapshot that Betty took with her Kodak Brownie camera.

Beth's First Communion Portrait

Barb's First Communion

Here is a photo of Don's First Communion taken on the steps of St. Matthew's Church in Clare. Don is the tallest boy, the second from the left (click for enlargement).

Bob's First Communion 

Kathy's First Communion

As Steve and Betty had more children, the formal photo portraits apparently became less important.  There was only one childhood photo each of Don, Bob and Kathy taken at a photographer's studio.  But by then, school photos were taken on an annual basis and served as an economical substitute. Betty also had acquired a Brownie camera that she used to photograph birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.