Iris Lee Guild Retzlaff

known as Iris

also written Iris Lee, Iris Retzlaff, Iris in the book

Biography

Describes herself as the first born and first daughter. Had her own room before Bobby and Bernie were born. Treasured china tea sets from Uncle Lloyd and enjoyed make-believe. Says her childhood dreams of entertaining came true with God's help, a good husband, and good fortune. Narrator. Remembers Grandpa Williams preparing nuts and reciting limericks, and regrets that the family did not preserve this tradition. Narrator of the chapter. Remembers living between the river and railroad tracks, a grocery store across from 1015 29th Street, and River Drive. Recovered from a bicycle-related knee injury on a front-porch wood swing while cutting out paper dolls. Narrator of the recollection. Narrator recalling childhood visits to Grandma and Grandpa Guild’s house in Minnesota. Narrator of Iris's Chapter. Estimated she was eleven or twelve when the family moved to the country. Started working at Cozy Corner at sixteen. Recalls girls' fashions during the war years of the Forties and, tentatively, poodle skirts in the Fifties. Her mother made her poodle skirt. Occupation also recorded as “Babysat for a dollar fifty a night.” (Iris's Chapter). Made all her own skirts and bought blouses with babysitting money. Loved dancing at the “Rec” center at Moline High; the Jitterbug was her favorite dance. Narrator of Iris's Chapter. Says she was eleven when the war broke out and about thirteen when she sold war savings stamps. Made quilt squares at the YWCA for GIs and owned two war bonds by the end of the war. Her unnamed father worked at John Deere making military machinery and was not drafted; she attributes this to his large family and also notes his war work would have exempted him. Her unnamed grandfather was too old. An unnamed boyfriend joined the Marine Corps after the war. Narrator. Says she helped raise five children and is proudest of that achievement. Wanted a musical career, wishes she had sung and danced more, and expresses a strong belief in guardian angels. Her parents are referred to only as Mom and Dad. Narrator of the chapter and author of the poem signed Iris Retzlaff. Expresses belief in God, prayer, divine forgiveness, individual purpose, and family. Identified as the teller of Iris's Chapter, which includes the section HUGS. Narrator of the chapter. Describes a summer place at 'On Lake Enterprise' held for fifteen years, among others. The stated housing dates and durations are preserved without reconciliation. Occupation also recorded as “Co-owner and operator of Ben Franklin Variety Stores and Elliot’s Fashions; co-owner of a bank and an insurance agency for a few years; currently in retail craft supplies through Ben Franklin Crafts stores.” (Iris's Chapter). The passage describes joint business activities but does not name the other participant or participants. Designs and decorates Christmas trees and decorates their stores; has helped operate the gift shop in each store. Enjoys golf, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, swimming, boating, bird watching, singing, dancing, ceramics, crocheting, and reading. Says Daddy taught her to sing. Has made a crocheted Afghan for every member of her family. Her first dog, from the early days of her marriage, was Patrick Henry, a miniature Doberman Pinscher. Narrator of Iris's Chapter. Remembers briefly living on the Rock River, possibly in her parents' second house in Moline. Her father taught her to dance and to shoot at about age twelve, and took her hunting and fishing. Her parents are referred to only as Dad and Mom in this passage. Identified in the chapter heading as the teller of Iris's Chapter; the passage itself is credited to Bill Retzlaff. The chapter identifies Iris by her full name. Bill says they had not been married very long at the time of the Thanksgiving shooting episode. Narrator of the chapter. Recalls her mother's patient listening, discretion, baking, and teaching her to crochet, cook, and make her own clothes. Her mother is referred to only as Mom in this passage. Chapter narrator; refers to Floyd Guild as Dad. Narrator identified in the chapter heading. Remembers fishing with Dad at the lake on Gus Falk's family's property and enjoying fried fish instead of mutton stew. Narrator. Describes herself as a second mother image to the others as youngsters and values their later friendships. Was thirteen when little Barbara came along and helped Mom care for her. Does floral work and decorating at the little white Congregational church in Roscoe, Illinois, where she is known as The Flower Lady. Wants her children, grandchildren, and husband to remember her with love. States that Bill has been her husband for over fifty years. Named in the chapter attribution; the letter in this passage is signed by Beth. Accompanied Floyd and Ethel on Minnesota family visits. birth date recorded both as “May 20, 1930” and as “1930” in the book; kept as written. occupation also recorded as “Worked at Cozy Corners.” in the book. Removed family pictures from an old olive-drab strongbox and kept them safe, believing they would otherwise gradually disappear. Thanked for preserving pictures reproduced in the book. Floyd took Norm to Iris’s house to meet the people there. Slept on a roll away bed in the living room. The passage describes 'Iris and Bill’s Ben Franklin Store.' Gave the household a treasured comic-book subscription. With Bill, gave Barbara's family a black and white TV when Barbara was ten. Listed among Barbara's siblings on her staircase. Married when Diana was six; spouse not identified in the passage. Cut the younger children’s hair. With Bill, presented Diana with a car for college. Brought a station wagon full of groceries during their father’s strike. Described as affectionate and beautiful. First child, named by her father. Was an only child for six years. The narrator thought she was spoiled and may have had a horse, recalling photographs of her on one. Rinsed her hair with lemon juice and brushed it in the sun; the narrator remembers her beautiful, shiny hair. After she married, Christmas Eve was celebrated at her house because it was bigger and the family was growing. Her spouse is not named. Goodies from Iris and Bill's Ben Franklin store were among the family's contributions to Mom's welfare. Relationship to Bill is not specified. Bought the narrator beautiful paper dolls during her first ear operation. Met Bill while working at Cozy Corners. Married when the narrator was about nine; her wedding ring was an emerald. Went to Ruth and Tom Johnson’s to bathe that day. The narrator recalls babysitting for her, probably only once. An only child for over five years, described as Daddy’s spoiled and revered little girl. Became like a second mother to her six younger siblings, helping Mom with feeding, bathing, comforting and tending their injuries. Carol's older sister. Helped with canning; Virginia McFarland said she could handle the canner like a pro. Slept on a rollaway bed in the living room. Oldest child, six years older than Bernie. Described as a second mom to her siblings: she played with them, bathed and dressed them, babysat, cooked, and cleaned. Married when the narrator was ten. Occasionally accompanied Daddy on visits to his relatives in Brainerd, Minnesota. Carol's mother sewed outfits for Iris' unnamed daughters when they were small, including a blue velvet dress for each. The family celebrated many Christmas Eves at Iris and Bill’s after becoming too large for the narrator’s family house. Their relationship is not specified. Signed the autograph-book verse about the Mississippi wearing rubber pants. Carol lived with Iris and Bill while saving earnings for her first car. Carol mostly baby-sat for Iris and Bill, who invited her on summer cottage vacations and treated her kindly. The family went to Iris and Bill's for the holiday. Mom called Iris that evening to say Daddy was worse. Iris's relationship to Bill is not stated. Listed among the family members; age 31 on the day of the photographs. Helped the narrator's mother raise the children and with canning. Recalled catsup, canned pork, pepper hash, and cabbage and cucumber relish from the early years. The narrator remembers visiting Iris and Bill’s apartment to watch wrestling on TV during childhood. Her wedding is listed as a childhood memory; no spouse is named. Came and got Robert on his first day of kindergarten when he cried. Later took him to Ferry’s house to apologize for a fire in Ferry’s Woods. Relationship to Robert is not stated. Occupation also recorded as “Partner with Bill and the narrator in Elliott’s clothing stores” (Bob's Chapter). With Bill, asked the narrator whether he would be interested in a Ben Franklin Store. Plays Tea Party on the porch, shows the narrator a chicken head, and helps make purple-paper May baskets filled with Lilies of the Valley. With a girlfriend, spied Toby and Bernard playing doctor and threatened to tell. Bernard recalled that Iris generally treated him well and included him in her endless tea parties. The narrator did not consider Iris and Bill rich. Their relationship is not specified. Went on many hayrides. Dressed the narrator as a girl with spit curls and took him to a church Halloween party when he was about seven, introducing him as “Daisy Guild.” About fourteen or fifteen late in the war. Received censored Victory Letters from older boyfriends in the service. She and the narrator's mother drew imitation stocking seams on each other's legs during the silk-stocking shortage. The narrator secretly practiced riding on Iris’ bike. Described as an excellent markswoman who hit beer bottles on a fence rail with a .22 at fifty paces; compared to Annie Oakley. Married Bill young. She and Bill helped the family through hard times and special problems Floyd could not solve himself. Mom considered Iris and the narrator the strongest children because they were never sick. The children wished Jesse McFarland would marry Iris. The passage does not say they married. The narrator describes the Forties as more Iris’s era than his own. One of three of Floyd’s children who remembered Olive as tender and kindly toward them. Remembered the small two-story tar-paper-covered house Dan built on Falk’s farm. Birth date also recorded as “May, 1930” (History of the Guild Family). First of seven children. First of Ethel’s seven children.

Timeline

May 20, 1930
Birth of IRIS LEE GUILD RETZLAFF
The Guilds
May, 1930
Iris is born
First child.
History of the Guild Family
1930
Birth of Iris
History of the Guild Family
May, 1930
Birth of Iris
First child and daughter.
History of the Guild Family
the Forties
Learning to ride a bicycle
Daddy taught Bernard in less than ten minutes and praised him to John Reichenberg, not knowing Bernard had already practiced on Iris’ bike with Bobby's help.
Bernie's Chapter
1942
Kindergarten at McKinley
Robert was told he cried on his first day and Iris came and got him.
Bob's Chapter
V-E (Victory over Europe) Day in the late summer of 1945
Remembering V-E Day from the front porch
Bernard says he was nine and stood in misty rain feeling pride in America and sharing his family's excitement. The date is preserved as stated.
Bernie's Chapter
August 6, 1945
Bombing of Hiroshima and reactions at home
Iris recalls the USA dropping the A-bomb and the resulting debate at home. She says many opposed the devastation, while the majority and those fighting the Japanese supported it. She remembers Dad agreeing. Harry Truman was president.
Iris's Chapter
September 11, 1948
Iris and Bill marry
Married by a Baptist preacher.
Iris's Chapter
1957
Building the family’s first home
Built their first home and lived there thirteen years. Iris says the whole family really grew up there.
Iris's Chapter
Later that holiday evening, 1967
Lee and Bob take Daddy to the hospital
After Mom called Iris to report that Daddy was worse, Lee and Bob took him to the hospital. He stayed two weeks.
Carol's Chapter
Christmas holiday, 1967
Holiday gathering at Iris and Bill's
The family gathered for the holiday while Mom stayed home with Daddy.
Carol's Chapter
1972; eight years before selling out
Leaving Bormann’s and joining Elliott’s
The narrator says he sold out of Bormann’s in 1972 and became manager and partner with Iris and Bill in Elliott’s clothing stores. This sale date conflicts with the stated 1983 opening of Bormann’s.
Bob's Chapter
1976
Moving north to Roscoe
Bought a home and lived on Kinnikinnick Road for nineteen years.
Iris's Chapter
May of 1996
Selling the house in The Ledges
Sold the house Iris describes as beautiful.
Iris's Chapter
the spring of 2000
Moving into a three-level Rockton home
Moved from their town house into a beautiful three-level home.
Iris's Chapter
early-on
Iris safeguards family photographs
Removed precious family photographs from the old olive-drab strongbox to prevent their gradual disappearance and kept them safe.
We Nine
the first time Norm came to our house to meet the family
Norm meets the family
During Norm's introductory family visit, Floyd took him to Iris’s house and silently drained an almost empty liquor bottle found in the garage garbage.
Barbara's Chapter
One Easter
Easter flooding at Ben Franklin Store
The store flooded. Barbara remembered the resulting abundance of Easter candy on the family’s back porch, while the other children remembered cleanup work.
Barbara's Chapter
When I was ten years old
A black and white television from Iris and Bill
Barbara's family received a black and white TV from Iris and Bill.
Barbara's Chapter
When Diana was six
Iris marries
Diana uses Iris’s marriage to explain having few early memories of her living at home. The spouse is not named.
Diana's Chapter
A few weeks after Diana’s first week of college
Iris and Bill give Diana Tillie the Toiler
Unable to manage the long walk to nursing classes, Diana requested a car. Iris and Bill gave her a 1954 blue Ford, which ran for four years before stalling in her last school week. Carol later said their father had asked Bill to buy it. 1954 is the car’s model year, not a stated event year.
Diana's Chapter
After Iris was married
Christmas Eve gatherings at Iris's larger home
The growing family celebrated Christmas Eve at Iris's house because it was bigger. The narrator remembers presents piled up to the ceiling.
Dee's Chapter
The narrator’s first ear operation
Paper dolls during the first ear operation
Iris bought the narrator especially beautiful paper dolls.
Dee's Chapter
when I was about nine
Iris’s wedding
Dee recalls Iris’s beauty and emerald wedding ring; Iris went to Ruth and Tom Johnson’s to bathe.
Dee's Chapter
I must have been in junior high school
A frightening evening babysitting for Iris
Frightened by noises and the large windows overlooking a yard and ravine, Dee closed the drapes and sat with a knife hidden under a sofa cushion. She thinks she babysat for Iris only once.
Dee's Chapter
After her birth in 1938
Carol comes home to her siblings
Carol went home to the apartment to join her sister Iris and brothers Bobby and Bernie.
Carol's Chapter
When Carol was ten years old
Iris marries
Carol recalls that Iris married when she was ten years old; no spouse is named.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Visits to paternal relatives in Brainerd
Daddy visited his parents and siblings, some of whom were half siblings. He occasionally took Iris or the boys; Carol never went.
Carol's Chapter
Christmas Eve, after the family became too large for our house
Family Christmas Eves at Iris and Bill’s
The family enjoyed many Christmas Eve gatherings at Iris and Bill’s.
Carol's Chapter
Fifth and sixth grade
Carol keeps a class autograph book
Class autograph books were popular during these grades. Carol's surviving book contains verses from family and friends.
Carol's Chapter
During junior high and high school
Carol baby-sits for spending money
Baby-sat for neighbors and friends of Mom and Dad, mostly Iris and Bill.
Carol's Chapter
In the summer while Iris and Bill’s children were on summer vacation
Summer stays as a mother’s helper
Carol moved into their house to work as a mother’s helper.
Carol's Chapter
Summers
Wisconsin cottage vacations
Carol joined their vacations and enjoyed boating, swimming, and fishing.
Carol's Chapter
After three years in Oshkosh
Learning the Ben Franklin business
Following Iris and Bill’s inquiry about his interest in a Ben Franklin Store, the narrator left Penney’s to learn the business.
Bob's Chapter
date not given
May baskets with Iris
Iris helps the narrator make purple-paper baskets filled with Lilies of the Valley. They hang them on a neighbor's doorknob and run away.
Bernie's Chapter
At Christmas; on Carol’s 23rd birthday
Family portraits during Bernie's Christmas visit
Bernie photographed the family with a borrowed Leica camera against orange and green fabric in the girls’ bedroom.
Carol's Chapter
Later that day
Carol’s 23rd birthday celebration
The family celebrated Carol’s 23rd birthday after the portrait session.
Carol's Chapter
When I was little, before we had a TV
Childhood wrestling on TV at Iris and Bill’s
The narrator recalls his father taking them to Iris and Bill’s apartment to watch wrestling on TV. Argentine Aroca was their favorite wrestler.
Bob's Chapter
date not given
Iris’s wedding
Listed among the narrator's most vivid childhood memories.
Bob's Chapter
One day during school years
Fire in Ferry’s Woods and an apology
A fire started while playing with matches got out of hand. Iris later took Robert to Ferry’s house to apologize.
Bob's Chapter
date not given
Bill and Iris marry young
Bernard says Floyd never forgave Bill for marrying Iris so young.
Bernie's Chapter
After their marriage
Beginning married life in a friend’s house
They had a basement kitchen and an unfinished-attic bedroom, sharing a bathroom with the friend’s family of four.
Iris's Chapter
One year later
Renting an upstairs apartment in Moline
Rented a small upstairs apartment for fifty-five dollars a month and lived there two years. Post-World War II lodging was almost impossible to find.
Iris's Chapter
Every Monday night during the two years in the Moline apartment
Monday-night wrestling, chips, and Pepsi
Daddy brought 'all you kids' to watch Wrestling from Hollywood; they ate potato chips and drank a whole lot of Pepsi.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Buying the 6th Street Court house
Bought a small house and lived there six years.
Iris's Chapter
Later
Iris discovers a childhood game
Iris and a girlfriend spied Bernard and Toby playing doctor and threatened to tell on them. Bernard worried about it for a long time.
Bernie's Chapter
When Bernard was about seven
Church Halloween party as “Daisy Guild”
Iris dressed Bernard as a girl with spit curls and introduced him as “Daisy Guild.” He bobbed for apples, got water up his nose, and recalled that no one guessed he was a boy.
Bernie's Chapter
date not given
Family evenings with toasted nuts and Grandpa's limericks
A recurring family memory: Grandpa cracked nuts gathered in the fall, Mom toasted the nut meats after supper, and the family ate them while Grandpa recited limericks around the kitchen table.
Iris's Chapter
one summer
Iris injures her knee in a bicycle fall
Iris fell from her bike on a street covered with black cinders and badly hurt her knee. She recovered on the wood swing on the front porch while cutting out paper dolls.
Iris's Chapter
On Saturdays and Sundays
Weekend family picnics in the woods
Aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered for family picnics. Iris remembers strawberries, homemade ice cream, fried chicken, biscuits, and singing, and tentatively remembers men playing horseshoes.
Iris's Chapter
When Iris was eleven or twelve
Iris moves from River Drive to the country
Iris estimated her age at the move and recalled little of the first years there.
Iris's Chapter
Every night after school
Iris delivers newspapers to eighty homes
Delivered the Moline Daily Dispatch using a repaired second-hand bicycle and a wooden rack made by her father.
Iris's Chapter
Saturday mornings
Iris runs a Saturday bread route
Collected bread dropped off by Peter’s bakery, delivered it by bicycle, and recorded customers’ orders for the following week.
Iris's Chapter
When Iris was sixteen
Iris starts work at Cozy Corner
Worked after school and preferred the soda fountain.
Iris's Chapter
After her Cozy Corner job
Iris takes charge of candy and cosmetics
Took charge of the candy and cosmetic counters, where she first met Bill.
Iris's Chapter
May
Iris and Bill's first date
Went on a picnic; Iris describes the food as “Fired chicken—apple pie.”
Iris's Chapter
September, following their first date in May
Iris and Bill marry
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Babysitting to buy blouses
Iris earned a dollar fifty a night babysitting and used the money for blouses, while making all her own skirts.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Dancing at the Moline High Rec center
Iris and her companions loved dancing at the center, especially the Jitterbug.
Iris's Chapter
Saturday mornings during the Second World War
Making quilt squares for GIs
Iris stacked completed squares for Red Cross ladies to sew into quilts going to GIs.
Iris's Chapter
When Iris was about thirteen years old
Selling war savings stamps
Wearing red, white, and blue hats and matching aprons, Iris and others handed out stamp books and sold stamps for a dime each. She was fairly sure, but not positive, that a hundred stamps filled a book.
Iris's Chapter
At the end of the war
Owning two war bonds
Iris states that twenty-five dollars bought a war bond and that she had two bonds at war's end.
Iris's Chapter
During the Second World War
Waiting in line for nylon hose
Iris recalls waiting for nylon hose, carefully mending runs, and using her mother's trick of drawing stocking seams on makeup-covered legs.
Iris's Chapter
the day President Roosevelt died
Mourning President Roosevelt around the radio
Iris recalls everyone crying and sitting around the radio waiting for news. His picture hung on their living room wall.
Iris's Chapter
During the six years at the 6th Street Court house
Linda’s birth
Named among the four children born where the family lived on 6th Street Court.
Iris's Chapter
During the six years at the 6th Street Court house
Beth’s birth
Named among the four children born where the family lived on 6th Street Court.
Iris's Chapter
During the six years at the 6th Street Court house
Jeffrey’s birth
Named among the four children born where the family lived on 6th Street Court.
Iris's Chapter
During the six years at the 6th Street Court house
Laurie’s birth
Named among the four children born where the family lived on 6th Street Court.
Iris's Chapter
While the family lived in the 4th Street Court house
Kurt joins the family
Kurt was born during the family’s residence in the house built in 1957; the actual birthplace is not stated.
Iris's Chapter
for fifteen years
Fifteen years with a summer place up north
Had a summer place described as 'up north in On Lake Enterprise,' among others.
Iris's Chapter
After selling the house in May of 1996
Building a home in Arizona
Built what Iris calls a wonderful home.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Joint ownership and operation of retail businesses
Owned and operated Ben Franklin Variety Stores and Elliot’s Fashions together with unnamed others.
Iris's Chapter
for a few years
Ownership of a bank and an insurance agency
Jointly owned a bank and an insurance agency for a few years.
Iris's Chapter
now
Retail craft supplies at Ben Franklin Crafts
Describes being in retail craft supplies through jointly held Ben Franklin Crafts stores.
Iris's Chapter
at a time of flooding
Evacuating the Rock River home during flooding
Iris remembers loading belongings into a boat and leaving the house during flooding. She thinks it may have been her parents' second house in Moline.
Iris's Chapter
when I was about twelve
Learning to shoot with Dad
Her father taught Iris to shoot and bragged about her ability. She recalls a twenty-two rifle but qualifies her memory.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Learning to dance with Dad
Iris credits her father with teaching her to dance, an activity she says she has loved all her life.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Visits to relatives and fishing in Brainerd
Iris sang with her father on long car trips to Brainerd. During visits to relatives there, he took her fishing and she caught fish.
Iris's Chapter
Bernie and Bob too, later on.
Fishing at the Falk family's lake
Iris and Dad fished at the lake, with Bernie and Bob joining later. They caught many fish and enjoyed fried fish instead of mutton stew.
Iris's Chapter
When Iris was thirteen
Iris helps care for little Barbara
When Barbara came along, Iris was thirteen and helped Mom with her. Barbara became Iris's little pal.
Iris's Chapter
During Diana's childhood
Iris soothes Diana's painful leg
Iris rubbed Diana's ulcerated leg with lard and remembered how little she cried despite the pain.
Iris's Chapter
When Carol was a baby
Carol comes home from the hospital
Carol could not turn the head independently because of weak neck muscles. Mom taught the others to turn the head to the opposite side when passing the baby basket. Carol eventually could hold the head up independently; Iris did not remember how long this took.
Iris's Chapter
During Delores's childhood
Delores's hearing problem is discovered
The discovery explained behavior previously regarded as stubbornness. The family was happy to understand but regretted the scolding Delores had received.
Iris's Chapter
Later years, usually 'Forth of July'
Minnesota family reunion trips
Visited Floyd's siblings and parents. Floyd stopped going to Minnesota after his mother died.
History of the Guild Family
after Iris’ birth in 1930
Mary tells Ethel the “bigamy” story
The story itself is not given. Ethel waited until her own children were adults to tell them.
History of the Guild Family
Before Diana’s college years
Iris brings groceries during the strike
During their father’s strike from John Deere & Company, Diana overheard that grocery money had run out and offered five silver dollars received as hospital gifts. Her mother declined. That day Iris arrived with a station wagon full of groceries, and their mother cried.
Diana's Chapter
One Saturday
Making Glug in the downstairs kitchen
The four spent hours making Glug with port wine, raisins, and spices under Floyd’s direction; his reaction to tasting it suggested disappointment.
Iris's Chapter

Stories mentioning Iris

Referenced in

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