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Meet Our Parents, Edward and Irene Fleis

By:  Ruth Ann Smith (Fleis)

 

                                            

Ed and Irene Fleis were born in Leelanau County, Michigan, in 1915 and 1916 respectively.    They were married in 1937, a 56 year union separated only by  Irene's death.  Most of their married life was in Leelanau County,  Centerville Township  and then Solon Township for 36 years.

Ed and Irene were both raised  in traditional Catholic families, with farming as their  families' occupation. This background of faith and strong work ethic was a defining influence in their lives.

EDWARD VINCENT FLEIS

Ed was born in Centerville Township, just outside of Cedar, the second oldest of 12 children, to Thomas and Agnes (Pleva) Fleis. Back then, a team of horses was used to plant the many acres of potatoes that the farm produced for a cash crop.  Potatoes were hauled in 150# bags and loaded on the train in Bodus.  The farm also raised oats, wheat, corn, hay, cattle, pigs, chickens, a vegetable garden, and fruit trees to sustain the family.  

Ed attended Holy Rosary School where he was taught English by Felician Nuns, as Polish  was the family language. Every morning Ed awoke at 5:00 a.m, hurriedly did all his chores and walked a mile to school.  Along the way,  he stopped to check on his  elderly, Aunt  Anna Fleis,  who lived alone and stoked the wood stove. He repeated this after school.  After several years, it was sad the morning he arrived at her door to find she had passed away.  It lived in his memory forever.  At age 10, Ed was taught violin  by one of the nuns.  The spark of his talent ignited, as he played  the treasured violin of his paternal grandfather, Tomacz Fleis, who brought the violin with him when he immigrated from Prussia/Poland.  Ed was honored to play violin at Mass and special occasions, and it was instrumental in meeting Irene years later.

Before classes started Ed attended Mass at 8:00 a.m. There were about 100 students who occupied three classrooms.  All subjects were taught besides art and music. It was quite an honor for him to be awarded five years perfect  attendence.  In 7th grade,  Ed won the annual Leelanau County Spelling Bee.  In 1929, at age 14,  he received his 8th grade diploma.  That same year, his father had a sunstroke which made Ed and his older brother, Leo, age 16,  responsible for the  operation of the farm.  The demands of the farm  did not afford continued formal education for Ed.

Over the years, Ed's father, Thomas, became his teacher, guiding him in the skills of carpentry, plumbing, machine repair, electrical installations  and farming.  Ed helped install the first  galvanized roof on  the barn.  He was harnessed in a rope so he wouldn't fall down.  He also helped  build their underground root cellar, where  bushels of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and apples were stored for the family's use.

IRENE DOROTHY FLEIS (LAMIE)

Irene's parents were Eugene and Jennie(Plamondon) Lamie, who also farmed in Centerville Township, closer to the village of Lake Leelanau.  Irene was the sixth born of 8 children.  The Lamie's smaller farm raised crops of potatoes, grain, corn, and hay, a large vegetable garden, fruit trees, and a patch of raspberries.   During harvest season, the freshly ripened produce was sold  at the market in Lake Leelanau.

Irene was of french descent, and attended Martin School, a small one-room school with about 50 students.  By that time Irene's family was speaking the English language.   Irene walked over a mile to school and sometimes bob-sledded over the hills during the winter months. One teacher, Angeline Hominga,  taught all grades,  primary through 8th grade.  When you were promoted to the next grade, you knew exactly what to expect after observing  other grades being taught.

There was no electricity.  The room was lit by kerosene lamps and a large pot belly stove warmed the room and ...no inside plumbing!  When you were thirsty, you went outside and drank water from a pipe which flowed water constantly over a creek nearby.

School was special to Irene because it was exciting to learn!   Irene studied Geography, Physics, Agriculture, English, Spelling, Reading, Arithmetic, History, Ancient History, and Penmanship. She studied religion at St. Mary's Church in  Lake Leelanau and made her First Holy Communion when she was 9 years old.  Irene received her 8th grade diploma in 1929,  at age 13.   She felt proud of her accomplishment  and eagerly looked forward  to attending  high school in the fall.

She went on to attend 9th grade at St. Mary's School,  Lake Leelanau, but only for three months, because transportation wasn't available during the winter months and the school  was five miles from home.  Room and board near the school was an option but it was an added expense her parents couldn't afford. These were tough times of the Great Depression and Irene's parents were allready paying room and board for their older sons.  Her parents decided  that it was more important for their sons to get an education because someday they would be supporting a family. Of course,  Irene was disappointed.

 As Irene helped her mother, Jennie, she learned essential homemaking skills, became an excellent seamstress,  and gained more confidence in the kitchen;  cooking,  making jam, and canning fruits and vegetables.

COURTSHIP/MARRIAGE

Irene met Ed at 19 years of age.  Ed was 20 years old and allready established playing music with a band called Isadore Sodbusters (Ed, Uncle Steve Pleva and Stanley Mikowski).  The band played for special occasions at Centerville Township Hall where Ed and Irene became acquainted.  Ed walked four miles to court Irene. Two years later, Ed asked Irene's father, Lugie,  for her hand in marriage.  Lugie gave them his blessing.  On the morning of their wedding,   Ed  hitch-hiked a ride to church from Frank Mazurek.  Ed and Irene were married at St. Mary's Church, Lake Leelanau,  by the Rev. Father Albert A. Kehren, on September 4th, 1937

They were parents of twelve children, Ruth Ann, Juliette, Edward, Mary Jane, Theodore, James, Bernadette, Lawrence, Shirley, Joan, Noreen, and Rita.  All the  children respect the legacy of their parents.

FAMILY LIFE    

After moving several times in the early years of  marriage, Ed and Irene settled into farm life in 1945, on French Rd., Centerville Township, with were four children.  There was electricity but no other modern conveniences. Water was hand-pumped and heated on the wood stove. Baths were taken in a galvanized tub on the kitchen floor. Dishes were washed in a white enameled dishpan. Ed helped with farming between working small construction jobs.  As a young mother Irene cared for her small children and ran an efficient household.  While living on this farm three more children were born.  In 1949,  Ed and Irene purchased the Fleis homestead, from Ed's father, located on Schomberg Rd, Centerville Township.  The rest of the children were born on this farm.

This home had modern conveniences which included a white, porcelain, kitchen sink and full bathroom upstairs.  Ed remodeled and provided his family with a second full bathroom on the main floor. Wallpapered walls were covered with knotty pine and other walls were freshly painted.  Irene picked a bright chartreuse color above  wanescoating in the dining room.

Moving to this farm meant more work for Irene and her growing family.  The older children  had to rise early to keep up with all their chores.  Irene had plenty of domestic work to do in a very busy household  as she supervised  most of the farm activity.  Ed's outside jobs were increasing which brought much needed income. From time to time, Ed's father would stop by and  help out.  He would follow the potato digger, making certain the kids were picking potatoes.  Neighbors helped out, too! especially during  late summer season;  husking corn and trashin' wheat.

Irene was thrifty and sewed most of her childrens clothing when they were young.  On one occasion, she was given a used ladies coat.  She removed all the stitching, fashioned her own pattern,  and produced two warm coats and muffs for her daughters to wear. Scraps of material never went to waste, they were used to make quilt tops, and hot pads.

Sundays were a day of much needed rest and Irene was always prepared for company.  Folks stopped by to visit anytime during the week and relatives often gathered on Sundays.  Irene would  always serve a special Sunday feast.  She was a superb cook and everyone looked forward to her wonderful meals, especially her tasty fried chicken!   It was the best!! ( Many of her recipes are in "Our Family Cook Book).  Ed would always toast: "Nas Drowie!" (Here's to your health!) when offering a beverage.  The blessing of a prayer before dinner was always said  by everyone.

Besides sharing laughter, food and drink, you could always count on playing cards.....  especially Euchre and Cribbage!  It was a rare occasion when you didn't hear music, too!    There was always time for fun in the Fleis household.

MUSIC

Ed entertained his family, playing violin, and the children would dance with each other in the living room.  Quite often, whenever Ed and Irene attended a family or social event,  he had his violin tucked away in the car,  just in case he might be invited to play. Ed was honored  to play  his music at many occasions, and enjoyed playing violin throughtout his lifetime.

Irene would tell her daughters to "sing" as they were doing the dishes, and she'd start singing herself.  Pretty soon the girls were singing their mother's favorite songs. Then the music spread to the rest of the family.   To this day, you will hear Ed and Irene's adult children sing the  songs they learned in childhood:  "The  Bible Tells Me So",  " Let The Sunshine In", and "Que Serra, Serra".  On the occasion of Ed and Irene's Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1987,  the children surprised their parents by singing a revised version of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas".

FAITH

Ed and Irene were lifetime members of Holy Rosary Church.  Ed was a choir member and  belonged to the Holy Name Society.  He was a 4th degree Knights Of Columbus member and served the color guard.  Irene was a lifetime member of Holy Rosary Ladies Rosary Society and belonged to the 3rd Order Of Dominicans. Ed and Irene were both actively involved with  church activities. Irene lend a hand preparing food for summer and fall festivals.  Ed pitched tent, worked Bingo, and did miscellaneous jobs.

Faith was not limited to the confines of the church.  The children witnessed a wonderful prayer life of each of their parents.  They said the rosary daily, and if one of the children got up very early  in the morning, they would see their father kneeling in the living room saying his prayers.  Their mother did the same, but knelt in the bedroom. ( This was repeated in the evening).

EDUCATION OF FAMILY

Irene loved to teach her children.  She concentrated on making learning fun for them.  Spelling out words was second nature  to her and it would make the children think and help them learn to read.  Irene was determined that all her children excel in their education and graduate from high school,  something she had always wanted to do.

A good education  was reinforced when all twelve children attended 1st through 8th grade at  Holy Rosary School where the three oldest children graduated from high school. Ed and Irene were  members of the Holy Rosary PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) while their children were in school.  In 1961 the high school at Holy Rosary closed. Glen Lake Community School opened and many students chose to transfer.  Ed served as Trustee on Glen Lake School Board when Cedar, Maple City, Glen Arbor, and Empire Schools consolidated. The rest of the family continued their education at various high schools, including St. Francis School, Traverse City,  St. Mary's School, Lake Leelanau, and Glen Lake Community School.   All twelve children earned a 12th grade diploma which made Ed and Irene extremely proud of their family's achievment.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

In 1949, at the age of 34,  Ed formed his own construction company.  His accomplishments bear witness to his success.  He built the Cedar Post Office, Holy Rosary Convent, and remodeled Holy Rosary School. He engineered and  constructed the Kalkaska Fish Hatchery which currently is  state land. Ed also contracted  to build many residential homes along with barns and silos throughout Leelanau  County.  Ed supervised  the engineering and construction of the Cedar River Project which also involved installation of the red and white galvanized walking bridge, donated by his daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Ray Watkoski.  A commemorative plaque honoring this achievment is placed  in Solon Township Park.

 In 1960 Ed and Irene purchased a business and property from Lewis D. Commins in the village of Cedar. The property came with two buildings; a newer vacant concrete building, and an older wooden structure which had  "hitchin' posts'" in front.  Customers used to strap their horse to the post while they shopped for general farming merchandise.  The only inventory remaining  in the old store were" a few rusty nails and some seed corn"  The old store was burned down, and Ed and Irene "started from scratch"  building inventory in their new business which they named Cedar Hardware and Farm Store.  With  help  of family members and Ed's wealth of knowledge and experience  in construction and farm supplies, plus Irene's interest in supplying customers with small household items, toys, and school supplies, the family store became a thriving business.  They maintained the business for 12 years.

Ed and Irene moved to the village of Cedar in 1964.  They had  lived on the Fleis homestead  for 15 years.

COMMUNITY

Ed and Irene were well known and respected in the community.  Besides supporting church, school, and other organizations, they were business owners in downtown Cedar which provided stronger family ties and helpfulness to a wider community.  Ed was charter member of the Cedar Chamber Of Commerce and was president when the Chamber sponsored its 1st Polka Festival, in 1976, which continues today with great success.  He was also a charter member of Cedar-Maple City Lions' Club.   Ed served his community as a long-time volunteer.  One of his favorite pastimes was the caller of BINGO!

LEGACY

Both parents were leaders:  Irene in the household, and Ed in the business world.  They inspired their children to be strong in their faith of God, and encouraged family togetherness.  They both supported higher education for their family, and the children excelled!  Six children completed advanced education and received degrees.  Two sons served the military (Marines and Army).  Most of the children became entrepreneurs.  The family has served the fields of engineering, construction, excavation, industrial computer controls, nursing, cosmetology, office administration, banking, travel, and public service.

The love of music Ed and Irene shared with their family continues today, as the family produced three family bands, and the children enjoy singing (solo, small group, or all together).

Irene was a loving wife and business partner of Ed and she nurtured and loved her children.   Her spirit of determination led them to succeed, and  her unfailing discipline contributed to the childrens' character. As Irene advanced in years, she would say, "my children are my best friends"!  Irene lived a  good and fulfilling life of 78 years.  Shortly after Irene's death,  Ed remarked,  how  "thankful" he was "to get along with all his children".  Ed was a "card shark" and loved to challenge his family;  playing cribbage  and card games.  He was always ahead of the game.....keeping score!!  Ed loved his wife, Irene, the mother of all his children, and provided wisely for all of them.   He lived to see five generations in his family.  Ed  enjoyed a long, full and rewarding life of 86 years, until his death in 2001. 

Influenced by their parents modeling all the Ed and Irene Fleis offspring enjoy meaningful family and community lives.   Together, the twelve children are so thankful for the lessons, values, discipline,  myriad of skills and musical abilities  they have been so fortunate to inherit.