Mildred Louise Obright was born to Amy Louise Obright on February 26, 1911 near Litchville, Barnes Co., ND. Amy knew she couldn't support her daughter as a single mother, so she asked local church elders to help her find a home for her baby, yet unborn.
The church elders searched for a home for the soon-to-be-born infant. They walked from house to house in the cold North Dakota winter, asking every good Christian family in Litchville to adopt a baby. When they reached the Frogen home, Henry didn't have a chance to answer the church elders - his wife exclaimed, "Yes!" before the elder had finished the question. Henry and Trina had been married for nearly ten years, and were unable to conceive, so this child was an answer to their prayers. Baby Mildred was adopted by Henry H. Frogen and Trina Amelia Johnson Frogen of Litchville, ND when she was two days old, and was renamed Nora Mildred Elouise Frogen.
Nora's birth and adoptive mothers corresponded regularly until Trina received a letter from Amy in late 1916. Amy was living in Billings, Montana, and was happily married to a man named Harry Banks Davis. She also dearly missed her little daughter. Trina was worried that Amy would come back for Nora, so she severed all ties with Amy, never writing to her again, refusing later letters.
Nora's adoptive father, a prosperous blacksmith, died when she was thirteen, forcing her mother to move them from their beautiful home in Litchville, ND to a small farm.
At the age of 18, Nora saw a man ride by on a motorcycle. She would have loved to ride on that motorcycle, but good Christian girls didn't ride on the backs of motorcycles, so she put the thought away and tended to her chores. The man would occasionally drive past and wave. She waved back, hoping to someday meet him. One day, her mother called her to come outside. Who was there, but the young man pushing his motorcycle up the driveway! The young man, she learned, was Hugo Esperum. He needed to borrow some tools to fix his motorcycle, which had inexplicably stopped running right in front of their driveway. Nora showed him to the tools, and it didn't take long until his Indian Scout was running like new. She knew she'd never see him again, unless it was at church, and she still wanted to ride... Then, Hugo asked if she would take a ride with him! Amazingly, her mother relented, since the Esperums were a good family and Trina felt she could trust Hugo to take care of her daughter.
That motorcycle ride was the beginning of a romance, a marriage, two children, and a life filled with hard times during the Depression, the loss of three babies to miscarriage...and much love. Nora's love and faith was simple, yet enduring, as noted by Rev. Mike Brown during her eulogy in 1987.
Nora was compelled to search for her birth mother after her adoptive mother died. Sadly, she learned that both Amy and her husband had passed away in Seattle, WA. She did, however, get to meet Obright family members near Dent, MN, which was one of the happiest days of her life. Those relatives told her that she resembled her birth mother. They also gave her a photo of Amy, which she treasured.
Nora moved to California in 1979 and was amazed and delighted at the orchards, vineyards and fields of bounty. Her son-in-law lovingly provided her with fresh fruit, cantaloupe being her favorite, and she flourished in central California's San Joaquin Valley.
Mom always had a soft spot for motorcycles and loved to hear them roar. One day, as we were walking down the street in Turlock, she stopped to admire the motorcycles parked on the street. She smiled a little smile and said, "You know, I've always wondered if Dad's motorcycle really broke down all those years ago. He would never say, but he fixed it almost too quickly."
Nora died on May 5, 1987 at Emanuel Hospital, Turlock, CA, following two heart attacks. She was buried at Turlock Memorial Park in Turlock, CA. Years earlier, Nora saw funeral corteges pass her home en route to the cemetery. She told her daughter, "Some day, that'll be me." Special arrangements were made with Allen Mortuary to pass Nora's home en route to the cemetery.
Nora is survived by her daughter Karen (Robert) Kelley and son Harold (Donna) Esperum, as well as grandchildren, Greg Heck II, Meredith Kelley and Duane, Dale, Curtis and Miriam Esperum.
The church elders searched for a home for the soon-to-be-born infant. They walked from house to house in the cold North Dakota winter, asking every good Christian family in Litchville to adopt a baby. When they reached the Frogen home, Henry didn't have a chance to answer the church elders - his wife exclaimed, "Yes!" before the elder had finished the question. Henry and Trina had been married for nearly ten years, and were unable to conceive, so this child was an answer to their prayers. Baby Mildred was adopted by Henry H. Frogen and Trina Amelia Johnson Frogen of Litchville, ND when she was two days old, and was renamed Nora Mildred Elouise Frogen.
Nora's birth and adoptive mothers corresponded regularly until Trina received a letter from Amy in late 1916. Amy was living in Billings, Montana, and was happily married to a man named Harry Banks Davis. She also dearly missed her little daughter. Trina was worried that Amy would come back for Nora, so she severed all ties with Amy, never writing to her again, refusing later letters.
Nora's adoptive father, a prosperous blacksmith, died when she was thirteen, forcing her mother to move them from their beautiful home in Litchville, ND to a small farm.
At the age of 18, Nora saw a man ride by on a motorcycle. She would have loved to ride on that motorcycle, but good Christian girls didn't ride on the backs of motorcycles, so she put the thought away and tended to her chores. The man would occasionally drive past and wave. She waved back, hoping to someday meet him. One day, her mother called her to come outside. Who was there, but the young man pushing his motorcycle up the driveway! The young man, she learned, was Hugo Esperum. He needed to borrow some tools to fix his motorcycle, which had inexplicably stopped running right in front of their driveway. Nora showed him to the tools, and it didn't take long until his Indian Scout was running like new. She knew she'd never see him again, unless it was at church, and she still wanted to ride... Then, Hugo asked if she would take a ride with him! Amazingly, her mother relented, since the Esperums were a good family and Trina felt she could trust Hugo to take care of her daughter.
That motorcycle ride was the beginning of a romance, a marriage, two children, and a life filled with hard times during the Depression, the loss of three babies to miscarriage...and much love. Nora's love and faith was simple, yet enduring, as noted by Rev. Mike Brown during her eulogy in 1987.
Nora was compelled to search for her birth mother after her adoptive mother died. Sadly, she learned that both Amy and her husband had passed away in Seattle, WA. She did, however, get to meet Obright family members near Dent, MN, which was one of the happiest days of her life. Those relatives told her that she resembled her birth mother. They also gave her a photo of Amy, which she treasured.
Nora moved to California in 1979 and was amazed and delighted at the orchards, vineyards and fields of bounty. Her son-in-law lovingly provided her with fresh fruit, cantaloupe being her favorite, and she flourished in central California's San Joaquin Valley.
Mom always had a soft spot for motorcycles and loved to hear them roar. One day, as we were walking down the street in Turlock, she stopped to admire the motorcycles parked on the street. She smiled a little smile and said, "You know, I've always wondered if Dad's motorcycle really broke down all those years ago. He would never say, but he fixed it almost too quickly."
Nora died on May 5, 1987 at Emanuel Hospital, Turlock, CA, following two heart attacks. She was buried at Turlock Memorial Park in Turlock, CA. Years earlier, Nora saw funeral corteges pass her home en route to the cemetery. She told her daughter, "Some day, that'll be me." Special arrangements were made with Allen Mortuary to pass Nora's home en route to the cemetery.
Nora is survived by her daughter Karen (Robert) Kelley and son Harold (Donna) Esperum, as well as grandchildren, Greg Heck II, Meredith Kelley and Duane, Dale, Curtis and Miriam Esperum.
Mildred Louise Obright was born to Amy Louise Obright on February 26, 1911 near Litchville, Barnes Co., ND. Amy knew she couldn't support her daughter as a single mother, so she asked local church elders to help her find a home for her baby, yet unborn.
The church elders searched for a home for the soon-to-be-born infant. They walked from house to house in the cold North Dakota winter, asking every good Christian family in Litchville to adopt a baby. When they reached the Frogen home, Henry didn't have a chance to answer the church elders - his wife exclaimed, "Yes!" before the elder had finished the question. Henry and Trina had been married for nearly ten years, and were unable to conceive, so this child was an answer to their prayers. Baby Mildred was adopted by Henry H. Frogen and Trina Amelia Johnson Frogen of Litchville, ND when she was two days old, and was renamed Nora Mildred Elouise Frogen.
Nora's birth and adoptive mothers corresponded regularly until Trina received a letter from Amy in late 1916. Amy was living in Billings, Montana, and was happily married to a man named Harry Banks Davis. She also dearly missed her little daughter. Trina was worried that Amy would come back for Nora, so she severed all ties with Amy, never writing to her again, refusing later letters.
Nora's adoptive father, a prosperous blacksmith, died when she was thirteen, forcing her mother to move them from their beautiful home in Litchville, ND to a small farm.
At the age of 18, Nora saw a man ride by on a motorcycle. She would have loved to ride on that motorcycle, but good Christian girls didn't ride on the backs of motorcycles, so she put the thought away and tended to her chores. The man would occasionally drive past and wave. She waved back, hoping to someday meet him. One day, her mother called her to come outside. Who was there, but the young man pushing his motorcycle up the driveway! The young man, she learned, was Hugo Esperum. He needed to borrow some tools to fix his motorcycle, which had inexplicably stopped running right in front of their driveway. Nora showed him to the tools, and it didn't take long until his Indian Scout was running like new. She knew she'd never see him again, unless it was at church, and she still wanted to ride... Then, Hugo asked if she would take a ride with him! Amazingly, her mother relented, since the Esperums were a good family and Trina felt she could trust Hugo to take care of her daughter.
That motorcycle ride was the beginning of a romance, a marriage, two children, and a life filled with hard times during the Depression, the loss of three babies to miscarriage...and much love. Nora's love and faith was simple, yet enduring, as noted by Rev. Mike Brown during her eulogy in 1987.
Nora was compelled to search for her birth mother after her adoptive mother died. Sadly, she learned that both Amy and her husband had passed away in Seattle, WA. She did, however, get to meet Obright family members near Dent, MN, which was one of the happiest days of her life. Those relatives told her that she resembled her birth mother. They also gave her a photo of Amy, which she treasured.
Nora moved to California in 1979 and was amazed and delighted at the orchards, vineyards and fields of bounty. Her son-in-law lovingly provided her with fresh fruit, cantaloupe being her favorite, and she flourished in central California's San Joaquin Valley.
Mom always had a soft spot for motorcycles and loved to hear them roar. One day, as we were walking down the street in Turlock, she stopped to admire the motorcycles parked on the street. She smiled a little smile and said, "You know, I've always wondered if Dad's motorcycle really broke down all those years ago. He would never say, but he fixed it almost too quickly."
Nora died on May 5, 1987 at Emanuel Hospital, Turlock, CA, following two heart attacks. She was buried at Turlock Memorial Park in Turlock, CA. Years earlier, Nora saw funeral corteges pass her home en route to the cemetery. She told her daughter, "Some day, that'll be me." Special arrangements were made with Allen Mortuary to pass Nora's home en route to the cemetery.
Nora is survived by her daughter Karen (Robert) Kelley and son Harold (Donna) Esperum, as well as grandchildren, Greg Heck II, Meredith Kelley and Duane, Dale, Curtis and Miriam Esperum.
The church elders searched for a home for the soon-to-be-born infant. They walked from house to house in the cold North Dakota winter, asking every good Christian family in Litchville to adopt a baby. When they reached the Frogen home, Henry didn't have a chance to answer the church elders - his wife exclaimed, "Yes!" before the elder had finished the question. Henry and Trina had been married for nearly ten years, and were unable to conceive, so this child was an answer to their prayers. Baby Mildred was adopted by Henry H. Frogen and Trina Amelia Johnson Frogen of Litchville, ND when she was two days old, and was renamed Nora Mildred Elouise Frogen.
Nora's birth and adoptive mothers corresponded regularly until Trina received a letter from Amy in late 1916. Amy was living in Billings, Montana, and was happily married to a man named Harry Banks Davis. She also dearly missed her little daughter. Trina was worried that Amy would come back for Nora, so she severed all ties with Amy, never writing to her again, refusing later letters.
Nora's adoptive father, a prosperous blacksmith, died when she was thirteen, forcing her mother to move them from their beautiful home in Litchville, ND to a small farm.
At the age of 18, Nora saw a man ride by on a motorcycle. She would have loved to ride on that motorcycle, but good Christian girls didn't ride on the backs of motorcycles, so she put the thought away and tended to her chores. The man would occasionally drive past and wave. She waved back, hoping to someday meet him. One day, her mother called her to come outside. Who was there, but the young man pushing his motorcycle up the driveway! The young man, she learned, was Hugo Esperum. He needed to borrow some tools to fix his motorcycle, which had inexplicably stopped running right in front of their driveway. Nora showed him to the tools, and it didn't take long until his Indian Scout was running like new. She knew she'd never see him again, unless it was at church, and she still wanted to ride... Then, Hugo asked if she would take a ride with him! Amazingly, her mother relented, since the Esperums were a good family and Trina felt she could trust Hugo to take care of her daughter.
That motorcycle ride was the beginning of a romance, a marriage, two children, and a life filled with hard times during the Depression, the loss of three babies to miscarriage...and much love. Nora's love and faith was simple, yet enduring, as noted by Rev. Mike Brown during her eulogy in 1987.
Nora was compelled to search for her birth mother after her adoptive mother died. Sadly, she learned that both Amy and her husband had passed away in Seattle, WA. She did, however, get to meet Obright family members near Dent, MN, which was one of the happiest days of her life. Those relatives told her that she resembled her birth mother. They also gave her a photo of Amy, which she treasured.
Nora moved to California in 1979 and was amazed and delighted at the orchards, vineyards and fields of bounty. Her son-in-law lovingly provided her with fresh fruit, cantaloupe being her favorite, and she flourished in central California's San Joaquin Valley.
Mom always had a soft spot for motorcycles and loved to hear them roar. One day, as we were walking down the street in Turlock, she stopped to admire the motorcycles parked on the street. She smiled a little smile and said, "You know, I've always wondered if Dad's motorcycle really broke down all those years ago. He would never say, but he fixed it almost too quickly."
Nora died on May 5, 1987 at Emanuel Hospital, Turlock, CA, following two heart attacks. She was buried at Turlock Memorial Park in Turlock, CA. Years earlier, Nora saw funeral corteges pass her home en route to the cemetery. She told her daughter, "Some day, that'll be me." Special arrangements were made with Allen Mortuary to pass Nora's home en route to the cemetery.
Nora is survived by her daughter Karen (Robert) Kelley and son Harold (Donna) Esperum, as well as grandchildren, Greg Heck II, Meredith Kelley and Duane, Dale, Curtis and Miriam Esperum.
