The Walworthians: Klingsing
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
“The most enjoyable aspect of gathering information for my weekly column “Cornucopia” for 15 years was conducting telephone interviews with People living in our community who put the accent on worth. Although these have been published in public domain newspapers, Thank you, again, for sharing your hopes for our town, dreams for its future, disappointments with government issues, the early history of our town and their families, and the experiences of entrepreneurship to establish businesses in our small, rural town in upstate New York.
Kate Chamberlin
Fern Carrie Ida Fraass Piper MacUmber Klingsing
February 16, 1995
Fern Klingzing died on February 3, 1995 at the age of 94.6. Warm, friendly, talented, intelligent, ahead of her time and fiercely independent are some of the words that describe my friend.
About three years ago, the mail carrier stopped in to ask me what things might be helpful in filling Fern’s days with her new “physical challenges”. She was hard of hearing and going blind. She had to shuffle along using a walker.
That afternoon, Fern and I had our first of many “phone visits”. We realized right away that we were kindred spirits. She would end each of our conversations with, “See you in church.”, even though she never did go to church.
Fern’s father died when she was rather young. Her mother opened a shoe store in their home on the old south side of Rochester. All four daughters were expected to help. Fern’s business acumen, competency, and drive made her a success. She eventually became the shoe buyer for McCurdy’s Shoe Department.
Circumstances left Fern as the sole support of a two-year old son, Don. In 1947. They moved into the home on Maple Avenue. Walworth, with her second husband Karl Klingsing. They did extensive remodeling to the old farm house she’d fallen in love with. She insisted on a wood burning stove in the kitchen, indoor bathroom and several other modern touches. The American flag always flew proudly over her new homestead.
She began collecting antiques and to paint with oils. She has 115 paintings scattered throughout 11 states.
When Karl died, in 1973, she bought a piano. Her home was filled with music and friends.
Classical music and opera were her favorites to listen to as she reclined in her heated, vibrating leather chair. Two of her favorite TV shows were wrestling and Jeopardy. I would often call her at 8:00 P.M. to see which of us had gotten the correct question for final Jeopardy.
She played Lottery by mail. I don’t think she ever won much.
“Don’t live to be 90. You won’t like it.” was her advice to everyone. Her body was wearing out, but her mind and memory were sharper than most of ours. She could recall poetry stanza by stanza by stanza. I swear, she had the entire series of McGuffy’s Readers memorized by heart.
When we talked, I taped the poems she’d quote. She was so enthusiastic and pleased that I was using her quotes for this (“Cornucopia”) column in the “Guess What Fern Says…” I would often get a phone call from her whenever she’d remembered another tidbit for this column. She was very concerned that I’d get jailed for plagiarism!
Fern was always interested in what we were doing. She felt genuinely proud of me when I let her hold the first issue of ‘Good Dog! Magazine’ containing my first article about my guide dog in it. Neither one of us could see enough to read it, but it was enough to hold the magazine and know it was about Future. Her beloved dog, Silver, had died several years prior to this. She gave me Silver’s brush for Future Grace.
Sometimes she would say something very un-refined, then quickly say, “Did I shock you?”
Nevertheless, she was a great lady through and through. Knowing Fern was an honor and a pleasure. I feel very blessed. I shall miss her.
**Fern Carrie Ida Fraass Piper MacUmber Klingsing, August 14, 1900 – February 3, 1995.
There’s a new angel amongst the host,
God has granted the wish Fern wanted most,
She is at home in His embrace.
A new star marks her heavenly entrance place.
Some angels are bold and brassy,
A few are loud and sassy.
My Fern is full of quotes witty and classy
That she memorized as a wee lassie.
Good Bye, Fern. I love you.
7/27/2017 Up-Date: We often drive by Fern’s former home on our way into Palmyra. The new family built a small barn in the back and installed children’s play equipment. Ye ole homestead looks well-kept and happy with beautiful roses on the split rail fence.
The Walworthians
Copyright (C) July 20, 2017
By Kate Chamberlin