Only a Few but Representing So Many
Only a few, but representing so many, is this group portrait of North Platte women who served as canteen workers and officers of the day. Bottom row, from left: Maude Mischke, Bertha Sawyer, Mayme Wyman, Mrs. George Atchey, Harriet LeMaire, Mary Ellen Land, Maude Coolidge, Mrs. C.H. Avery; second row: Jessie Hutchens, Lydia Jensen, Theresa Huzog, Dorthy Hosford, Leila DuTemple, Flo Forstedt, Eva Muir, Maude Powell; third row: Rose Loncar, Luciel Doebke, Partia Lawson, Edna Neid, Edna Harvey, Regina Interholzinger, Grace Traub, Kattieren Keenan, Minnie Swanson, Frances Seiboldt, Helen Christ; top row: Rose Stevenson, Donna Inman, Pat Loncar, Opal Smith and Ruth Pyle.
An August 1946 North Platte Telegraph news item summarized the endeavors of the canteen women: “After experiencing the joy of having been instrumental in bringing happiness to some fellows who were “just like son Joe and his buddies,” these women became determined to continue the canteen. No matter how tired, they had no desire to quit. Many who served once returned to serve again and still again. Many had sons and brothers, husbands or other loved ones serving in the armed forces. These served because it was a way of serving their own loved ones. Others lost relatives in the war. For these, supporting and serving at the canteen was a way to carry on in their places or perhaps it was ‘what he would have wanted me to do.’”
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