Welcome to December of 1929! Iowans were fascinated by a newspaper's weekly installments of a fictional story about a young woman named Jean Marie. The questions asked and the responses of readers give insight into the controversial topics of the day.  At the Homes, Baby Frieda finds a family and the elderly residents take care of the medical needs of one of their own.  Learn more about the health care of the children - tonsil operations, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever - just to name a few and also hear information about their vaccination process. Despite all the distractions of every day life, Christmas was in the air and Rev. Klein was asking for donations, large and small. He appreciated even the smallest donations because, as he wrote,  "As always, the poor are the best friends of the poor because they know how bitter poverty is." The stories of Christmas are wonderful and, at the end of year, we reflect on the New Year's resolutions from January.

Rev. William Thalacker joins us for Guest in the Homes.  He is the son of the Klein's daughter Erna and  was named after his grandfather William Klein. He shares his recollections of his grandparents and his visits to the Homes. He provides insight into what Rev. Klein may have experienced as a German Lutheran pastor.  Rev. Thalacker also shares recollections of his time on the Board of the Homes during the 1960s. 

Ruth Nelson joins us for Guest in the Homes. She is the daughter of the Klein's daughter Erna and  she shares her recollections of her visits to the Homes and also of her grandparents and mother.  She recalls the stories of the Klein's time in North Dakota and also what happened when her grandfather brought home his first (and only) automobile.