THE J. J. CROSS FAMILY  -  by Mrs. J. J. Cross (Mona Yeo)

Once upon a time in Roblin, thirty miles north of Russell, on the twenty-first day of November, 1934, Joseph John (Joe), second son of Mr. and Mrs.S.H. Cross, was married to Mona Eileen, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.T.A. Yeo. The wedding took place in the Anglican Church with Rev. George Phillips officiating, and the young couple, lived happily ever after - not really that only happens in fairy tales.

However, their first home was in Roblin and it was in this home that their first two children were born. Two girls, Jo Ann Jane and Sheila Yeo.At that time Joe was an agent for British American Oil Co. and in his spare time hauled grain for his farm customers and in the winter trucked cord wood out of the bush. Then in the spring of 1939 the B.A. asked him to take over their agency in Russell. He started to work in April, driving down from Roblin every morning and back at night. Finally in July they were able to get a house to live in and they moved to Russell, into the ‘Devlin house’ near the C.N.R. Station - and they live there to this day.

Sheila was only six months old, and Jo Ann not three years old, so we were very happy to find little Joan Hughes living just across the way - such a good friend for the girls. Life was so good - we lived near a good well. It meant a lot in those days, — our home was big and bare - we had a maid, 15 years old, $8.00 a month - we had a car - and it wasn’t far to Roblin. Almost every week-end we were off to see the grandparents and all the adoring aunts and uncles in
Roblin.

Then in September war was declared, World War II. And changes came quickly. Keeping a home and family became complicated. There were shortages - then rationing of butter, sugar, meat and finally gasoline.

When the girls were old enough for Sunday School we settled down into Anglican Church activities and have tried to help where we could. In July of 1941, when everything was V for Victory, our
first son was born, and we called him Verner Ian. His initials V.I.C. were quite significant. Jo Ann and Sheila were delighted with their baby brother and more than delighted with a new puppy named “Torchy” (our first dog).

Years seemed to pass so quickly - five of them, to be exact. February, 1946, boy No. 2 was born  Clare Marno, we named him. Now we had two of each and things were even, but only for two years. In March, 1948, boy No. 3 was born, and named Danny Russell. Three years later in July, 1951, our fourth boy, Thomas Robert, was born. Oh happy day! Be- lieve it or not, Jo Ann and Sheila were hoping we’d get twin girls. This summer Tommy will be 15 and it will be his 16th summer at Sandy Lake - we him took him to the cabin when he was 17 days old. A new baby couldn’t change all our habits. We always went to Sandy Lake for the summer, so, we went in
1951 and have been going ever since.

That year Jo Ann started school in Russell and one by one the others followed. By the time Tommy started, Jo Ann and Sheila were through. Jo Ann took a Stenographer’s Course and worked in the Bank until she was married in 1961 to James Grant. They now have two girls, Jane and Jacqueline. Sheila went to Teachers’ College and taught school until she was married to Ronald Miller in 1959. They have a daughter, Holly. Both families, Grants and Millers. live in Brandon. Vein is in Thompson working for Ineo. Marno intends to go to M.I.T. in September. At present he is with Joe at the Branch. Danny is in Grade 11 and Tommy Grade 8.

Through the years the girls helped with Figure Skating and in the church G.A. Group and Sunday School. Both of them receiving a Ring of Honor.

The boys have delivered the Free Press for the last 12 years. The route was just handed down from one to another until this winter Tommy turned it over to William Dawidoski. They all ‘ski and skate and swim, and some have played hockey. Vern and Marno helped with the Cubs, and both took their turn as altar-boy at church. Danny has worked at the Banner Bakery for over two
years, after four and on Saturdays. Tom is a great one for outdoors, and a real hockeyist. They seem to keep busy and reasonably happy.

Joe hasn’t been idle either. For years he has served on the Town Council, and as many, or more, on the Church Vestry. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge and at present is treasurer
of the Lodge. This will be Joe’s 27th year at the B.A. Branch in Russell. Joe enjoys curling, and has been a member of the Club for years. Mona has taken an active part in Home and School, and
is at present on the Provincial Executive as a rural vice-president. Her work in the church has included choir, Sunday School superintendent, W.A. and organist. She is a Past Matron of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 10 and has served as grand representative of the State of Michigan, and grand organist for the Grand Chapter of Manitoba Order of the Eastern Star. The Wolf Cubs have
claimed a bit of her time all through the growing up of four sons, but of later years Mona became known as “Akela”, and in April, 1965, was presented with a Warrant of Appointment as a Scouter, by the Boy Scouts of Canada. The rest of her time has been split between house-work and music. An accordion class in Russell, for the last three years, has been interesting and since September, 1965, she has taken over an accordion class in Strathclair, and one in Brandon. Not much time for sport but golf is the favorite.

This has been a long story but then we’re a big family and living in Russell has kept us busy and happy.

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