JEANNE HARLAN BICKERSTAFF

I was born in Chicago, IL, in 1942, to Ray McClure and Rita Leonhardt Harlan, the oldest of 5 children. In 1952, we moved to Deerfield, IL, then to Huntington Sta., NY, in 1954. I moved to Ottawa, KS, in 1963 where I met my husband, Roy. We were married in 1967 and have two daughters, Becki and Rita, and two granddaughters, Ashlee and Kylee.  We were foster parents to a young girl named Dana, who has since adopted us. She has a son, Shawn, and a daughter, Heather, whom we are proud to claim as grandchildren, too.      Roy retired in 2002, but I still play part time at the local Burger King, where most of the kids call me Grandma. It's the most fun job I've ever had.

I am a collector of diverse objects: post cards, playing cards, marbles, mugs, old books, Rex Stout books, Ann MacCaffrey books, and Star Trek (the original stuff) books. Also dust. I read the books I collect. I do genealogy with a vengeance, and try to share my addiction to it  with everyone I can. I have written poems since before my teens and have set some of them to music. I think I have always wanted to be rich and famous. Now, years later, I think I would settle for rich.

Husband: Roy Howard  Bickerstaff, born 24 May 1938 near Ottawa, Kansas. Raised by loving and hard-working parents, he learned well from them. A more patient and loyal friend I have never had. Daughter: Dana, born in November, 1966, moved solidly into our hearts and lives, was gone for a while, and then came back with a roar. She gave us a Dachshund puppy, Daddy's Angel Baby, who is the joy of our life now Grandson: Shawn is graduating from high school this year, a handsome young man if I ever saw one. We're proud of him. Granddaughter: Heather is so beautiful she could be a model. She has a bright future ahead of her. Daughter: Becki, born in Apr 1968. The only left-handed, blonde, blue-gray-green-eyed member of the immediate family, we are not yet sure we have convinced her that she has NOT been adopted. Daughter: Rita, born in Sep 1969. She had the nerve to get me addicted to marbles when she knew that I had plenty of other things to get into trouble over. Granddaughter: Ashlee Nichols, born 23 Sep 1992. Sunshine and hurricanes, ballet and tap dancing before she had a lesson, she sings and dances through our lives. Granddaughter: Kylee Nichols, born 9 Jun 1994. Grins and giggles, a mischievous imp and a magical elf, she steals your heart while you're watching , even if it's already hers for the asking.

My friends come in all shapes and sizes, all moods and dispositions..... I try to look for the child in a person, because most of us are still children in many ways. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself if I look long enough. Most of the time, I like what I see.

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