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Margaret Ann Adams, the eldest daughter of Russell and Ruth (VanDyke) Adams, was born on November 15, 1916, at Huxley, Custer County, Nebraska. The family moved to Custer County, north of Broken Bow, when Marageret was five years old, and she started school there. The family then moved to the Senate Valley, where Margaret finished school, graduating from high school in May 1933, at the age of sixteen.
In September 1934, after passing the State Teachers Exams and obtaining a teacher's certificate Margaret began teaching school.
Norman William Kirchmann was born January 3, 1917. In 1935, his family moved to the Senate Valley, and one of Norman's younger sisters entered the school where Margaret taught. Norman was away at the time, working for the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). When he was discharged, and rejoined his family, Margaret and Norman met and fell in love. They were married on February 6, 1937. Norman helped his father on the farm, and worked at any job that was available to survive the depression years. In the summer of 1939, Norman got a job as a bus driver, and the family moved to O'Neill, Nebraska.
After visiting Margaret's brother Wayne's family in Oregon in 1946, and liking what they saw, Norman and Margaret moved to Oregon the following year, settling in Salem. Norman first worked as a school custodian, then got a job as a bus driver again. Margaret picked beans and strawberries, to make some extra money, then got a job as a clerk for the State of Oregon.
After a brief stint at dairy farming, which they had to quit because it was affecting Norman's health, the family moved to Seattle, Washington where Norman worked recapping tires. In 1957 the family moved to Fullerton, California, where Norman worked in an electronics plant, and Margaret worked as an Avon representative. Twelve years later, motivated by the increasing smog and traffic, the family again returned to Oregon. This time, they purchased a small sporting goods and paint store. They lived in a roomy 2-bedroom apartment above the store.
In 1977, they sold the store, and, after months of traveling the western U.S. and Canada in a motor home, the family settled in Toketee Falls, Oregon. Not liking the isolation, the family moved to Roseburg, Oregon in 1980, and stayed there until Norman retired in 1982. Not enjoying the community, the family then moved to Woodburn, Oregon, where they finally felt at home to enjoy their retirement years in a very friendly retirement community.
Norman and Margaret had three children:
| Gladys Dorothy Kirchmann | Born October 18, 1937, in the Senate Valley, Nebraska. Gladys married James Williamson, had three children: Marilyn, Brian and Glen. After Jim died, Gladys remarried to Kenneth Germann who had one son, Mark. Marilyn married James Howe and has two sons: Jayson and Ryan. |
| Delores Elaine Kirchmann | Born March 23, 1938, in the Senate Valley, Nebraska. Delores married Philemon Louis Robinson. |
| Keith William Kirchmann | Born July 12, 1943, in O'Neill, Nebraska. Keith married Sandra Parsons, had two children: Aaron and Rachel. Aaron married Jennifer Kirchmann, and they had a daughter, Caileigh Louise. Keith and Sandra divorced, and Keith later remarried to Sharon Brumfield. |
In her Reflections, included in a book on family history published by Wayne's mother Ruth, Margaret documents some memorable events of her life.