My father was born into a large family. The cast of characters in my book, The Gift of Laughter, is huge. Below is a list of names and pertinent dates. I start with my grandparents and their children.

–Loretta Willems, November 9, 2017

Jacob C. Willems & Helena Zimmerman Willems

(2 Aug 1893—8 Nov 1964)           (6 Feb 1893—30 July 1963)

Married 6 Feb 1909

 

Children

Nick 1908—1983
Stanley 1910—1969
Henry 1911—1935
Helen 1912—1984
Jacob 1914— 2001
John 1915— 2014
Mary 1917—2014
Frank 1919—2015
Edwin 1921–2018
Elizabeth 1923—2012
Martha
Lillian 1926 died soon after birth
Rosella
Clara 1929—1991
Anna Jane 1931—1986