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Dublin Core
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Title
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Family Histories
Type
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Oral History
Subject
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Oral accounts of various family histories
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Bristow Historical Society, oral history collection
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
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Regan Siler
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Sharon VanOrsdol
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https://bristoworalhistory.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=OHP-0077_Sharon_VanOrsdol.xml
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6.0 October 30, 2025 OHP-0077 Sharon VanOrsdol OHP-0077 00:54:01 Bristow Historical Society, Inc. bristowhistory Sharon VanOrsdol Regan Siler 0 https://bristoworalhistory.org/interviews/OHP-0077 VanOrsdol, Sharon.mp4 Other video 0 Birth Regan Siler 00:00
 ; This is Regan Siler with the Bristow Historical Society in Bristow, Oklahoma. This interview is part of the Historical Society's ongoing oral history project. The date is October 30, 2025 and I'm here with Sharon VanOrsdol at the Bristow Library Annex. She's going to tell us a little bit about her life and what it's like living and working in the Bristow area. Can you please state your full name? 
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 00:24
 ; Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol. 
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 00:27
 ; Okay, and do I have permission to do this interview?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 00:30
 ; Yes, you do.
 ; Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol was born on July 9, 1949. She was born at her family's home in Gypsy, Oklahoma. Bristow Historical Society ; Bristow (Okla.) ; Bristow Library Annex ; Gypsy (Okla.) Birth 0 44 Parents Regan Siler 00:44
 ; At home. Okay, well, let's start by talking about your family. Can you tell me what your parents full names are?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 00:53
 ; My dad's name is Jesse Henry, and my mom's name was Winnie McGuire. She had no middle name. 
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 01:01
 ; No middle name, okay? And I have your dad's birthday as 3/24/1909 with date of death, 11/2/1977.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 01:14
 ; That's correct.
 ; Sharon's father was Jesse Henry Brown. Her mother was Winnie McGuire Brown. Her mother had no middle name. Jesse Henry Brown ; Winnie McGuire Brown Parents 0 97 Siblings Regan Siler 01:37
 ; Yes, yeah, because Rachel would bring me some sometimes. Okay. Do you have any siblings? 
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 01:43
 ; I do. I have seven siblings. Betty Louise [Brown] was born and only lived a couple of months. And then my brother, Henry, Henry Oscar Brown, Wilma Irene Brown Duke, Margaret Mae Ailey or Brown Ailey, Fredia Christine Brown Fowler, Shirley Faye Brown, she never married, myself-Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol and my youngest sister, Earlene Marie Brown Bostick. 
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 02:26
 ; I don't guess I realized you had that many siblings. Man, you had a big family.
 ; Sharon was born into a large family. She had seven siblings. Sadly, only Sharon and two other siblings are still living. Betty Louise Brown ; Henry Oscar Brown ; Wilma Irene Brown Duke ; Margaret Mae Brown Ailey ; Fredia Christine Brown Fowler ; Shirley Faye Brown ; Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol ; Earlene Marie Brown Bostick Siblings 0 154 Home Regan Siler 02:34
 ; Three left. Okay, so where did you live growing up, and did you have family living nearby you growing up?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 02:43
 ; Actually, I've lived in the Gypsy area all my life. We lived eight miles south of Bristow, in the Gypsy area. I was born there, raised there. My dad drove a bus there for a while, and then he worked for the county for several years. My mom was always a housewife. And of course, with that many kids, you stay busy.
 ; Sharon has always lived in the Gypsy area. Growing up, her family lived eight miles south of Bristow. Her father drove a bus, and then later worked for the county. Sharon's mother was a housewife and stayed busy with all of the children. Her mother also quilted. Jesse Henry Brown ; Winnie McGuire Brown ; Gypsy (Okla.) ; Missouri ; Kellyville (Okla.) Home 0 266 School Regan Siler 04:26
 ; In Missouri? Okay, okay. Well, can you tell me about your school life? Where did you first attend school?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 04:35
 ; I attended Gypsy School. At that time, it was K through eighth. My sisters and brother, actually, or part of them, graduated from Gypsy School when it was first through twelfth. Actually, it wasn't K. They didn't have Kindergarten at the time, so it was first through eighth. So, I went the first eight years there at Gypsy and then I transferred to Depew. At that time, we had an option of going to Depew or going to Bristow, and I chose to go to Depew. I graduated from Depew High School.
 ; Sharon attended Gypsy School from the first through eighth grade. She then transferred to Depew and graduated from there in 1967. Sharon loved school. She remembers her first grade teacher, Mrs. Burton. She lived by the school and would take them to her house for treats. Bristow Public Schools (Bristow, Okla.) ; Gypsy Public Schools (Gypsy, Okla.) ; Depew Public Schools (Depew, Oklahoma) ; Mrs. Burton School 0 377 Mealtimes Regan Siler 06:17
 ; Right, okay. Well, tell me about what meal times were like in your family. Did everyone like get together every evening for dinner and sit down at the table and eat?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 06:29
 ; We did. Everybody pretty much had their meals. They had their breakfast together. And of course, everybody was going about their daily routines at lunchtime. And then we were all home for supper, that's correct. And we didn't go out and eat. It was you ate what you got, you ate what was on the table, and you enjoyed it.
 ; Sharon and her family ate dinner together every night. They even had breakfast together most days. She says they did not go out to eat and that you ate what was on the table. Sharon says that all of the children were taught how to cook and clean. She remembers chocolate gravy being a favorite for breakfast. Winnie McGuire Brown Mealtimes 0 483 Community Activities Regan Siler 08:03
 ; Well, thinking back to town life and growing up, what were some of your favorite community activities as a young person? I know a lot of people have talked about like Western Heritage Days, day camp, county fair, stuff like that. Do you have any particular memories growing up that you enjoyed doing in Bristow?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 08:25
 ; Do you want growing up or after I after I got in town and started working? Actually, we didn't really get to participate in things growing up. We lived eight miles south of town, and, you know, we just did what we did around home. We didn't get to go into town for a lot of activities or get involved.
 ; Sharon and her family did not participate in very many community activities, because they lived so far out of Bristow. The highlight of their Saturdays was coming to town. Her parents would park their car at the depot. Sharon and her siblings would play under the water tower while their parents ran their errands. Western Heritage Days ; Bristow (Okla.) ; Jesse Henry Brown ; Winnie McGuire Brown ; Bristow Train Depot Community Activities 0 600 Bristow Businesses Regan Siler 10:00
 ; Yeah, okay. Do you remember what some of the biggest or most popular businesses were growing up around town, or something that maybe stuck out in your memory as a youngster?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 10:11
 ; Yeah, Henderson's Furniture Store, I remember that. M & ; P Grocery Store, I think, and let's see Shamas [Shamas Dry Goods], Strong's.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 10:31
 ; A lot of those, I've heard people talk about.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 10:34
 ; I was trying to think of the dress shops that were there. There actually was a dress shop, I can't remember what the name of that was.
 ; Sharon remembers some of the businesses in Bristow from her childhood, M& ; P Grocery Store, Shamas Dry Goods and Strong's. Sharon's mother made most of their clothes, but they did shop for shoes at Strong's. M& ; P Grocery Store ; Shamas Dry Goods ; Strong's ; T& ; J ; Frosty Freeze Businesses ; Bristow (Okla.) 0 721 Car Regan Siler 12:01
 ; Didn't nescessarily. Well, do you remember your first car?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 12:08
 ; I remember it was, I think it was a Chevy. I got it right after I graduated. It was an older Chevy. I don't remember.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 12:20
 ; So was it just your car? Or did you have to share?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 12:23
 ; No, that one was just mine. And like I said, I got it after I graduated, because I was starting a job. And I needed a way to get to work. And, honestly, I don't really remember my sisters' cars as they were going up, or my brother. I know my sisters attended a business college. And in Tulsa, Fredia and Margaret did Draughon's School of Business. That's where they went. But I honestly can't tell you a whole lot about their vehicles. I was just busy growing up.
 ; Sharon's first car was a Chevy. She got it after high school. She was starting a job and needed it to get to and from work. Chevrolet automobile ; Tulsa (Okla.) ; Fredia Christine Brown Fowler ; Margaret Mae Brown Ailey ; Draughon's School of Business Car 0 778 Childhood Home Regan Siler 12:58
 ; Or just happy to be able to get around. Well, tell me about the house that you grew up in. What was it like?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 13:07
 ; It was a little, two-story house. It set there eight miles south and a quarter of a mile back, west, north I guess. Actually, there's a house sitting there now that actually burned right after I got married. It burned, so my mom and dad built another little house in the same location. But you can imagine we were two in a bed, and you know all there and happy as a lark.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 13:41
 ; Right. So did you as far as entertainment at home, I'm guessing you guys spent most of your time outdoors?
 ; Sharon's childhood home was a little, two-story house. Sharon said it was two in a bed while she was growing up. The house burned after Sharon was married, and her parents built another house in the same location. Jesse Henry Brown ; Winnie McGuire Brown Childhood Home 0 821 Entertainment Regan Siler 13:41
 ; Right. So did you as far as entertainment at home, I'm guessing you guys spent most of your time outdoors?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 13:48
 ; We did. They did get a TV later on. I don't remember how old, but we didn't have one when we were really young. We had one a little later. But we went outside, we made mud pies, we made forts in the woods, and we rode bikes. And you know, we entertained ourselves. 
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 14:13
 ; Right.
 ; Sharon and her siblings spent most of their free time outdoors. They made mud pies, forts in the woods, and they rode their bikes. Sharon says that they did get a television later on. Her father loved watching wrestling shows. Television ; Jesse Henry Brown Entertainment 0 915 Childhood Dreams Regan Siler 15:15
 ; Okay. Well, as a child do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 15:24
 ; You know, as a child, we never really thought about that. Or I never really thought about that, you know.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 15:32
 ; You were just busy being a kid.
 ; Sharon says as a child that she did not really think about a career other than being a housewife. She says she was busy being kid. She was playing outside and playing school and church with her siblings. Dreams Childhood Dreams 0 953 Hosting Regan Siler 15:53
 ; Right, right. So being there where you grew up, did your dad farm or anything? Did you have farm chores and stuff to do?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 16:03
 ; We didn't really have a farm. We had a few cows, and they always raised a big garden, and we had a horse. We'd ride the horse occasionally, and we didn't do that a whole lot. But I do remember almost every Sunday, we would get together with my aunt and uncle, who is my mom's brother, and my dad's sister. Because mom and dad married brothers and sisters, so they were actually our double cousins. And either we would go there on Sunday, or they would come to our house, the whole family. And I remember, Uncle Walter and Aunt Tressie (sp), they had horses. And we would get out there and ride horses or donkeys, play croquet, badminton, things like that. But we just always were a family like that, we had people over. Mom would always have the preacher over, or somebody for lunch. And I actually had a cousin that moved in with us, Albert Blythe. He moved in with us when he was a teenager. Because his parents, which was my dad's folks, my dad's brother was moving to California. And Albert didn't want to go, so he came and lived with us. And he actually met his wife down the hill, Ruby Blythe, Ruby Morris, while he was living there with us. So you know, we were just family. We just had fun.
 ; Sharon and her family did not have a farm, but they did have a few cows, a horse and a big garden. They would visit with Sharon's aunt and uncle almost every Sunday. They would ride horses, play croquet, and play badminton. Sharon's mother was always inviting people over for lunch. Sharon even had a cousin (Albert Blythe) that moved in with their family. Albert Blythe ; Ruby Morris Blythe ; California ; Walter Brown ; Tressie Brown Hosting 0 1085 Church Regan Siler 18:05
 ; And church was big in your life?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 18:08
 ; It was very big, very present in our life. Yes, we were raised in church. We were raised in the Gypsy Holiness Church.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 18:16
 ; Now was it at the same location that it is now?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 18:19
 ; Across the road.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 18:20
 ; Across the road? Okay.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 18:21
 ; We call it the old church. But yes, Brother Pete Duke was our pastor growing up, and then later there were other pastors. But yes, mom and dad would take us to church. I mean, we went to church on Wednesday night, Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night. And that was, you know, that's just what we did.
 ; Sharon attended the Gypsy Holiness Church when she was growing up. Pete Duke was the pastor. Church was a big part of her life. They had services on Wednesday nights, Saturday nights, Sundays, and Sunday nights. Church ; Gypsy Holiness Church (Gypsy, Oklahoma) ; Pete Duke Church 0 1126 Work Regan Siler 18:46
 ; Now as far as after you graduated, you did not go to college, right?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 18:51
 ; I did not. I went straight to work.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 18:53
 ; You went straight to work.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 18:53
 ; Probably the next couple of weeks after graduating.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 18:59
 ; You literally went straight to work. Okay, well, so tell me about the the jobs that you've held. I know you said you started out at the B& ; B Rexall for about six months after graduating.
 ; Sharon did not go to college but went straight to work shortly after graduating. She worked at B& ; B Rexall Drug for a few months. Then she worked in the office at Blackstock & ; McMillan. After a year or so, they downsized in the office, so she was let go. Sharon then worked at the Bristow Memorial Hospital as a switchboard operator and in the office. She went from there to American National Bank. Sharon quit working when she pregnant with her son. After her oldest daughter was born, she decided to go back to work. A part-time position wasn't open at American National Bank, so she started work at Community Bank. Sharon worked at Community Bank for over 42 years before retiring. B& ; B Rexall Drug ; Berta Asher ; Harry McMillan ; Bob Blackstock ; Blackstock & ; McMillan ; Bristow Memorial Hospital ; American National Bank ; Kell Kelly ; Community Bank ; Patrick Todd VanOrsdol ; Rachel Michelle VanOrsdol Lenington ; Jennifer Lynn VanOrsdol Morgan ; Lewis Foster ; Arthur Foster Work 0 1673 Husband Regan Siler 27:53
 ; Yes. Okay, well, let's move on from there and talk about Gene. So tell me what your spouse's full name is?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 28:04
 ; Okay. Franklin Gene VanOrsdol.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 28:08
 ; And I have he was born September 19, 1944 and he passed March 15, 2021?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 28:15
 ; That is correct.
 ; Sharon was married to Franklin Gene VanOrsdol. Unfortunately, he passed in 2021. They met at a church event. Sharon and Gene courted about a year before marriage. Franklin Gene VanOrsdol ; Gypsy Holiness Church ; Advent Christian Church Husband 0 1791 Marriage Sharon VanOrsdol 29:51
 ; Yes, we got married in 1968.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 29:54
 ; So I have August 15, 1968, at the Gypsy Holiness Church?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 29:59
 ; That's correct. 
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 30:00
 ; So did you guys just decide you wanted to get married? Or did he ask you? Or how did that work?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 30:05
 ; Well, he kind of asked me. Well, he was kind of bashful, but yeah, in a roundabout way. I don't know if he actually just came out and said will, you marry me. But you know, I got the gist of it.
 ; Sharon and Gene were married on August 15, 1968. They held their wedding ceremony at the Gypsy Holiness Church. Gene built a home for him and Sharon, and they moved in after they were married. Sharon still lives in this same home. Franklin Gene VanOrsdol ; Gypsy Holiness Church Marriage 0 1868 House and Property Sharon VanOrsdol 31:08
 ; Right there. He had that house built by the time we got married, and he had bought the land from his grandma, I think. He and Orlan Colley [12/6/1908-10/1/1968], and I'm sure they had others, but they built the house there. And we've had to add on to it since.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 31:30
 ; Right.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 31:31
 ; But anyway, the house was there when we got married. So, we moved from my house, eight miles south to the house I live in now.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 31:38
 ; I don't think I knew that. That's neat! Okay, all right.
 ; Orlan Colley helped build Gene and Sharon's home. They added on to it over the years. They also bought more acreage through the years, and now Sharon has over 100 acres on her farm. Orlan Colley ; Franklin Gene VanOrsdol ; Hollis house ; Property 0 2023 Children Regan Siler 33:43
 ; Okay. And then tell me how many children you have.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 33:47
 ; I have three. Pat, Patrick Todd, Rachel Michelle and Jennifer Lynn.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 33:57
 ; Okay. And I have Pat's birthday, July 14, 1972 and he passed, July 4, 2016? Then I have Rachel as September 24, 1974, and then Jennifer's birthday, August 11, 1979? Does that sound, right?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 34:16
 ; Yes.
 ; Sharon has three children. Her oldest was a son, Patrick Todd VanOrsdol. She has two daughters, Rachel Michelle VanOrsdol Lenington and Jennifer Lynn VanOrsdol Morgan. Patrick Todd VanOrsdol ; Rachel Michelle VanOrsdol Lenington ; Jennifer Lynn VanOrsdol Morgan Children 0 2129 Grandchildren Regan Siler 35:29
 ; Okay, then tell me how many, you have a lot of grandchildren?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 35:34
 ; I do. I can't wait to be a great grandma someday. But I don't know if that's ever gonna happen.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 35:34
 ; I have eight.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 35:34
 ; You have eight grandchildren, okay. Because Rachel has three. Jennifer has four. And then Pat has one. Okay, okay. And I know you love being a grandma.
 ; Sharon has eight grandchildren. She says that she can't wait to be a great grandma someday. Rachel Michelle VanOrsdol Lenington ; Jennifer Lynn VanOrsdol Morgan ; Patrick Todd VanOrsdol Grandchildren 0 2155 Retirement Regan Siler 35:55
 ; Well. Have you enjoyed being retired?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 36:00
 ; Yes and no. I never minded working. You know, it never bothered me to work. I always enjoyed it. I didn't mind getting up, going to work.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 36:13
 ; I feel like you're definitely a doer, like you're not a sit around kind of gal.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 36:17
 ; No. That's true. I don't like to stay in the house and sit around. And I'm sure everybody that knows me, knows that.
 ; When asked if she enjoys retirement, Sharon says yes and no. She says that it never bothered her to work, and that she doesn't like to stay in the house and sit around. She says that one of the reasons she went ahead and retired was because of her husband's bad health. Sharon does still stay very involved in the community. Franklin Gene VanOrsdol Retirement 0 2281 Bristow Holiness Church Regan Siler 38:01
 ; Well, so since you don't have any hobbies. I think one of the things that you're known for in Bristow is your heart for service. You have given your heart and soul to this community. So, I'd like to talk some. I know we we talked a little bit about church early on. But I know your church life is very important to you.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 38:25
 ; It is.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 38:25
 ; So,tell me what you're involved in there.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 38:27
 ; Okay. Well I go to the Bristow Holiness Church now. And we just finished a new sanctuary.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 38:34
 ; A beautiful building!
 ; Sharon attends the Bristow Holiness Church. She teaches the beginner Sunday school class and has for many years. Bristow Holiness Church ; Bristow (Okla.) ; Douglas Meadow ; Cecily Meadow Church 0 2399 Involvement in the Community Regan Siler 39:59
 ; So, then let's also talk about all the other things that you do. And I have a whole list here. You just tell me what all you're involved in, because it's a lot.
 ; 
 ; Speaker 1 40:13
 ; Okay, well, right now I'm not involved in that much. But I will tell you that growing up and being in Bristow, while I worked in Bristow, I always enjoyed getting involved in the community. But you have to understand, by getting involved in the community and working, you had to be working at a place that allowed you to do that. And so working at Community, they were so good to let me go out. I mentored, would do reading programs with kids at the elementary sometimes. But again, they had to let me off for that 45 minutes or whatever to go do that. I delivered Meals-on-Wheels, I don't know how many years.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 40:58
 ; I think you told me, like 40 years?
 ; Sharon has always loved being involved in the community. She stresses the importance of working a job that allows flexibility to be involved. She says the bank always allowed her to be involved. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. Sharon helps put on the big Easter egg hunt in Bristow every year. Sharon is also very involved in the Bristow social services. Bristow (Okla.) ; Meals on Wheels Association of America ; Western Heritage Days ; Lafayette Johnson ; Krumme ; Jennifer Lynn VanOrsdol Morgan ; 4H club ; Day of Caring ; Head Start Community 0 2765 Awards Regan Siler 46:05
 ; And then, in talking to Rachel, she also mentioned that you were Citizen of the Year in 2019?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 46:12
 ; Yes, ma'am.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 46:13
 ; And that's through the chamber.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 46:15
 ; Through the chamber, okay. And then you had a business award, tell me about that too.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 46:18
 ; Yes, actually, it was through the Business and Professional Women. They nominated me for an award, and I had to go to Tulsa to interview for that. It was a big deal.
 ; Sharon has received several awards over the years. She received Citizen of the Year in 2019. She also won an award through the Business and Professional Women. She received another award through the Chamber. Rachel Michelle VanOrsdol Lenington ; Citizen of the Year ; Chamber of Commerce ; Business and Professional Women ; Tulsa (Okla.) Awards 0 2833 Social Services Regan Siler 47:13
 ; Well, can you think of, there's such a long list. Can you think of any other things that we have forgotten, that you've been involved in, or that you've enjoyed doing around Bristow?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 47:23
 ; Well, right now, I enjoy helping the social services.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 47:29
 ; In whatever capacity.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 47:30
 ; In whatever. Yes, I do go to the office and volunteer one day a week. But, I'm on the Social Services Board of Directors. So another thing that I remember, Dr Cooper had started a clinic called the Bristow Free Clinic. It was for people that needed care, that couldn't afford care. That was one day a month, I think.
 ; Sharon enjoys helping the social services. She is on the Social Services Board of Directors. Sharon says that she goes to the office and volunteers one day a week. Social Services ; Social Services Board of Directors ; Bristow (Okla.) ; Chip Cooper Social Services 0 2935 How the World is Different Regan Siler 48:55
 ; Okay. Well, I want to ask you and this is just kind of a I'm curious about. How do you feel the world is different now than when you were a child?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 49:07
 ; Oh, my goodness, technology. Technology has changed so much. As a kid, we grew up being a kid. We can be a kid. You can't be a kid anymore. You're going to be sitting in front of a screen or a phone or something, you know. I don't feel like kids can be kids anymore. I feel like kids have too much technology. They have to keep up with somebody.
 ; Sharon says that technology has changed so much since she was a child. She says that kids can't be kids anymore. Sharon believe that technology has its place and is great for adults, but not for children. Technology Technology 0 3022 Nation's Biggest Problem Regan Siler 50:22
 ; Okay. What do you feel is our nation's biggest problem, and how do you think it can be solved?
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 50:32
 ; Well, the nation's biggest problem is turning away from God. You know, they took prayer out of school. They took God out of everything. You know what I'm saying. So, our coins say In God We Trust. I don't even know if that still says that. I don't even know if they still print that on on the coins anymore. But they don't, the world doesn't trust in God anymore. They trust in technology.
 ; Sharon feels like our nation's biggest problem is turning away from God. She says they took God out of everything, and that the world doesn't trust in God anymore. God Nation 0 3066 Historic Events Regan Siler 51:06
 ; Okay. How have historic events for example, like the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11, maybe a natural disaster or even a World War. Have any of any of those types of events affected your life, and even covid? I mean, you could count covid in that.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 51:34
 ; I think it affected everybody. Covid affected everybody's life. The Oklahoma City bombing affected so many people's lives. I don't know, just in daily life, it's affected so much. Because you used to be able to say what you wanted, do what you wanted, go where you wanted. Now, the government's got an eye everywhere. You know, you can be thinking something and it'll pop up.
 ; 
 ; Regan Siler 52:07
 ; It comes up on your phone.
 ; Sharon talks about Covid affecting everybody's life. She says that people are afraid to do anything anymore. Oklahoma City Bombing ; Covid Historic Events 0 3147 Wisdom Regan Siler 52:27
 ; Okay, okay. Well, my final question for you, first of all, is there anything else you would like to tell us? And I would like for you to leave some wisdom for future generations. Give us some Sharon VanOrsdol wisdom to leave for future generations.
 ; 
 ; Sharon VanOrsdol 52:46
 ; Okay. If you're working, if you get there on time, you're late. So be there early, do more than expected, and always stay busy. And as far as wisdom, the thing that has helped me, and I can't remember, it's in Psalms. But I can't remember the verse. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. And there's been many times that I've needed that strength.
 ; Sharon finishes the interview with some words of wisdom. She says that if you are working to not just get there on time, be early. Also, she says to do more than expected and always stay busy. She also references a verse from Psalms that says I can do all things through Christ. She says she has needed that many times. Psalms ; Christ Wisdom 0 MP4 Sharon VanOrsdol, born July 9, 1949, in Gypsy, Oklahoma, shared her life story with Regan Siler. Sharon, who has seven siblings, lived in Gypsy all her life. She attended Gypsy School and Depew High School, graduating in 1967. Sharon worked at various jobs, including Bristow Memorial Hospital and American National Bank, before joining Community Bank, where she worked for 42.5 years. Married to Franklin Gene VanOrsdol since 1968, they had three children. Sharon is actively involved in the Bristow Holiness Church and community service, including Meals-on-Wheels and the Easter egg hunt. She emphasized the impact of technology on youth and the importance of faith. NOTE TRANSCRIPTION BEGIN 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:24.839 This is Regan Siler with the Bristow Historical Society in Bristow, Oklahoma. This interview is part of the Historical Society's ongoing oral history project. The date is October 30, 2025 and I'm here with Sharon VanOrsdol at the Bristow Library Annex. She's going to tell us a little bit about her life and what it's like living and working in the Bristow area. Can you please state your full name? 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:27.719 Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol. 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:30.239 Okay, and do I have permission to do this interview? 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:30.780 Yes, you do. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:34.679 Okay. Please tell me when and where you were born. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:41.219 I was born July 9, 1949 in Gypsy, Oklahoma. 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:44.000 Okay, and were you, so I'm guessing you were born in a home? 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:44.479 At home. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:53.719 Okay, well, let's start by talking about your family. Can you tell me what your parents full names are? 00:00:53.719 --> 00:01:01.159 My dad's name is Jesse Henry, and my mom's name was Winnie McGuire. She had no middle name. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:14.299 No middle name, okay? And I have your dad's birthday as 3/24/1909 with date of death, 11/2/1977. 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:14.359 That's correct. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:26.780 And then I have, and I remember little Winnie. I have her date of birth as 7/19/1914 and her date of passing 4/1/2008. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:27.691 Yes, ma'am, she was. 00:01:27.691 --> 00:01:29.879 Okay. I remember she would make, what is it called CherryYum Yum? 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:37.900 One of Rachel's favorites. 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:43.780 Yes, yeah, because Rachel would bring me some sometimes. Okay. Do you have any siblings? 00:01:43.780 --> 00:02:26.965 I do. I have seven siblings. Betty Louise [Brown] was born and only lived a couple of months. And then my brother, Henry, Henry Oscar Brown, Wilma Irene Brown Duke, Margaret Mae Ailey or Brown Ailey, Fredia Christine Brown Fowler, Shirley Faye Brown, she never married, myself-Sharon Kay Brown VanOrsdol and my youngest sister, Earlene Marie Brown Bostick. 00:02:26.965 --> 00:02:31.750 I don't guess I realized you had that many siblings. Man, you had a big family. 00:02:31.750 --> 00:02:34.750 I did. There's only three of us left now. 00:02:34.750 --> 00:02:43.150 Three left. Okay, so where did you live growing up, and did you have family living nearby you growing up? 00:02:43.150 --> 00:03:12.235 Actually, I've lived in the Gypsy area all my life. We lived eight miles south of Bristow, in the Gypsy area. I was born there, raised there. My dad drove a bus there for a while, and then he worked for the county for several years. My mom was always a housewife. And of course, with that many kids, you stay busy. 00:03:12.235 --> 00:03:13.074 Yeah, absolutely. 00:03:13.074 --> 00:03:31.780 She was always quilting, making quilts, canning. I tell you, she would make quilts. And if anybody in the family needed something, or, you know, burnout or something going on, she would hand quilt those quilts, and then she would give them away. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:36.340 Oh, well, she was such, a she was such a neat little lady. I just loved her. 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:37.300 She was very giving. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:46.344 Yes, I would agree with that. So your dad, so then your family has always lived in the Gypsy area? 00:03:46.344 --> 00:03:47.365 Yes. 00:03:47.365 --> 00:03:55.884 So back before then, where did their parents live? Did they? 00:03:55.884 --> 00:04:09.490 Mom grew up in Missouri, I believe, or she was, I'm not sure she was born there, but anyway, she came from Missouri. Dad was raised around Kellyville. Yes, a lot of his family lived around Kellyville. 00:04:09.490 --> 00:04:23.290 You know, I have learned while doing these interviews that a lot of people came from Missouri to this area, that that was a typical trek here. And I don't know if it was for the farming, maybe, or? 00:04:23.290 --> 00:04:26.995 Yeah, I'm not sure, but I know that we have family still in Missouri. 00:04:26.995 --> 00:04:35.995 In Missouri? Okay, okay. Well, can you tell me about your school life? Where did you first attend school? 00:04:35.995 --> 00:05:10.660 I attended Gypsy School. At that time, it was K through eighth. My sisters and brother, actually, or part of them, graduated from Gypsy School when it was first through twelfth. Actually, it wasn't K. They didn't have Kindergarten at the time, so it was first through eighth. So, I went the first eight years there at Gypsy and then I transferred to Depew. At that time, we had an option of going to Depew or going to Bristow, and I chose to go to Depew. I graduated from Depew High School. 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:13.524 Okay. And you said you graduated in 1967? 00:05:13.524 --> 00:05:14.185 That's correct. 00:05:14.185 --> 00:05:24.444 Okay. Do you remember having any influential teachers as you grew up? Do you have much memory of like your school life and what that was like? 00:05:24.444 --> 00:05:56.470 Actually, I remember my first grade teacher was Mrs. Burton, and she lived there by the school. She lived real close, and so she would take us kids up to her house to get a treat if we needed it. And if you ever had a belly ache, you just climbed up on her lap and she rubbed your belly, and it was instantly better. But I do remember her. All my teachers were really good, though. All through high school, I had some great teachers and through grade school. 00:05:56.470 --> 00:05:57.894 Did you enjoy school? 00:05:57.894 --> 00:05:59.154 I did. I loved school. 00:05:59.154 --> 00:06:04.795 You loved school? Did you have a favorite subject? Say, more like in high school? 00:06:04.795 --> 00:06:17.694 Yeah, I don't know that I really had a favorite. You know, you just went to school and did your work. And I don't know that I really had anything that I liked better than the other. 00:06:17.694 --> 00:06:29.319 Right, okay. Well, tell me about what meal times were like in your family. Did everyone like get together every evening for dinner and sit down at the table and eat? 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:52.884 We did. Everybody pretty much had their meals. They had their breakfast together. And of course, everybody was going about their daily routines at lunchtime. And then we were all home for supper, that's correct. And we didn't go out and eat. It was you ate what you got, you ate what was on the table, and you enjoyed it. 00:06:52.884 --> 00:07:06.189 Right. Well, I can't imagine having a family that big trying to take them out to eat anyway. That would be something. Well, so did your mom teach you how to cook? Were you part of the meal making? 00:07:06.189 --> 00:07:36.175 We all knew how to cook and clean. There wasn't anybody that just went outside or went and sat down while the rest of them did it. We all joined together. Mom would teach us how to cook, or, you know, we would just watch as the meal came up, which, you know, the meals weren't elaborate. They were, you know, beans and cornbread and gravy and biscuits and, you know, just the simple things of life. But, but yes, we pretty much knew how to cook when we got out of school. 00:07:36.175 --> 00:07:43.014 So, I have to ask, did you have a favorite meal or dessert that your mom fixed for you growing up? 00:07:43.014 --> 00:07:58.540 Chocolate gravy was the favorite breakfast. Yes, we loved chocolate gravy in either pancakes or biscuits. And you know, at supper time, I don't remember a favorite. I just remember they were all good. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:01.300 They were all good. Well, I knew she was a good cook. 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:03.939 She was a wonderful cook. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:25.045 Well, thinking back to town life and growing up, what were some of your favorite community activities as a young person? I know a lot of people have talked about like Western Heritage Days, day camp, county fair, stuff like that. Do you have any particular memories growing up that you enjoyed doing in Bristow? 00:08:25.045 --> 00:08:46.210 Do you want growing up or after I after I got in town and started working? Actually, we didn't really get to participate in things growing up. We lived eight miles south of town, and, you know, we just did what we did around home. We didn't get to go into town for a lot of activities or get involved. 00:08:46.210 --> 00:08:55.750 So whenever you did your shopping, still thinking back when you were young, did you come to Bristow to do your shopping and stuff? 00:08:55.750 --> 00:09:19.434 We did. And,actually, that was kind of a highlight on Saturdays, to come to town. Now I do remember growing up, mom and dad would park the car or the truck down at the depot, under the old water tower, and we would play under the water tower while they went and did whatever they were doing. 00:09:19.434 --> 00:09:25.360 That's so cool, because I was actually going to ask if you had any memories of the depot as a young person. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:44.679 Yes, we would play there under the water tower. You know, we didn't walk down Main Street with mom or dad. Usually, all they did was maybe they had something to sell or would just go look to see what they needed to buy. And, you know, they didn't want 15 kids trailing behind. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:46.360 Right, right. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:50.965 So we would stay there and play under the old depot [water tower]. 00:09:50.965 --> 00:09:57.144 Yeah, that's cool. That's cool. So that was, like an every Saturday thing you would come to town or most Saturdays? 00:09:57.144 --> 00:09:58.164 Most Saturdays, yeah. 00:09:58.164 --> 00:09:59.304 Saturdays, okay. 00:09:59.304 --> 00:10:00.144 We would come to town. 00:10:00.144 --> 00:10:11.950 Yeah, okay. Do you remember what some of the biggest or most popular businesses were growing up around town, or something that maybe stuck out in your memory as a youngster? 00:10:11.950 --> 00:10:31.870 Yeah, Henderson's Furniture Store, I remember that. M & P Grocery Store, I think, and let's see Shamas [Shamas Dry Goods], Strong's. 00:10:31.870 --> 00:10:34.914 A lot of those, I've heard people talk about. 00:10:34.914 --> 00:10:43.254 I was trying to think of the dress shops that were there. There actually was a dress shop, I can't remember what the name of that was. 00:10:43.254 --> 00:10:51.235 So did you get to shop for clothes? Or did your mom make most of your clothes? 00:10:51.235 --> 00:10:52.254 She made our clothes. 00:10:52.254 --> 00:10:52.554 Okay. 00:10:52.554 --> 00:10:56.335 I do remember going into Strong's and shopping for shoes. 00:10:56.335 --> 00:10:56.860 Shoes. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:11:05.919 Yeah, yeah, they would have shoes. And they'd measure your feet and, you know, find the size shoe that you needed. So, that was always kind of fun. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.139 That was probably a big deal. 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:10.059 Got to get new shoes. 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:12.759 So was that like, maybe before the school year started? 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:20.200 Yeah probably, I don't really remember if it was a certain time of year, but yeah that was always fun. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:31.764 So then thinking to later on, like when you were a teenager, did you have a favorite place to hang out, or anything that you did as a teenager? 00:11:31.764 --> 00:11:55.929 No, not a lot. And again, we went to Depew. So, you know, we would hang out in Depew a little bit, but we didn't really have a car or anything. So if we did, or if we were with somebody, we'd drag Main, you know. We would go to T&J maybe, and get a hamburger or Frosty Freeze somewhere like that. 00:11:55.929 --> 00:11:57.309 Right, right. 00:11:57.309 --> 00:12:01.149 But as far as actually having a spot in Bristow, no. 00:12:01.149 --> 00:12:08.095 Didn't nescessarily. Well, do you remember your first car? 00:12:08.095 --> 00:12:20.154 I remember it was, I think it was a Chevy. I got it right after I graduated. It was an older Chevy. I don't remember. 00:12:20.154 --> 00:12:23.034 So was it just your car? Or did you have to share? 00:12:23.034 --> 00:12:58.264 No, that one was just mine. And like I said, I got it after I graduated, because I was starting a job. And I needed a way to get to work. And, honestly, I don't really remember my sisters' cars as they were going up, or my brother. I know my sisters attended a business college. And in Tulsa, Fredia and Margaret did Draughon's School of Business. That's where they went. But I honestly can't tell you a whole lot about their vehicles. I was just busy growing up. 00:12:58.264 --> 00:13:07.379 Or just happy to be able to get around. Well, tell me about the house that you grew up in. What was it like? 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:41.144 It was a little, two-story house. It set there eight miles south and a quarter of a mile back, west, north I guess. Actually, there's a house sitting there now that actually burned right after I got married. It burned, so my mom and dad built another little house in the same location. But you can imagine we were two in a bed, and you know all there and happy as a lark. 00:13:41.144 --> 00:13:48.764 Right. So did you as far as entertainment at home, I'm guessing you guys spent most of your time outdoors? 00:13:48.764 --> 00:14:13.710 We did. They did get a TV later on. I don't remember how old, but we didn't have one when we were really young. We had one a little later. But we went outside, we made mud pies, we made forts in the woods, and we rode bikes. And you know, we entertained ourselves. 00:14:13.710 --> 00:14:14.190 Right. 00:14:14.190 --> 00:14:16.934 Or with, you know, the ones of us that were still there. 00:14:16.934 --> 00:14:17.534 Right. 00:14:17.534 --> 00:14:19.514 We just enjoyed each other. 00:14:19.514 --> 00:14:30.735 So, do you remember, you mentioned the TV. Do you remember any particular shows that you enjoyed getting to watch? Because I'm sure it probably wasn't something you just got to do all of the time. 00:14:30.735 --> 00:14:31.034 Oh, no. 00:14:31.034 --> 00:14:33.075 It was probably a special occasion. 00:14:33.075 --> 00:14:39.075 Yeah, honestly, I don't really remember those. Except I do remember my dad liked to watch wrestling. 00:14:39.075 --> 00:14:40.154 Are you serious? 00:14:40.154 --> 00:14:41.654 Yes, he loved to watch wrestling. 00:14:41.654 --> 00:14:42.899 Oh, that's funny. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:48.360 So, we would watch wrestling shows. I remember that, but honestly, that's the only thing I can really remember. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:51.899 I honestly didn't even realize they had wrestling like that back then. 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:56.759 It was amateur stuff, you know? 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:59.100 Oh, that's hilarious. 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:09.825 Oh, that's funny. Did you listen to any, I'm sure you had radios? Did you listen to any particular kinds of music growing up or not really? 00:15:09.825 --> 00:15:15.644 No, not really. I don't remember, just the radio that we had. 00:15:15.644 --> 00:15:24.450 Okay. Well, as a child do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? 00:15:24.450 --> 00:15:32.000 You know, as a child, we never really thought about that. Or I never really thought about that, you know. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.919 You were just busy being a kid. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:52.639 I was busy being a kid. We would go outside and play. And we'd play church, or we'd play school. But I don't have any early memories of really wanting to be anything in particular, besides being a housewife. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.000 Right. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.779 That's all I knew. 00:15:53.779 --> 00:16:03.080 Right, right. So being there where you grew up, did your dad farm or anything? Did you have farm chores and stuff to do? 00:16:03.080 --> 00:17:40.900 We didn't really have a farm. We had a few cows, and they always raised a big garden, and we had a horse. We'd ride the horse occasionally, and we didn't do that a whole lot. But I do remember almost every Sunday, we would get together with my aunt and uncle, who is my mom's brother, and my dad's sister. Because mom and dad married brothers and sisters, so they were actually our double cousins. And either we would go there on Sunday, or they would come to our house, the whole family. And I remember, Uncle Walter and Aunt Tressie (sp), they had horses. And we would get out there and ride horses or donkeys, play croquet, badminton, things like that. But we just always were a family like that, we had people over. Mom would always have the preacher over, or somebody for lunch. And I actually had a cousin that moved in with us, Albert Blythe. He moved in with us when he was a teenager. Because his parents, which was my dad's folks, my dad's brother was moving to California. And Albert didn't want to go, so he came and lived with us. And he actually met his wife down the hill, Ruby Blythe, Ruby Morris, while he was living there with us. So you know, we were just family. We just had fun. 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:54.220 So I feel like the difference, or a big difference maybe between now and then, is it just feels like everything was very much more family oriented, there was less distractions. 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:56.019 Absolutely. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:59.000 So your entertainment was your family. Your family was your friends. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:05.960 Yeah, that's right. We didn't socialize a lot, you know church people. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:08.000 And church was big in your life? 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:16.819 It was very big, very present in our life. Yes, we were raised in church. We were raised in the Gypsy Holiness Church. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:19.640 Now was it at the same location that it is now? 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.660 Across the road. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.000 Across the road? Okay. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:45.404 We call it the old church. But yes, Brother Pete Duke was our pastor growing up, and then later there were other pastors. But yes, mom and dad would take us to church. I mean, we went to church on Wednesday night, Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night. And that was, you know, that's just what we did. 00:18:45.404 --> 00:18:46.839 Okay. 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:51.000 Now as far as after you graduated, you did not go to college, right? 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:53.000 I did not. I went straight to work. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:59.119 straight to work. Probably the next couple of weeks after graduating. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:04.559 You literally went straight to work. Okay, well, so tell me about the the jobs that you've held. I know you said you started out at the B&B Rexall for about six months after graduating. 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:56.000 I did. I worked for Berta Asher at B&B Rexall Drug, and I worked as a soda jerk. They had the soda fountain, and so I just worked there as a soda jerk. And after a few months, Harry McMillan or Bob Blackstock, I can't remember which one. One of them came in and asked me if I would like to go to work for them, which their office was right there on the corner. So I said, sure, I've never done that, but I did have shorthand and things and school. So that's what they were wanting me to do, is take dictation and do some typing and stuff. So I went and worked for Blackstock & McMillan. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:59.000 So kind of like a receptionist? 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:26.585 Yes, receptionist. They had another girl in their office, Linda, and I worked there with her. So I was just kind of her backup. And I worked there for, I don't know, a year, maybe a little longer, I don't remember. And then they decided that they were going to downsize to one person, so I was the low man on the totem pole. 00:20:26.585 --> 00:20:27.125 Right, right. 00:20:27.125 --> 00:20:52.970 So I actually went straight from there. I don't even think I was off a week, and I went to the Bristow Memorial Hospital, and I worked as a switchboard operator. So we had a switchboard at that time. So I'd work in the office, do paperwork and answer the phone and do a switchboard operating. 00:20:52.970 --> 00:20:54.410 So you did that for about a year? 00:20:54.410 --> 00:21:13.894 I did that. Yes, I don't remember how long, probably a year, maybe two. And then I and I don't know why I decided to change, if I decided or what the deal was, but anyway, I went from there to the American National Bank. 00:21:13.894 --> 00:21:24.214 Which I find funny, because growing up, you always worked at Community, and my mom always worked at at the time American National. I did not know you had ever worked at American National. 00:21:24.214 --> 00:21:26.315 I did. I did. It was on Seventh Street. 00:21:26.315 --> 00:21:27.214 Yeah, right. 00:21:27.214 --> 00:21:41.000 When the bank was on Seventh Street, I worked there. In fact, I can tell you my very first day to work. I went into work and they had had a robbery. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:46.579 Are you serious? What a first day! 00:21:46.579 --> 00:22:18.710 They had someone come through the top, through the roof, went into their drive through and had robbed it. But little did they know that of course, their money is locked up in the vault, except for their coins. So they had dumped all the coins into a trash basket, if I can remember right, but couldn't get them out because it was all too heavy. Couldn't get it back through the roof. 00:22:18.710 --> 00:22:20.630 So probably not a very smart robber. 00:22:20.630 --> 00:22:25.849 Wasn't a very smart robber, and it was an interesting first day at work. 00:22:25.849 --> 00:22:29.150 So did that make you question your choice to leave the hospital? 00:22:29.150 --> 00:22:34.849 I wondered if I should be working there. But actually, that's not the only robbery they had while I worked there. 00:22:34.849 --> 00:22:35.690 Oh my goodness! 00:22:35.690 --> 00:22:37.069 They had another robbery. 00:22:37.069 --> 00:22:44.734 So would that have been like in the 70s? Like maybe mid 70s? 00:22:44.734 --> 00:23:20.420 Yeah, probably. I'm sure that Kell [Kell Kelly] or somebody could probably tell you, I don't know. But anyway, I do remember that I was working in the back, and someone ran back from the front and said we're being robbed. And so, of course, I was in the back and I didn't know anything about it. But come to find out the robber, the guy that came to hold up the bank, took the taxi to rob the bank. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.079 Oh, my Gosh! 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:32.345 And, so, when Gerald figured out what was going on, he drove off without the robber, and the robber was left on foot. 00:23:32.345 --> 00:23:34.204 These aren't very smart robbers, are they? 00:23:34.204 --> 00:23:40.444 They weren't very smart. They did catch him. But anyway, that's a couple of interesting things. 00:23:40.444 --> 00:23:42.484 Well, that's definitely interesting! 00:23:42.484 --> 00:23:48.545 Then one other time, while I was working there, they had a bomb threat. So, you know, it was kind of active. 00:23:48.545 --> 00:23:52.069 Yeah. Man, it sounds like it was very active! 00:23:52.069 --> 00:23:56.029 Yeah, but it was a false alarm. We did have to evacuate the bank though. 00:23:56.029 --> 00:23:59.150 Well, thank goodness it was a false alarm. 00:23:59.150 --> 00:23:59.869 Absolutely! 00:23:59.869 --> 00:24:08.150 So then from there, you landed at your home, at Community Bank for the next 42 and a half years? 00:24:08.150 --> 00:24:08.630 That's right. 00:24:08.630 --> 00:24:16.654 That is incredible! So tell us a little bit about your time at Community Bank, like what you did there and the different positions you held. 00:24:16.654 --> 00:24:32.075 Well, let me tell you first that the reason I left the bank was to have my family. I actually left because I was pregnant with Pat and I just wanted to have some time off. 00:24:32.075 --> 00:24:32.555 Right. 00:24:32.555 --> 00:24:59.660 And then I decided after Rachel that I wanted to go back to work. A part time position wasn't available at American. So I went to Community and actually applied, and they hired me. I thought it was going to be part time, but from the day I was hired, I worked every day. It wasn't part time. 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:01.025 It wasn't part time! 00:25:01.025 --> 00:25:16.085 Lewis Foster hired me. Arthur Foster was the president at that time. So from that time, I worked every day pretty much for the next 42 and a half years. 00:25:16.085 --> 00:25:19.265 So did you take any time off whenever you had Jennifer? 00:25:19.265 --> 00:25:37.069 I did. I was going to take more time off. She was three weeks early. I worked until six o'clock the night before she was born. But I didn't know that. I didn't know I was going to be doing that. 00:25:37.069 --> 00:25:38.390 Oh my goodness! 00:25:38.390 --> 00:25:43.430 But, yes. And then I just was off probably a couple of months or whatever. 00:25:43.430 --> 00:25:43.910 Right. 00:25:43.910 --> 00:25:45.214 And then I went back to work. 00:25:45.214 --> 00:25:56.734 Okay. So, during the time that you were there, I know you told me, you started out kind of like a receptionist, and then you had several different positions while you were there. Tell us about some of the positions you held there. 00:25:56.734 --> 00:26:57.769 Actually, I started out as a receptionist, like I said. I thought I was going to be starting part time, but pretty much worked, well I did work every day. I went from there and did some teller work. I worked in the teller line. I loved, loved working in the teller line. Even after I moved positions, I would still work on Saturdays in the teller line. I worked in new accounts, I would open accounts, worked in CDs and IRAs. Through that time, I advanced from teller, assistant to assistant vice president, and then went on to be a vice president. At the time I retired, I was working in IRA, CDs, new accounts, just whatever. I would jump around to whoever needed help or whatever they needed. 00:26:57.769 --> 00:27:02.930 Right. And I know you said you didn't go to college, but during that time, you took a lot of business classes? 00:27:02.930 --> 00:27:09.470 I did. I took Principles of Banking and different college classes. 00:27:09.470 --> 00:27:12.710 That applied to your job? 00:27:12.710 --> 00:27:20.075 Yes, that applied to banking. Yes, the bank sent me to different schools and classes that we took. 00:27:20.075 --> 00:27:26.134 Okay. So I would say you must have been pretty happy at Community to have been there for that long. 00:27:26.134 --> 00:27:41.420 I was very happy. They were great people to work with. And I loved what I was doing. I loved my job. I loved the people that I worked with and for. And, yeah, I stayed there 42 and a half years. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:52.819 Well, we love Community Bank with my own personal family. There's just a very hometown feel, and it's always stayed that way, which we appreciate it. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.299 Yes, it has. 00:27:53.299 --> 00:28:04.805 Yes. Okay, well, let's move on from there and talk about Gene. So tell me what your spouse's full name is? 00:28:04.805 --> 00:28:08.224 Okay. Franklin Gene VanOrsdol. 00:28:08.224 --> 00:28:15.244 And I have he was born September 19, 1944 and he passed March 15, 2021? 00:28:15.244 --> 00:28:15.964 That is correct. 00:28:15.964 --> 00:28:18.305 And you know, I did not know his first name was Franklin. 00:28:18.305 --> 00:28:19.625 Franklin Gene, yeah. 00:28:19.625 --> 00:28:21.184 I've only ever known him as Gene. 00:28:21.184 --> 00:28:26.345 Yeah, that's what he went by. He just went by Gene. 00:28:26.345 --> 00:28:33.109 So, can you tell me what your first impression of him was when you met him, or when you first saw him? 00:28:33.109 --> 00:29:31.220 Actually, the first time I saw him, his mother and he had come to the Gypsy Church. And you know, when a new boy comes to church everybody's looking. So, anyway, I noticed him then, and thought he was cute. But you know, where they had their family, we had ours. They went to the Advent Christian Church. But Gene's brother's wife, I don't know, I guess they were married at that time. Anyway, Phyllis, at that time, we were having a camp meeting, out north of Bristow. The churches had a campground out there, and so she asked me if he came to church that night, if I would sit by him. That's kind of how we got together. 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.779 So, that's how the romance began? 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:44.825 He was bashful, and I was bashful. We just kind of sat there. We didn't really talk, didn't really do anything. But he did ask me to go out again, and that's actually where it started. 00:29:44.825 --> 00:29:50.224 So, how long was your courtship? 00:29:50.224 --> 00:29:50.944 A year. 00:29:50.944 --> 00:29:51.365 A year? 00:29:51.365 --> 00:29:54.605 Yes, we got married in 1968. 00:29:54.605 --> 00:29:59.750 So I have August 15, 1968, at the Gypsy Holiness Church? 00:29:59.750 --> 00:30:00.349 That's correct. 00:30:00.349 --> 00:30:05.450 So did you guys just decide you wanted to get married? Or did he ask you? Or how did that work? 00:30:05.450 --> 00:30:21.335 Well, he kind of asked me. Well, he was kind of bashful, but yeah, in a roundabout way. I don't know if he actually just came out and said will, you marry me. But you know, I got the gist of it. 00:30:21.335 --> 00:30:32.255 Yeah, you got the hint. Well, tell me what your first years of marriage were like. Were they tough? Were they wonderful? What was that like? 00:30:32.255 --> 00:30:59.660 I think everybody's first year of marriage is going to be tough. You know, you just learn to live with somebody new. After mom and dad and all the things you were used to. Actually, he had a house built for me before we ever got married. He had started a house after we had decided to get married. And the house was ready, we moved into our own house. 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:01.160 So, where was that located? 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:07.204 That was five miles South and three quarters of a mile East of Bristow, where I live right now. 00:31:07.204 --> 00:31:08.285 Oh, so right there? 00:31:08.285 --> 00:31:30.605 Right there. He had that house built by the time we got married, and he had bought the land from his grandma, I think. He and Orlan Colley [12/6/1908-10/1/1968], and I'm sure they had others, but they built the house there. And we've had to add on to it since. 00:31:30.605 --> 00:31:31.025 Right. 00:31:31.025 --> 00:31:38.450 But anyway, the house was there when we got married. So, we moved from my house, eight miles south to the house I live in now. 00:31:38.450 --> 00:31:42.650 I don't think I knew that. That's neat! Okay, all right. 00:31:42.650 --> 00:31:46.490 And I don't know what question you just asked me. 00:31:46.490 --> 00:31:52.069 Well, I mean, knowing now that that's the house. I didn't realize that that's where you have always lived. 00:31:52.069 --> 00:31:53.150 I've always lived. 00:31:53.150 --> 00:31:58.474 Well, that's so neat. So, how many acres did you have when you first got married? 00:31:58.474 --> 00:32:14.494 We had 37 acres there. No, I take that back. He may have had 15, and we bought some later. Either 15 or 30. He had bought it from his grandmother. 00:32:14.494 --> 00:32:19.160 And then you just kept adding it throughout your life together? 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:59.464 Actually, we bought another 80 acres that adjoined us. But we didn't get to buy that until just a few years before he passed away. It was owned by the Hollis family, who was a doctor here. And we tried to buy it several times through the years, and he wouldn't sell it. Then he passed on, and his kids had it, his kids got it, and they didn't want to sell it. And, so, a few years back, we saw a for sale on it and immediately contacted the realtor. And that's when we bought the 80 acres next to us. 00:32:59.464 --> 00:33:02.224 So,now you have around 124 acre farm? 00:33:02.224 --> 00:33:04.085 Yes. About that 130, 100. 00:33:04.085 --> 00:33:11.210 You have a lot, we'll just say a lot. 00:33:11.210 --> 00:33:22.069 Yeah. We have other property that doesn't join the property. But that was inherited, a lot of it by his dad, from his mom and dad. 00:33:22.069 --> 00:33:28.174 So, you guys have pretty much always had cattle and farmed there, right? 00:33:28.174 --> 00:33:40.234 Yes, we've farmed. He had cattle when we got married, maybe half a dozen or so. We've just added to that and raised cattle and calves and whatever. 00:33:40.234 --> 00:33:40.894 Over the years? Okay. 00:33:40.894 --> 00:33:43.174 Since we've been married, yes, 00:33:43.174 --> 00:33:47.255 Okay. And then tell me how many children you have. 00:33:47.255 --> 00:33:57.079 I have three. Pat, Patrick Todd, Rachel Michelle and Jennifer Lynn. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:34:16.744 Okay. And I have Pat's birthday, July 14, 1972 and he passed, July 4, 2016? Then I have Rachel as September 24, 1974, and then Jennifer's birthday, August 11, 1979? Does that sound, right? 00:34:16.744 --> 00:34:17.164 Yes. 00:34:17.164 --> 00:34:31.264 Well tell me, especially since you were a working mother, about any particular challenges you had as a mom with littles trying to work. Back at that time, what were some challenges you faced? 00:34:31.264 --> 00:34:35.164 Well, you had a challenge every day of getting up and getting around. 00:34:35.164 --> 00:34:38.090 Getting out the door? 00:34:38.090 --> 00:35:11.974 Yes, yes. But you know, I never really counted that as a challenge. It was just an everyday thing that you did. You know with the first one, of course with Pat and Rachel, I was home more. I didn't have to get everybody up and out. But after I started back to work, they were a little bit older. They weren't old, but they were a little bit older. So, you just get in a routine. You want to get there on time, you get there early. 00:35:11.974 --> 00:35:16.045 Right, right. Well, you had really good kids, too. 00:35:16.045 --> 00:35:25.440 I did. My kids were fabulous. They were good kids. They weren't rebellious, at least not when they were little. 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:27.719 We're not going to get into that, Sharon. 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:29.760 Okay. 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:34.000 Okay, then tell me how many, you have a lot of grandchildren? 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.559 I do. I can't wait to be a great grandma someday. But I don't know if that's ever gonna happen. 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:34.820 I have eight. 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:55.840 You have eight grandchildren, okay. Because Rachel has three. Jennifer has four. And then Pat has one. Okay, okay. And I know you love being a grandma. 00:35:55.840 --> 00:36:00.739 Well. Have you enjoyed being retired? 00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:13.219 Yes and no. I never minded working. You know, it never bothered me to work. I always enjoyed it. I didn't mind getting up, going to work. 00:36:13.219 --> 00:36:17.000 I feel like you're definitely a doer, like you're not a sit around kind of gal. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:24.980 No. That's true. I don't like to stay in the house and sit around. And I'm sure everybody that knows me, knows that. 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.880 Right, right. 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:34.880 Because I am still out and doing. I'm probably in town two or three times a day. But it never bothered me to work. 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:38.000 So it was probably a big adjustment, maybe? 00:36:38.000 --> 00:37:11.039 It was an adjustment of course. The reason, one of the reasons that I retired when I did was Gene's health was bad. He had been retired several years. He retired when he was 65, so he had been retired several years. And I felt like he needed me at home. So honestly, I retired to be there, to be there with him. And I like the part of being able to do what you want, when you want to do it. 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:12.659 Whatever, whenever. 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:24.900 Yeah, not having to be at a certain place at a certain time most of the time. But I didn't enjoy the free time. I'm not a big hobby person. I didn't really. 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:32.900 That's funny, because that was going to be my next question. Do you have any hobbies? Aside from all of your community service work. 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.260 Yeah. 00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:34.639 But I think you're just so... 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:42.480 I'm not really a hobby person. I enjoyed taking pictures, you know just for the fun of it. If we had a reunion, I was always snapping pictures. 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:44.000 You were the camera lady? 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:49.840 I'm the camera person. I'm probably not even going to have any pictures of me when I die. I'm not in anything. 00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:54.639 Well as a photographer, that's how it is at my house, too. Like I'm hardly in any pictures. 00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.780 I know. 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:57.579 You're always the picture taker. 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:59.320 Girls, you better start looking early. 00:37:59.320 --> 00:38:00.159 Yes, right. 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.719 I'm not in any of my pictures. 00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:25.284 Well, so since you don't have any hobbies. I think one of the things that you're known for in Bristow is your heart for service. You have given your heart and soul to this community. So, I'd like to talk some. I know we we talked a little bit about church early on. But I know your church life is very important to you. 00:38:25.284 --> 00:38:25.644 It is. 00:38:25.644 --> 00:38:27.804 So, tell me what you're involved in there. 00:38:27.804 --> 00:38:34.945 Okay. Well I go to the Bristow Holiness Church now. And we just finished a new sanctuary. 00:38:34.945 --> 00:38:35.844 A beautiful building! 00:38:35.844 --> 00:39:18.295 We just got into it a week ago Sunday. It is beautiful! So we had some fundraisers along the way for that. But right now, I've taught the beginners, the little kids in Sunday school. They start about 18 months to up to age four. I've taught that age group for several years, a lot of years. I don't even know how many years, but I love them. I love teaching that group. I conduct booster bands for them, the little ones that come up on Sunday morning and sing little booster band songs. And they're so cute. They're so cute when they're up there. 00:39:18.295 --> 00:39:18.594 Yes. 00:39:18.594 --> 00:39:55.585 And I love doing that. And you know, our church has always been very giving. We are working right now on helping raise stuff for Social Services. We're bringing in stuffing mixes for Social Services, for Christmas baskets. So we've got a great youth group, and we've got a great church altogether. Our pastor, Brother Douglas and Sister Cecily are wonderful people. They're great leaders, and they're wonderful people. So I love my church! 00:39:55.585 --> 00:39:58.284 Yeah. I knew that was very important. 00:39:58.284 --> 00:39:59.965 It is very important to me. Yes ma'am. 00:39:59.965 --> 00:40:13.329 So, then let's also talk about all the other things that you do. And I have a whole list here. You just tell me what all you're involved in, because it's a lot. 00:40:13.329 --> 00:40:58.179 Okay, well, right now I'm not involved in that much. But I will tell you that growing up and being in Bristow, while I worked in Bristow, I always enjoyed getting involved in the community. But you have to understand, by getting involved in the community and working, you had to be working at a place that allowed you to do that. And so working at Community, they were so good to let me go out. I mentored, would do reading programs with kids at the elementary sometimes. But again, they had to let me off for that 45 minutes or whatever to go do that. I delivered Meals-on-Wheels, I don't know how many years. 00:40:58.179 --> 00:41:00.219 I think you told me, like 40 years? 00:41:00.219 --> 00:41:44.829 Yeah, probably. Honestly, I never kept track with the years, because time goes so fast. But I started when, well I don't know if I started then, but one of my first memories is when they served the meals out of the Mason's Lodge. They would actually go to the Mason's Lodge and get the meals to deliver. Then they went on, for awhile I think they did it at the Housing Authority. And now they're doing doing it at the Ninth Street village. 00:41:44.829 --> 00:41:45.190 Right. 00:41:45.190 --> 00:41:47.349 Yeah, I don't remember the name of that. But anyway... 00:41:47.349 --> 00:41:48.849 The retirement community there? 00:41:48.849 --> 00:41:58.809 Yeah, the retirement community. We get the meals. And they have several drivers that go out and deliver the meals to the people, home-bound or people that can't get out. 00:41:58.809 --> 00:41:58.989 Right. 00:41:58.989 --> 00:42:04.210 And they're always looking for volunteers. So, if you want to volunteer, there you go. 00:42:04.210 --> 00:42:05.755 Another volunteer opportunity. 00:42:05.755 --> 00:42:26.695 Another volunteer. I remember Western Heritage Days. We used to, all of the stores would dress up for Western Heritage Days. We would put our old costumes on and have the contest for best dressed and the best business. I remember we'd have gun fights on the street. 00:42:26.695 --> 00:42:42.039 So, do you remember back then? Western Heritage Days has always been a very common theme or a prominent memory for people. Who at that time, when it was such a big deal, who organized it at that time? 00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:45.539 You know, I don't really remember who organized it. 00:42:45.539 --> 00:42:48.079 To have all the businesses involved. 00:42:48.079 --> 00:42:51.079 I think it was just organized by the chamber. 00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.800 Okay. 00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:52.639 I'm not sure. 00:42:52.639 --> 00:42:53.900 I was just curious. 00:42:53.900 --> 00:43:19.684 Yeah. I remember Lafayette Johnson. He was a fellow that used to shine shoes in Red Bird Shoe Shop. And he was a very big advocate. He would go up and down the street, either selling tickets, if they need them sold, or promoting it. I remember they used to have bed races. They would have bed races in the street, stick horse races, all kinds of things. 00:43:19.684 --> 00:43:19.980 Fun stuff. 00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:21.559 So, it was a really big thing back then. 00:43:21.559 --> 00:43:22.219 Yeah. 00:43:22.219 --> 00:43:24.840 So I really enjoyed getting involved with that. 00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:37.519 With that being said, that along with your Easter egg hunt, that was all like you mentioned earlier, because you worked somewhere that allowed you to be part of that. 00:43:37.519 --> 00:44:29.650 Yes, Easter egg hunt. I love the Easter egg hunt, and it's still going now. It actually started with the 4h Club. I think before I got involved, several years before that, they had one somewhere. I don't remember, it seems like it might have been out by the Krumme building or something. But anyway, by the time I got involved Jennifer was in 4H. Danny Collins had kids in 4H and so we said, why don't we start that as a 4H project. Well, through the years, you have different 4H leaders that do different things. But the 4H leader right now, she's doing a great job helping us. So we're getting that done. But yes, I love the Easter egg hunt, and it's still going now. I mean and it started when Jennifer was in 4H. 00:44:29.650 --> 00:44:30.539 Right! 00:44:30.539 --> 00:44:41.619 So, yeah. And then you also, I know you've mentioned the toy run, the Day of Caring with United Way... 00:44:41.619 --> 00:45:18.804 Yeah, we just got through with that. And social services is a big part of that. It has evolved. It's actually, as you know, it's hard to get volunteers for things. But it's just as hard to get people to ask for help, you know. So when we started it, we actually had projects that people would give us ideas to do. We would mow lawns, we would clean yards, you know. But as time went on and the liability got greater, as far as if you did anything wrong. 00:45:18.804 --> 00:45:19.344 Right. 00:45:19.344 --> 00:45:28.090 You know you had to kind of scale back. But anyway, we just got through with the Day of Caring in August. The toy run is actually going to be tomorrow. 00:45:28.090 --> 00:45:28.630 Oh! 00:45:28.630 --> 00:45:49.090 It's not, no it's Saturday, November 1. Yeah, and the businesses have been very generous in giving to that. You know, we'll talk to the businesses and see if they want to donate some money or donate a toy. If they donate money, then we go buy the toys. 00:45:49.090 --> 00:45:50.000 And is that donated to social services? 00:45:50.000 --> 00:45:54.539 It's donated to social services and some to the Head Start. 00:45:54.539 --> 00:45:54.820 Okay! 00:45:54.820 --> 00:46:05.800 They get some of those also, if they have kids that need toys. So, yeah, that's going to be Saturday. Anybody that wants to get involved in that, come on down. 00:46:05.800 --> 00:46:12.900 And then, in talking to Rachel, she also mentioned that you were Citizen of the Year in 2019? 00:46:12.900 --> 00:46:13.440 Yes, ma'am. 00:46:13.440 --> 00:46:15.000 And that's through the chamber. 00:46:15.000 --> 00:46:18.840 Through the chamber, okay. And then you had a business award, tell me about that too. 00:46:18.840 --> 00:46:38.744 Yes, actually, it was through the Business and Professional Women. They nominated me for an award, and I had to go to Tulsa to interview for that. It was a big deal. 00:46:38.744 --> 00:46:39.704 Yeah! 00:46:39.704 --> 00:46:48.764 I, of course, was nervous going up there, but they had a list of questions that they would ask. And anyway, I got that. 00:46:48.764 --> 00:46:50.144 So,it was a big honor. 00:46:50.144 --> 00:46:59.804 It was quite an honor. Yes, it was. It was a great deal. Also, there was another one at the chamber. What did you mention? 00:46:59.804 --> 00:47:01.050 The Citizen of the Year? 00:47:01.050 --> 00:47:03.510 Yeah, it was the achievement, I think. 00:47:03.510 --> 00:47:05.130 Okay. 00:47:05.130 --> 00:47:08.340 I have gotten two awards through the chamber. 00:47:08.340 --> 00:47:11.699 That doesn't surprise me even a little bit. 00:47:11.699 --> 00:47:13.000 That was quite an honor to do that. 00:47:13.000 --> 00:47:23.380 Well, can you think of, there's such a long list. Can you think of any other things that we have forgotten, that you've been involved in, or that you've enjoyed doing around Bristow? 00:47:23.380 --> 00:47:29.019 Well, right now, I enjoy helping the social services. 00:47:29.019 --> 00:47:30.000 In whatever capacity. 00:47:30.000 --> 00:48:00.885 In whatever. Yes, I do go to the office and volunteer one day a week. But, I'm on the Social Services Board of Directors. So another thing that I remember, Dr Cooper had started a clinic called the Bristow Free Clinic. It was for people that needed care, that couldn't afford care. That was one day a month, I think. 00:48:00.885 --> 00:48:01.244 Okay. 00:48:01.244 --> 00:48:04.244 So I was on that board for awhile. 00:48:04.244 --> 00:48:06.105 So were you also on the hospital board? 00:48:06.105 --> 00:48:10.559 I was on the hospital board. Yes, I was on the hospital board. 00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:20.199 You need a whole entire big resume to remember everything that you've done. Anything else that you can think of that we might be forgetting? 00:48:20.199 --> 00:48:29.840 Well, no, not really. Again, I have to emphasize the fact that none of this would have been possible if I hadn't worked in a place that was allowing me. 00:48:29.840 --> 00:48:29.920 When you work and you are on these boards, you have to have some time off. 00:48:29.920 --> 00:48:31.659 Wonderful business! 00:48:31.659 --> 00:48:33.280 Right. 00:48:33.280 --> 00:48:37.300 To do that. 00:48:37.300 --> 00:48:38.599 Right, Okay. 00:48:38.599 --> 00:48:45.599 Let me see, I was secretary for the bank for a while. 00:48:45.599 --> 00:48:54.420 Oh, okay. We'll probably turn this interview off and go, oh yeah, there was like three or four other things I forgot about. 00:48:54.420 --> 00:48:55.199 That's plenty. 00:48:55.199 --> 00:49:07.980 Okay. Well, I want to ask you and this is just kind of a I'm curious about. How do you feel the world is different now than when you were a child? 00:49:07.980 --> 00:49:34.585 Oh, my goodness, technology. Technology has changed so much. As a kid, we grew up being a kid. We can be a kid. You can't be a kid anymore. You're going to be sitting in front of a screen or a phone or something, you know. I don't feel like kids can be kids anymore. I feel like kids have too much technology. They have to keep up with somebody. 00:49:34.585 --> 00:49:37.405 Almost like the youth has been robbed? 00:49:37.405 --> 00:49:38.664 Yes, yes. 00:49:38.664 --> 00:49:42.804 I feel like they feel pressured to do more. 00:49:42.804 --> 00:49:43.000 Right! 00:49:43.000 --> 00:49:49.840 Know more. So, I mean, I think technology has been a good, big part of that. 00:49:49.840 --> 00:49:53.960 Well, I do think in some ways, you know, obviously technology is a positive. 00:49:53.960 --> 00:49:56.480 Technology is great! 00:49:56.480 --> 00:50:01.000 But in so many ways, especially for youth, I agree with you. I think it's a big negative. 00:50:01.000 --> 00:50:07.840 I think it's great for kids, not for kids, but for adults. I think we need it. We have to have it. 00:50:07.840 --> 00:50:08.260 Yeah. 00:50:08.260 --> 00:50:10.539 But I think kids need to be kids. 00:50:10.539 --> 00:50:10.960 Yes. 00:50:10.960 --> 00:50:17.440 I think they need to be taught to enjoy their life, enjoy being a kid. 00:50:17.440 --> 00:50:20.800 Enjoy and learn how to talk, actually talk to people. 00:50:20.800 --> 00:50:22.780 Actually talk to people, yeah. 00:50:22.780 --> 00:50:32.440 Okay. What do you feel is our nation's biggest problem, and how do you think it can be solved? 00:50:32.440 --> 00:51:03.025 Well, the nation's biggest problem is turning away from God. You know, they took prayer out of school. They took God out of everything. You know what I'm saying. So, our coins say In God We Trust. I don't even know if that still says that. I don't even know if they still print that on on the coins anymore. But they don't, the world doesn't trust in God anymore. They trust in technology. 00:51:03.025 --> 00:51:04.164 And man? 00:51:04.164 --> 00:51:06.025 Man, yes absolutely! 00:51:06.025 --> 00:51:34.500 Okay. How have historic events for example, like the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11, maybe a natural disaster or even a World War. Have any of any of those types of events affected your life, and even covid? I mean, you could count covid in that. 00:51:34.500 --> 00:52:07.005 I think it affected everybody. Covid affected everybody's life. The Oklahoma City bombing affected so many people's lives. I don't know, just in daily life, it's affected so much. Because you used to be able to say what you wanted, do what you wanted, go where you wanted. Now, the government's got an eye everywhere. You know, you can be thinking something and it'll pop up. 00:52:07.005 --> 00:52:10.320 It comes up on your phone. 00:52:10.320 --> 00:52:22.380 I'm like, how could that be possible? So, I don't know. I just think that especially Covid has had such an effect. People are afraid to do anything anymore. 00:52:22.380 --> 00:52:22.739 Yeah. 00:52:22.739 --> 00:52:27.360 They're afraid to go out in public without covering their mouth, something like that. 00:52:27.360 --> 00:52:46.300 Okay, okay. Well, my final question for you, first of all, is there anything else you would like to tell us? And I would like for you to leave some wisdom for future generations. Give us some Sharon VanOrsdol wisdom to leave for future generations. 00:52:46.300 --> 00:53:25.539 Okay. If you're working, if you get there on time, you're late. So be there early, do more than expected, and always stay busy. And as far as wisdom, the thing that has helped me, and I can't remember, it's in Psalms. But I can't remember the verse. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. And there's been many times that I've needed that strength. 00:53:25.539 --> 00:53:48.159 Yes, I agree. Well Sharon, I know you were nervous to do this interview, but honestly, it's been one of my favorite ones. You've done such a great job, and it's been such a joy talking to you. Your interview will become an important part of the Oral History Archives for our museum. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, and we really appreciate it. 00:53:48.159 --> 00:53:50.159 Well, you are welcome! NOTE TRANSCRIPTION END ]]> video 0 https://bristoworalhistory.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=OHP-0077_Sharon_VanOrsdol.xml OHP-0077_Sharon_VanOrsdol.xml
Dublin Core
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Title
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Sharon VanOrsdol
Description
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Sharon VanOrsdol, born July 9, 1949, in Gypsy, Oklahoma, shared her life story with Regan Siler. Sharon, who has seven siblings, lived in Gypsy all her life. She attended Gypsy School and Depew High School, graduating in 1967. Sharon worked at various jobs, including Bristow Memorial Hospital and American National Bank, before joining Community Bank, where she worked for 42.5 years. Married to Franklin Gene VanOrsdol since 1968, they had three children. Sharon is actively involved in the Bristow Holiness Church and community service, including Meals-on-Wheels and the Easter egg hunt. She emphasized the impact of technology on youth and the importance of faith.
Identifier
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OHP-0077
Date
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2025/10/30
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video