ONE CLAYTON FAMILY

Sweet Violet Nolan Zimmerer. Grand Daughter of Ole and Helena Westby, Daughter of Ida T. Westby and Cloyd Nolan. Violet is the Mother of Lorraine and Ron, Grandmother to their children.

Just a short distance down Spotted Road from the Ole T. Westby spread where most every building still stands to this day was the Forreston one room School house. There, their children spent and received their entire education. This included little Ida, standing third from the left. So when Ida grew up got married and took over the homestead her children too attended the Forreston school. Violet spent 8 years.

This four generation picture includes Ida with Violet at her side and Lorraine with her arms around her Daughter Tracy.

Ida Westby was married to Cloyd Nolan, the handsome gentleman to the right. Ida was born 3/16/1898 and died 4/1/1985.

Mr. Cloyd G. Nolan, the man Rainy Nord affectionatly refers to as Grandpa. Love in this proud family was wide spread. Born in Sept. 1888 and passed away in April 1988.

They vowed through sickness and in health. These final days are not easy but they lasted till Cloyd was 6 months shy of 100 years old.

As in every family, some days are diamonds, some days are stones. On February 22, 1947, Mr. Elmer Zimmerer took the hand of Miss Violet Nolan in Thompson Falls, Montana, and made that day a diamond for the Nolan and Zimmerer families.

Pals for life. Ruth Elvadahl and Violet went from the first grade through the eighth together at Forreston School. Violet was born August 20, 1920.

Rainy astride Babe in the Deer Park Settlers Parade in 1961, 3rd horse and rider back.

When Violet married Elmer Zimmerer it was a fork in the road that led to a marvelous family. Here is a Zimmerer family photograph. Front row L-R. Claudia Cundy, Clara Zimmerer. Lorraine ( little Rainy) Zimmerer, Rainy's Brother Ron Zimmerer, Edward Zimmerer, Hazel, Roxie and Julia Zimmerer. Back row L-R. Elmer and Violet, Mary (holding daughter Linda) and Lawrence, Harry, Pearl and John, all Zimmerers.

Babe was a mixture of Belgium, Morgan and Quarter Horse. Put a little kid on a draft horse and they move like they are walking on eggs. If a kid falls off they freeze in their tracks. Perhaps you have noticed this family does a certain amount of horsing around. These tiny tots aboard Babe are Pat son of Don Nolan and Kay Ann daughter of Ron Zimmerer.

Just a few miles south of Elmer and Violet's place was the Lawrence and Mary Zimmerer spread. Mary now resides in Deer Park.

Also nearby was another relative, Ole A Westby, later occupied by the Dwight Boyd family.

Just one more flame in the Love life of Rainy Nord. A bit to spry for comfort for her family so he moved on just this year.

Ida Westby Nolan and her kiddies, Violet on the left Lillie (Nolan) LeRoche, Ida T. Westby Nolan and Dorothy (Nolan) Lihnd

On May 21st, Little Tracy takes Babe for about her last ride. Babe found even greener pastures in Aug. of 72.

Even though the family lives in historic surroundings and have their livestock, the focus is centered on the Family. And here they are, L-R front- Alex Hoffman, Rainy Nord, Catherine Hoffman, Warren Nord, Violet Z, Maygen Nord and her Brother Colesen. Back row- Russle Hoffman, Tracy Nord Hoffman, Jason Hoffman. Cory Nord and and Ammy Davis Nord. Colesen and Maygen are about to steal some thunder.

Babe could play and Babe could work. She is bringing in a king size Chistmas tree for Rainy and Ron to decorate.

Colesen and Maygen with their matched team are prepared for a very important contest at the Clayton Community Fairgrounds.

OK. We're ready, bring 'em on!

First you need to get them limbered up and get rid of the jitters.

Putting them through their paces.

Waiting for the judges decision.

8 year old Maygen and 5 yearold Colsen entered their very first competition. Here is your 2008 RESERVE CHAMPION, Miss Maygen NORD!

And here is the 2008 Clayton Commuity Fair GRAND CHAMPION, Master Colesen NORD. A hearty congratulations to both of our Champs.

So as the light fades and dusk descends, dreams of a glorious past drift by like the wind through the mane of a free striding pony. Dreams of John Green and Babe and days like today when their children and their children say, "All is right with the world."