The neighborhood will never be the same here on Wilby Road.

In the past year and a half we have lost good neighbors and friends. Half of them from cancer.

Vernon (Billy) Olson, 1930 Wilby Road

Carol Hanson, 1929 Wilby Road

Joy Bergstrom, 1939 Wilby Road

Joyce Ross, 1938 Wilby Road

Lowell Ross, 1938 Wilby Road

Dean Allen, 1926 Wilby Road

Marge Mackay, 1932 Wilby Road

George Boettcher, 1934 Wilby Road

Bill Hammer, 1906 Wilby Road

Most of them I knew long before I moved to Wilby Road 11 years ago.

I will miss our gab fests over coffee. Our backyard over-the-fence talks (so to speak).

One bright and sunny May Day, Joyce Ross left May baskets by our doorsteps, rang the doorbell and ran. Just like when we were kids. I miss you, Joyce.

We will no longer see George Boettcher walking down Wilby Road with his little black dog Brutus.

Brutus right there at George’s side, faithful to the end. Brutus mourns his master.

We will not see Dean Allen in his red car driving down Wilby Road at the same time every day (3:30 p.m.) after a beer with his friends at the Moose Club.

Last Sunday we had our neighborhood picnic. Marge Mackay, I missed your baked beans. I missed you.

We will remember all of you always and you will be forever in our hearts. Love thy neighbor.

Helen B. Allen

Albert Lea