City of Bridges in 1969

Saskatoon, looking North over the South Saskatchewan River







Settling into daily life

Fritz busy in his make-shift studio, 1969

Emerging unharmed from what seemd like a very harsh first winter, 43 years ago, the walks around the city were much easier. The younger two children settled into the nearby schools, Albert Elementary School and Nutana Collegiate, while the older two had found jobs. Fritz continued to sketch and paint - there were many commissions for portraits - and busy mother and wife Waltraude took a job in graphic arts at the U of S, the nearby University of Saskatchewan.

Minor renovations, in the house with blue carpet, lime green walls and salmon colored kitchen cupboards were also ongoing. Mostly painting and shelf building. Some of the old make-do furniture is still in the house today, as there never seemed to be a priority to replace the repainted kitchen chairs and old tables.

Front entrance, Nutana Collegiate



Albert Elementary School



Shopping and laundry was also still something to get used to. Thankfully, there were neighbors and friends who offered help, especially with the driving, until there was enough money to purchase things like a small washing machine and eventually, a small car ('small' being uncommon in the late 1960s!). Oddly, bicycles were only for children back then, so it was a few years before adult bikes were seen on the streets.