Volume 1, No. 1. Published by KPR Media Services California Dreamin' Brothers Reunite! Mike, Dot, Jayne and Don at poolside in San Jose.
ROUND TUIT RANCH, SPRINGHILL,
KANSAS - After a hiatus lasting three decades Mike
and Dot Rattenne flew to California in October 1995 at the request
of the California Rattennes to visit Mike's older brother Don in San Jose.
Mike and Dot's resident daughter, Tammy, watched the families Kansas homestead,
the Round Tuit Ranch, while the pair was away.
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Aunt Dot, Karen Mosca and Jayne lounge in Jayne's well-appointed living room. |
Relatives Came From Miles Around
Dot and Jayne pose in Jayne's garden.
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Mike and Dot's arrival
in San Jose was cause enough to draw every member of the California Rattennes
to the Family homestead in San Jose. Mike's nephew Kirk and his family,
drove 70 miles from their north bay home in Petaluma; his favorite niece
Karen drove over 170 miles from their mountain home in Nevada County (in
the foothills of the Sierra Nevada); oldest nephew Ken
had travelled 90 miles from Modesto, in California's heartland. Everyone
converged on Don and Jayne's San Jose home to have an enjoyable afternoon
and dinner with their Kansas relatives.
And quite a dinner it was too. Reports indicate that the Rattenne favorite, chocolate pie, was even served for dessert. In the end, a rousing time was had by all. In fact, Jayne and Mike even cut a rug in the living room when Jayne induced Mike to dance with her. The following day was a "rest" day, findiing Mike, Dot, Don, Jayne and Ken relaxing and spending the day visiting. On Mike and Dot's last day in California Dot got her wish to "see the ocean," when Don agreed to change their original plans and drive to Santa Cruz for lunch on the wharf. Finally, it was time to go and Don and Jayne drove Mike and Dot directly to the San Jose airport, where Mike and Dot once again were forced to walk across the tarmac to their waiting plane. Postscript No one knew it at the
time but that visit with brother Don would be the last for Mike and Dot.
A mere four and a half months later, on March 3rd, 1996, Don would unexpectedly
pass away.
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