I am a retired Registered Nurse who has taught nursing and infection control topics for over 40 years. I have an extensive background in public speaking and teaching with over 100 conference presentations and courses throughout the United States. Since my retirement I have been a docent at Joslyn Castle, sharing the history of the home and Joslyn family.
My Great grandfather was Peter Sandoz. His father, Paul was a brother to Ami Sandoz, (“Old Jules” father) one of the uncles he recruited to live in the sandhills. You will find my great grandfather Peter mentioned several times in the book Old Jules and especially connected to the rattlesnake bite episode.
My father was an identical twin and was born in Rushville while living on the Peter Sandoz ranch near the Jules Sandoz ranch. My grandmother and her sister played with Mari as children. My father and his brother spent many summers working on the ranch under the care of Peter. When my father’s twin died, he left all his Sandoz information to me. I have a personal scrapbook that Peter kept just on Mari and several personal letters to him from Caroline (Mari’s younger sister). I have given many items to the Sandoz Center in Chadron but have pictures, land deeds and more to personalize a presentation on the life of Mari Sandoz.
In 2015, my husband and I attended the fifth international reunion in Neuchatel, Switzerland to experience the Sandoz history prior to their immigration to the United States.