“Our Angel”
Words and music by Marianne Fridell
with Mrs. Bradeen’s 5th Grade Class
©2013 Marianne Fridell
No matter what you do give your all and be proud of what you do.
No matter what job you have, do your best and be glad.
I was born in 1927 when it stopped being damp.
By noon it was dusty and dark, Mom had to light the kerosene lamp.
To the one room school I’d ride my horse Pat.
Felt highly insulted when my brother sat behind me and pulled on my shirt tail.
I must have been an angel. I don’t remember being in trouble.
We had a simple life on the farm. No lights, no phone, no TV.
You ate what was set on the table. You couldn’t be picky.
I helped out. We all had our chores.
I herded cattle with my trusty horse, and followed my nose home to Mom’s fresh bread.
I must have been an angel. I don’t remember being in trouble.
First job in a drugstore. I was fourteen, so young.
Stocking shelves or frying burgers, doing whatever had to be done.
I’ve loved raising my family and the challenge of working in forestry.
Now I work at Carson Drug. Guess I’m back where I began.
No matter what you do give your all and be proud of what you do.
No matter what job you have, do your best and be glad.
Now there’s someone at my house who thinks he’s the boss,
He stands and stares at me until he gets his point across.
If I try to ignore him, Shawn Boy raises the stakes by barking.
I’m fond of him, but I don’t always mind him.
I am still an angel, even if he thinks I’m trouble.
When I bake pies I don’t make just one,
5 pounds of flour before they’re done.
It’s one way to show how I care to give those pies away.
It’s important to treat others well and reach out every day.
We think that you’re an angel, we know that you’re not trouble.
We think that you’re an angel, we know that you’re not trouble.
We’re think that you’re an angel.
You’re our angel. You’re our angel. You’re our angel.
You’re our angel.
Marge Baldwin was born in 1927 in Webster, SD. Her life growing up was very simple. She grew up during the “dirty thirties” and remembers her mom struggling to keep the house clean from all the dust flying around. She did many chores, rode horses, and was a good girl. She had two older sisters and a younger brother. Her parent’s names were Mable and Oscar.
Marge went to a country school growing up. She often had to ride her horse, Pat, to school. She loved school and her favorite subject was reading and spelling. When she was 14 she got her first job at a drug store in Pierpont, SD. Large candy bars were only a nickel and gas was 10 to 15 cents a gallon. Marge graduated from Pierpont High School and married Lee Baldwin in the fall of 1946. Together they had 5 children: 2 boys and 3 girls who blessed them with 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Her favorite job was working at the U.S. Forest Service as Secretary to the Forest Supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest in Custer, SD. She worked at this job for 27 years. She liked this job because she was able to travel many places and work with the representatives of senators and congressmen. Her favorite state she visited was Louisiana. One memorable event from her job was when she served dinner to President George H. W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, when they came to rededicate Mt. Rushmore. She currently works part time at Carson Drug.
Marge Baldwin’s favorite colors are black and white. Her favorite food is mashed potatoes and gravy. Marge’s miniature poodle, Shawn Boy, is very important in her life – he’s the boss of the house. She says she tries to learn something new every day. Some of Marge’s hobbies include quilting and pie making. Recently, Marge celebrated her 80th birthday by taking a hot air balloon ride. She also was honored as Parade Marshall of the Gold Discovery Days parade for her work with the Pageant. One of her life lessons she shared with us was always care about other people and be kind. Her life motto is no matter what job you have, do your best and be proud of it.
Thank you, Mrs. Baldwin, for sharing your story with us!