Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

John and Jennie V. (Custine) Serena, 7 South 51 West



JOHN'S FAMILY

John's father Louis Serena proved up a quarter in Graham County, Kansas in 1889.
In 1900 Graham County, Louis born March 1851 in Italy, is married 17 years to Carolina April 1867 in Iowa. She's had seven kids, six living. John July 1884, Annie Feb 1886, Wiliam Sept 1887, Lidtie Nov 1889, Frank June 1895,m and Grace Apr 1899, all kids born in Kansas.
JENNIE'S FAMILY
In 1895 Graham County, Kansas, Jules and Rose Custine are both 43, Frank 16, Wm. 14, Jennie 8, Rosine 6, and Powderly 3.

In 1900 Graham County, Kansas, Jennie, born Oct 1886 in Kansas, is with Rose 50,m married but no spouse, born in France. WIlliam is 16, Jennie V. 13, Rosa M. 11, and Pouderly 8 all born in Kansas.

In 1910 Graham County, Jules Custine is 57, Rosalie 59, Jennie V. 22, Rosa 20,a nd Powderly A. 19.

Jules is buried in Buchanan, Kansas # 103597105.
"Jules Custine was born in Belgium, November 3, 1852 and departed this life at his home near Logan, Kansas on December 18,1937 at the age of 85. He came to American at the age of 16, locating in Illinois.
He was married to Rose Alice Barber on December 19, 1872. To this union were born six sons and three daughters, of whom three sons preceded him in death.
He moved with his family to Minerville, Cloud County, Kansas, in about 1879. The family located about 1883 in Graham County where he resided until his death.
He leaves to mourn his death, his wife; three sons; John of Bogue, William and Powderly of Logan; two daughters, Mrs. Rosa Paramore of Crook, Colorado and Mrs. Jennie Serena of Bogue; 16 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at the Buchanan school house, conducted by Rev. C. H. Cowman, pastor of the Methodist Church of Logan. Burial was made at the Buchanan Cemetery, one mile north of Buchanan." "
Rose Alice (Barber) Custine is also buried in Buchanan # 106794514.
"Rose Alice Barber was born in France May 4, 1850 and departed this life March 12, 1938 at the age of 87. At the age of three years she with her parents came to America, locating in Chicago, IL, later moving to Braidwood.
She was united in marriage with Jules Custine at Joliet, IL in 1872 and to this union eight children were born: six sons and two daughters of which three sons have preceded her in death. Her husband passed away in December of 1937. The family moved to Kansas about 1885, locating in Graham County where she resided at the time of her death.
Although her health has been poor for several years, she always bore her afflictions with a smiling countenance, always thinking of others first, never wanting to be a burden or intrude upon anyone's time or pleasures, at all times denying herself that she might give more comfort and pleasure to her loved ones.
She leaves to mourn her passing three sons: John of Bogue; William and Powderly of Logan; two daughters: Mrs. Rose Paramore of Crook, CO and Mrs. Jennie Serena of Bogue; sixteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at Buchanan School House conducted by Rev. C. H. Cowman of Logan. Interment was made in Buchanan Cemetery."

Rose (Custine) Paramore 1889-1957 and Clarence M. Paramore 1886-1953 are buried in North Platte, Nebraska.

Jennie claimed two quarters in sections 15 and 22, 7S 51W in 1915.


Teaching in the Flagler school in 1914, District # 14, were C.E. Cuthbertson, Nina Anderson, Hazel Borton, Jennie V. Custine, Blanche Greek, Edith Huntzinger, Virgil LaRue, Virginia Pemberton, Lucy Muck, and Prudence Robinson.

In 1918 " District 14 - Alice Dietz, Mrs. J.R. Coddry, Mrs. Langcamp, Lucy Muck, Mrs. Millie Gettshall, Alta M. Hancock, all of Flagler. "
JENNIE AND JOHN

In 1930 Kit Carson County, Jennie is 43, married to John Serena 45, with laurence D. 9, Ivanole J. 5, Doy D. and Dola D. 3 and Jennie Lyn 1.

In 1940 Kuna, Ada County, Idaho, John is 55, Jennie 53, Laurence 19, Joy 15, Doy 13, Dola 13, and Jenny Lynn 11.

John is buried in Caldwell # 107905083.
"John B. Serena, 78, Caldwell, Route 4, died Deer Trail, Colo, unexpectedly Sunday, August 25, 1962 while attending a family reunion.
Mr. Serena was born July, 1 1884, in Bogue, Kansas, and was reared in Kansas. He was married April 23, 1919, in Hill City, Kan., to Jennie Custine and they resided in Kansas for four years at which time they moved to Flaglar, Colo., returning to Kansas in 1935 and then moving to Kuna in 1938. In 1945 they moved to the Riverside Community near Caldwell and has made their home there since that time. He was a member of the Lakeview Grange.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of Caldwell, include four daughters, Mrs. Carlos Bledsoe (Joy) and Mrs. Eli Serratos (Doy), both of Nampa, Mrs. Wesley O. Jones (Dola) of Grangeville, and Mrs. Jennie Lynn Bristow of Caldwell; one son Lawrence D. Serena of Bremerton, Wash.; two sisters, Mrs. Pat Hill of Rogers, Arizona and Mrs. Howard Wilbur of Middleton; three brothers, William of Deer Trail, Frank of Winslow, Colo. , and Wayne Serena of Boise; 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Dee Dee Delores, and four sisters, one brother and two grandchildren."

Jennie is buried in Caldwell, Idaho 1886-1968 # 107904999.
"Funeral services for Mrs. Jennie Virginia Serena, 81, of 112 Fern St., who died Tuesday morning at a local nursing home following an extended illness, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Alsip Funeral Chapel with Loren Greer, of the Marsing Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Karcher Road.
Mrs. Serena was born Oct. 14, 1886 in Graham County, Kansas. In 1910, she homesteaded near Flagler, Colo. She was married on April 23, 1919, to John B. Serena at Hill City, Kan., and they resided in Kansas for four years prior to moving to Flagler Colo. They returned to Kansas in 1935, and then moved to Kuna, Idaho in 1938. In 1945, they moved to Riverside community near Caldwell. Mr. Serena preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 1962. She had made her home in the Boise Valley since that time. She taught school prior to her marriage, and then following her marriage in Colorado. All together she had taught school for about 20 years.
She is survived by one son, Lawrence D. Serena of Bremerton, Wash.; four daughters, Mrs. Carlos (Joy) Bledsoe of Nampa, Mrs. Eli (Doy) Serratos of Nampa, Mrs. Wesley (Dola) Jones of Grangeville, Idaho, and Mrs. Jenny Lynn Bristow of Caldwell; and by 19 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by one daughter, three grandchildren, seven brothers and sisters, and by her parents. "

LAURENCE

Laurence D. Serena 1920-2011 is buried in Pierce County, Washington, # 66090204.
" Laurence D. Serena was born June 22, 1920 in Bogue, KS to Jennie and John Serena. He was the only son and oldest child, having five younger sisters. He lived in Kansas and Colorado until his teen years when the family moved to Idaho. He graduated from Kuna High School in Idaho and farmed in the Marsing, ID area. He married Naomi Fisher in 1941.
Laurence Dean Serena and Lydia Naomi Fisher married on August 24, 1941 in Meridian, Idaho.
He served in the Army from 1944-1946, medic detachment 511th Airborne and parachute infantry and demolition. He was stationed overseas and in occupied Japan.

Laurence D. Serena and Naomi L. Serena married in Canyon, Idaho on March 6, 1951.
He was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4992 and was a Past President Commander.
He married LeNora "Lee" Wood-Grimes on April 17, 1953 in Canyon, Idaho. They moved to Bremerton, WA in 1954 where he worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He completed a four-year machinist apprenticeship there and retired in 1972.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping and traveling, collecting, gold panning with friends, gardening and farming. He supported many, many children's charities and especially enjoyed his grand-, great- and great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife "Lee", his father and mother, two sisters Dola and Dee Dee, an infant son Johnny and a daughter Shirley. He is survived by his children, Gary (Shannon) of Payette, ID, Bonnie (Cordell) Sunkel of Silverdale, WA, Karen Potts of Port Orchard, WA and Nona Hernandez of Boise, ID; three sisters, Joy Bledsoe, Doy Serrotos, and Jenny Lynn Bristow; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends."

DOY

Doy Dove (Serena) Serratos is buried in Nampa # 74092073.
"Doy Dove Serratos of Nampa died at age 84 in her home on July 25, 2011.
She was born on February 13, 1927, in Flagler, CO, the daughter of John and Jenny Serena. Her family moved to Idaho in 1933 and she graduated from Kuna High School in 1946.
She met and later married Elias (Eli) V. Serratos on November 20, 1946. They had three children, the first Kelia whom died at birth. They raised a son, Kenneth (Kenne) Serratos and a daughter, Delaine (Dee) Harvey in Nampa.
Doy had a long career with the Nampa Hot Lunch Program, starting as a dish washer and retired after many years as the Head Cook at Sunny Ridge Elementary School. For many years she worked two jobs, her second started at the little Corner Rock Store on 12th Ave and Dear Flat Road.
When she retired she traveled with her husband in their motor home to many states and did winter in Yuma, AZ.
She has one grandson, Joshua Kunz, and many stepgrandchildren.
Our mother expressed her joy of the care Denece Powell provided over the years.
Doy is survived by her son and his wife, Valerie Rodman, her daughter and husband, Kennith Harvey, sisters, Joy Bledsoe and Jenny Lynn Bristol.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother, Lawrence Serena, and triplet sisters, Dola D. Jones and Dee Dee Serena."

DOLA

Dola D. (Serena) Jones is buried in Grangeville, Idaho County, Idaho # 96377993. "Dola Jones, 80, of Grangeville, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Dola was born February 13, 1927 in a sod house, outside of Flagler, Colorado. She came into the world as the 3rd of triplet girls.
The family moved to Kuna, Idaho when she was in grade school. She grew up working hard on the farm milking cows, haying, and helping in the fruit orchard. After graduating from high school, she got a degree in bookkeeping and moved to Craigmont, Idaho, where she worked for Gray Motors.
She met Wesley Jones on a blind date at the Craigmont June Picnic and fell in love shortly there after. They were married at the 1st Christian Church in Grangeville on September 3, 1948.
Dola loved to cook, bake, sew, garden, and fix things. At one point, she owned over 30 rentals.
After retiring, she was given the nickname "Cookie Lady", which she earned by baking and delivering cookies around town as she paid her monthly bills.
Dola also loved to crochet, making afghans and baby blankets. She even won a few ribbons at the Idaho County Fair. She was a member of the Grangeville Christian Church.
Dola loved her family. She is survived by her 4 children, Lillian (Jones) Rusher and husband Tim and their children Elizabeth, Jennifer, Lorraine, Tim, Jr., and Wesley of Shelton, WA; Lydia (Jones) Grubb and husband Jim and their son Jonathan of Coeur d'Alene, ID; Ivan and Sherri Jones and their children Eric and Nina of Grangeville; and David Jones and his children Samantha and Joseph of Grangeville; great grandchildren Cassie and Joshua Jones of Placerville, CA; siblings Lawrence Serena of Bremerton, WA, Joy Bledsoe and Doy Seratus, both of Nampa, ID, and Jenny Bristow of Caldwell, ID, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dola joins her husband, Wesley, who passed away in 1995.
She will be remembered for her hard work ethic and generous spirit.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Christian Church with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville."

DEEDEE

Deedee Delores Serena is buried in the Flagler, Colorado cemetery, born Feb 13, 1927, dying December 21, 1928 # 24416271.


JENNIE

Jenny Lynn (Serena) Bristow is buried in Owyhee County, Idaho # 146566199.
"Jenny Lynn (Serena) Bristow passed away May 13th at home after a brief illness, surrounded by family and her faithful dog, Zoey.
Jenny Lynn was born August 20th, 1928 in Flagler, Colorado. She moved to Idaho in 1933 and graduated from Kuna High School in 1946. Jenny retired from J.R. Simplot Company after 35 years of service. An avid fisherman and gardener, she was known for her green thumb.
Jenny is survived by her daughters: Alice (Gary) Sielaff, of Albany, OR, Rita (Bill) Timm, of New London, WI, and Debbie (Wayland) Vance, of Caldwell, ID; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Jenny is preceded in death by her parents, John and Jennie (Custine) Serena; her son, Wade Kline; brother, Lawrence; and sisters: DeeDee, Doy and Dola.
The family sends special thanks to close friends Shelly and Juana, her grandson Jon, and Harrison Hope Hospice for their help and support.
A celebration of Jenny Lynn's life will be held Thursday, May 21st from 4-7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1015 N. Kimball Ave. Caldwell.

Robert L. Kline 1922-1993 is buried in Caldwell # 115306727
Her son Wade L. Kline is buried in Owyhee County # 113897627.
"Wade L. Kline, 63, of Marsing, died on Monday, July 15, 2013 at home of natural causes.
He was born September 10, 1949 to Robert and Jenny Lynn Kline in Nampa, Idaho. He attended schools at Knowlton Heights and Marsing.
In 1973 he married Debbie Walker; to this union a daughter and a son were born.
Wade worked for Simplot, Crookhams, and various farmers. In the early 70's Wade started his own business in the basement of his house "W.L. Kline Alternators and Starters" which operates today in Marsing.
He enjoyed driving in the Owyhee Mountains, fishing, gardening, and making wine. He was a Lion's Club member for many years and enjoyed the local community.
Wade is survived by his daughter, Marilyn Sargent (Don); son, Ben; mother, Jenny Lynn Bristow; grandchildren: Mikayla and Jaret Sargent; sisters: Alice Sielaff (Gary), Rita Timm (Bill), Debbie Vance (Wayland); half-brother, Raymond Kline (Debbie); half-sister, Kelly Babcock (Michael Sr.); and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; close friends (considered family), Toby and Jamie Meade, Joe and Judy Meade; and stepmother, Marion Kinsey.
Wade was preceded in death by wife, Debbie, and his father, Robert Kline.
Graveside service will be held at Marsing-Homedale Cemetery, Marsing, ID, on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 10:30 AM. "

JOY

Joy is buried in Caldwell # 149847722.
"Joy Bledsoe, 90, passed away of natural causes on July 21, 2015 in Nampa, Idaho.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Nampa 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1212 Amity Ave., Nampa. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell.
Ivanole Joy Ione (Serena) Bledsoe was born on March 10, 1925 in Bogue, Graham County, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her parents, John B. Serena and Jennie V. Custine Serena; her husband, Carlos E. Bledsoe; five siblings, Lawerence Serena, Dee Dee Serena, Dox Serranto, Dola Jones and Jennylynn Bristow.
She is survived by her three children, Larry D. Bledsoe, W. Dee Murphy and Lloyd A. Bledsoe; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joy spent her youth on family farms in Kansas, Colorado and Kuna, Idaho. She graduated from Kuna High School. She married Carlos Bledsoe in 1945. Before settling in Nampa in the early 1960's, the family lived in numerous locations in Idaho, Oregon and Missouri. While her children were young she was a stay-at-home mother and began working a career in her mid-30's. After working four years for the State of Idaho and graduating from Links Business College, she went to work in the office of a local potato processing company where she worked for the next 27 years.
Joy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her religious beliefs provided the guiding principles for her life. She was a quiet and shy woman, but was firm in the principles of hard work, integrity and providing service to others. She was a loving and caring mother and wife and tried to do her part to make life better for those around her. After a lengthy illness she was prepared and ready for death while she quietly passed away. "

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