
The Homes (Life at the Homes)
The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content.
Podcasting since 2021 • 25 episodes
The Homes (Life at the Homes)
Latest Episodes
Season 2: April of 1930
Welcome to April of 1930! While the first day of the month is full of light-hearted pranks, the mood turns more serious as President Hoover's first term is evaluated and the 1930 census kicks off. The world is changing -- whether it's demograph...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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48:43

Guest in the Homes: Rev. Larry Stumme
Join us for Guest in the Homes as we interview Rev. Larry Stumme, son of former Homes' superintendent Rev. Lawrence Stumme. Larry was 5 years old when his father accepted the call to the Homes and he shares his recollections and what made the H...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:00:46

Season 2: March of 1930
Welcome to March of 1930! March came in like a lion for the citizens of Muscatine and there was certainly a lot happening including news of the death of Mira Hershey. Ms. Hershey, daughter of lumber baron Benjamin Hershey, had generously ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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48:00

Guest in the Homes: Ron Klein
In a special episode of Guest in the Homes, we interview the Klein's grandson Ron Klein. Ron is a Professor Emeritus at Columbus State University in Georgia. His father was Rev. and Mrs. Klein's oldest son Herb. Ron shares his recollections of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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39:08

Season 2: February of 1930
Welcome to February of 1930! Wedding bells are ringing as the Klein's oldest son Herb gets married. The orphans celebrate Valentine's Day and receive special treats from a teacher and her class in Kansas and a friend of the Homes who made his V...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:34
