8 June 2025

There are many in The Hermitage who have been pondering this day for some time now. Memories of the years have been rattling through our brains. Writer has decided to put a few memories out there for those of you who might be interested in those who live in The Hermitage and where they came from.

Queen was born in Torrance, California to a Joanna Roth. She had been married for 6 months and her husband told her she would not be keeping “that baby.” The doctor “delivered” Queen to her parents, Robert andJolette Gunderson, in his brand new 1955 Thunderbird. Yeah, that’s fun.

She lived in Los Angeles for 10 months before they moved to a territory of the US…Oahu, Hawaii. She lived in Kailua, and Lanikai for 8 years, living in three houses and going to two different elementary schools, plus one in Torrance for half the year. She wasn’t required to wear shoes to school. Gardener LOVED living here with all the tropical plants. Athlete learned to swim before three years of age, having walked the .8 miles to the beach from the house, alone, and a policeman bringing her home. There are MANY, MANY memories of living here. Some are wonderful, some not so wonderful.

In 1964 Queen left Hawaii and moved to Albuquerque,New Mexico—three houses and three schools. Hippophile had been anticipating riding a horse to school, as Movie Buff seemed to think that it was a “western” town with cowboys and Indians. Oddly enough two of the schools attended were only a few blocks away, and she walked every day. When they moved up to Cedar Crest she rode the bus. The Queen Mum bought a piano, and Pianist found something that would give her solace in her erratic life, and continues to do so. While she is NO professional, she taught herself to play, and it brings her peace. Ophiophilist learned about snakes from her 5th grade math teacher, much to the chagrin of the Queen Mum, who wasn’t even mildly impressed. Weather Girl saw snow for the first time! That is a story in itself. Seamstress started sewing. Three houses, three schools. Many memories living here and MUCH left out.

In 1966 Queen moved to San Diego for a year. She has many memories of being dropped off with her brother at Balboa Park or the beach for the day. Traipsing about Balboa Park at the San Diego zoo alone with her little brother, Zoophile had the time of her life! This was “THE LIFE” and how she pictures heaven! One house, one school. Many memories of living here.

In 1967 Queen moved to Torrance for a year. The King Dad had decided to purchase a 9-hole golf course and driving range. A L O N G story. However, almost every day after school, Athlete would walk the mile home from school, get her little brother, and together they would walk the 3 miles to the golf course where she would drive the cart to pick up the balls on the driving range, put the balls in the washer, then the baskets, AND THEN could play a round of golf. YES! Those on the driving range did aim at the cart…and yes, the cart was hit numerous times. Seamstress was making her own clothes for school. One house, one school. Many memories of living here.

In 1968 Queen moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, which is beautiful! We lived off of 22 ½ Rd. meaning we lived 22 ½ miles from theUtah/Colorado border. Out in the sticks and about ½ a mile from the Colorado River. This is where the story of the “up close and personal visit with a bison” comes into reality. The crazy things a 13 year old will do…and her little brother follows right behind her. Disciple started attending seminary in the mornings before school. We only lived in one house here, but the school boundaries changed and so Scholar went to two different schools. Wild, crazy, eventful and disastrous memories here.

1970 took Queen back to Albuquerque. Another somewhat disastrous year. Queen ran away. We were all grounded for life by the Queen Mum. Another rough year. Musician went to her first concert at UNM…and saw War. Athlete rode her bike miles a day with a couple of other friends. One house, one school. Many sordid, crazy, wild memories.

1971 took Queen to Malibou Lake. The lake is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains between Paramount Ranch and Century Ranch. She was in heaven here. The house was right on the lake, there were small wild animals that would visit, and it was like camping every day! THIS was the life. It was beautiful. SO many incredible memories here. One house, one school, and Scholar graduated 15 June 1973. No fanfare, no photos, she just walked across the stage out on the football field, and that was it. Our hearts broke at the news of the fires some years ago. Several of the lake homes burnt to the ground. SO MANY incredible memories here.

1975 Queen married. In fact it was 7.5.75. This was not the original plan for ANY of us, however, well, another LONG story…The King was stationed in Wichita Falls, TX, and so off we went. Another LONG story…Texas was HOT and HUMID, BUT we did get snow which people said was the first time in decades.

1976 took Queen to Las Vegas. As we came over the hill on Boulder Highway and could see Vegas off in the distance, we had NO IDEA what was in store for us. Vegas was small then, with a population of just under 150,000 people. Life was simple. Vegas was simple. AND then the “CONES” cameout. They have been out ever since!

1977 in May, Queen gave birth to her first child at Nellis AFB! A boy, 9 pounds 1 ounce. Then in October we moved into our firsthouse.

1979, also in May, Queen welcomed her first daughter, 8 pounds 11 ounces.

1981 in April, Queen welcomed her second daughter, 9 pounds 1 ounce.

1983 in January, Queen welcomed her second son, 8 pounds 6 ounces.

Life from that time on is a HUGE tornado of memories…NOT that the first 28 weren’t. The memories are incredible, fascinating, heartbreaking, unbelievable, challenging, disastrous, sometimes fun, sometimes not, ETC. We grew up with AWESOME music, cars, houses, outdoor games, and of course hopes, dreams, and ETC. Definitely for another story. All of it is logged into decades of journals going back to 1967.

What a life.

So, as all of us in The Hermitage look back on 70 years of memories...Some included here, and those not included, we cherish life. Life has been full. Life and experiences have taught us much. OH how we cherish life and the experiences. They have made us who we are. We cherish what we have. We are SO blessed! We have seen, and continue to see God’s hand in our life every day. We’ve learned what is MOST important in life and we’ve learned what doesn’t matter.

Happy birthday Debbie!!! Thanks for sharing your birthday with me for 70 years!!! I love you!