Bess Jackson: It’s still Christmas at ‘our house’

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX —  In years past, the Colfax Messenger has interviewed Bess Jackson and her late husband, Merlin, for a Veterans’ Day story and for a story when they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Last year, Bess graciously agreed to be interviewed for a Remembrances of Christmas Past feature.

At the time of the Veterans’ Day and wedding anniversary stories, Bess and Merlin were living in their home on University Avenue.

Last year, they were residents at the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Merlin Jackson died at the age of 95 on April 23, 2016.

In December of 2015, the Jacksons started a new Christmas tradition.

Before that, when they lived in their home on University Avenue, Christmas was always at Bess and Merlin’s house. They had the whole family, children and grandchildren, come to celebrate with them around the table in their home.

When Colfax Health and Rehab became their home, the Jacksons wanted to continue the tradition of having their family come to their table.

“There were 21 of us around the table last year. They set up a table for us in The Square (at Colfax Health and Rehab). We were all able to be together for Christmas,” Bess said.

Having their whole family with them, around the table to share a meal for Christmas, meant the world to Bess and Merlin.

“I’m expecting about the same number this year,” she said.

Most of Bess’s family live around Colfax or not too far away, and one granddaughter lives in the Twin Cities. 

“It will be fun. It was so nice last year. We had all of our loved ones around the table,” she said.

Bess smiled and got a twinkle in her eye.

“And I didn’t have to cook or clean up!” she exclaimed.

“And that’s what we are planning for this year, too,” Bess said.

“If you ever have to go to a nursing home, this is a fine place to go. They treat me so well,” she said.

Bess jokes that she has moved quite a long way, from 108 Park Drive, at the Sandy Ridge Apartments, to 110 Park Drive at Ridge Crest Manor, CHRC’s Community Based Residential Facility.

Bess has experienced some health problems over the past year, and it is best now, she says, for her not to live alone in an apartment.

Be that as it may, she has two of her prized possessions prominently displayed.

One is a ceramic Christmas tree that her mother made many years ago. The Christmas tree is set up on a table next to a photograph of her beloved husband, Merlin, in his Army uniform. 

Merlin served in the United States Army for 20 years. During World War II, he served in England as a B-17 mechanic. In the Korean war, he ran a supply depot. And in Vietnam, he worked on helicopters. He retired in 1967.

“We always had Christmas at our house. For years and and years and years. So last year we wanted to have Christmas at our house again,” Bess said. 

“We have Christmas memories, but we don’t have much for Thanksgiving memories. Everybody always went hunting. We never had a big Thanksgiving meal because of hunting. But Christmas we always had at our house,” she said.