Marriage notice in paper-
‘Keeler-Childers - in Sacramento. May 10, 1926. to Claud Francis Keeler, 18, and Sophie Pearl Childers, 17; both of Bryte.’

Saturday, August 31, 2002

Phone conversation between Tricia Gage Hunstock and Sophia “Pearl” Childers

Pearl’s mother, Martha died when she was only 5 years old. She did not feel close to her grandparents or that side of the family. Pearl said, “ I got on the wrong side of my grandmother when I blurted out that I hate the name of Sophia.” Pearl was her grandma’s namesake and her grandma was NOT happy with that comment. She also said, “I remember grandfather mentioning that Woodland was full of Auwaters”. Pearl also saved the postcards that her grandmother from Burks Sanatorium sent to her Mom but has now given those to her niece, Martha Brindle Eberhardt Quingley now living in Goldendale, WA. Pearl felt that she was short, fat, ugly, and the black sheep. Her sister, Dollie was the one that was pretty with the brains. She did try to make family contact by writing Christmas cards to her Uncle Gus and Aunt Julia Auwärter but after 3 years of never hearing back, gave up. She felt that the family didn’t like her father and he didn’t like them. Actually when her grandparents died, her side of the family received nothing.
Pearl from time to time did communicate with Aunt Elsa. And Pearl with her daughter did attend Uncle Gus’s funeral in Sacramento in 1982, there has not been contact with Auwärter family for a long time.

Sophia “Pearl” Childers (530) 622-1292

Bernice Keeler (916) 486-8058

Tom Frates
3281 Rio Vista Way
Camino, CA 95709

Claudia Frates (916) 489-6631, 4767 Bowerwood Dr. Carmichael, CA

Martha Brindle Eberhardt Quingley
65 West Ponderosa Drive
Goldendale, WA 98620


Pearl Keeler and her daughter, Claudia, were delightful. Pearl, at 93 is as sharp as a tack - and very sweet to boot. She lives on her own in a mobile home on 23 acres in Camino, CA. She is an avid Rhododendron gardner. One of her daughter, Claudia's, sons lives very close and keeps an eye on her. Also Claudia lives close by (Sacramento) and comes once a week to take her shopping. I am so pleased that we have found them. It was great fun to see Daddy with 3 of his first cousins, Pearl, Libby and Gladys. -- September 15, 2002 Auwärter Reunion
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The only thing I can remember about my Grandfather Auwarter was when he gave me boiled potatoes with the jackets on them and poured cold milk on them. He said, Eat It ! ,It’s good for you.

Grandma had big pans of milk on her porch with the cream removed to make smeerkase ( curdled milk).

I think I was 5 years old when my mother died so I don’t remember much. The Auwarter home is still on the Van Fleck Ranch who bought the Auwarter Ranch.

My parents were Martha Auwarter  and Roy Childers. I was born October 13, 1908.

 I was married on May 10th  1926 in the Presbyterian Church in Sacramento to Claude Francis Keeler.

My Children are William Eugene Keeler (deceased) and Claudia Olive Frates.

My Grandchildren are Nancy Rose Thatcher, Diane Jean Sommer, Susan Marie Woodbury,

Timothy William Frates, Thomas Scott Frates and Kent Keeler Frates

I have four Great Grandchildren and four Great Great Grandchildren.

A home maker and gardener was my occupation.

When I was a child I enjoyed sewing and gardening. Now I enjoy growing rhododendrons and have at least 45 plants. I also have many azaleas and other flowering plants in my garden.

P.S. I also remember when there was a terrible thunder storm my Grandmother and Mother put me in her feather comforter so lighting wouldn’t touch me.

After my Mother died my Father’s Mother took me for two years until my Father remarried.   I enjoyed seeing Aunt Elsa in later years and corresponding with her. She was the only member of my mother’s family I had seen in years until I attended the reunion in your home.

Pearl Keeler.