Oscar and Dorothy Von Burg
Uncle Oscar Von Burg and Aunt Dorothy Von Burg nee Mosblech were my grandparents’ closest friends. Grandma Ellis and Aunt Dorothy were sisters separated in age by about a year and a half. Grandpa Ellis and Uncle Oscar became close friends when they were dating the sisters. Neither Uncle Oscar nor Grandpa danced, so they would escort Grandma and Aunt Dorothy to the Casa Loma Ballroom. While the sisters danced, Grandpa and Uncle Oscar sat outside talking. They would become good friends and hunting/fishing buddies.
Uncle Oscar, who was born on February 24, 1915, married Aunt Dorothy on May 29, 1937. Aunt Dorothy was slightly older than Uncle Oscar as she was born on August 20, 1914. They lived with Uncle Oscar’s parents, Jacob and Margaret Von Burg, for a few years after their marriage.
Oscar Von Burg with a Big Catch
Uncle Oscar worked for a medical supply company, where I think that he eventually became a vice president. I know that he patented a piece of medical equipment and deferred the money until his retirement. He told Grandpa that the money from the patent would take care of Aunt Dorothy long after he was gone. Uncle Oscar did not know how prophetic those words would be.
Aunt Dorothy loved to play cards. I remember that she was always dressed immaculately. Like Grandma, I don’t believe that she ever swam but she loved to ride in their pontoon boat. She and Grandma talked just about every day. One of the things that we thought was neat was that Aunt Dorothy had an intercom system in their house by Suson Park, which allowed them to talk to each other in different parts of the house.
Uncle Oscar’s father Jacob lived with them. Jacob was a very skilled carpenter. He built my sisters and me a replica kitchen out of wood that was still in its original condition twenty years later. At some point, Jacob had neck surgery and could only speak by using one of the electronic assist devices that he put up to his neck to activate his vocal chords.
Uncle Oscar and Aunt Dorothy bought a lake house at Lake Tishomingo. Grandpa Ellis bought a lake lot a few years later. When Uncle Oscar retired, they were making plans to spend a lot of time at the lake together. Unfortunately, Uncle Oscar died unexpectedly on June 19, 1978 at the too young age of 63. Grandma said it was the first time she saw my Grandpa cry. Grandpa probably worked two more years because of Uncle Oscar’s untimely death.
Grandma and Grandpa continued to do things with Aunt Dorothy at the lake. Aunt Dorothy would occasionally play cards but most often Grandma and Aunt Dorothy would sit and chat. When Grandma Ellis passed away in 1991, Grandpa Ellis would take Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Betty, one of Grandma’s other sisters, to their doctor’s appointments.
Aunt Dorothy would survived Uncle Oscar by almost 21 years exactly as she passed on June 23, 1999 at 84 years of age. They are both laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery. Grandpa was the last surviving member of the awesome foursome. He passed away in 2001.
Uncle Oscar and Aunt Dorothy Von Burg are gone but not forgotten.
