The celebration of Mother’s Day began in the United States in the early 20th century.
In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers.
Estelle Leuthold, Hills, will celebrate Mother’s Day with her eight children, 20 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren in Jacobson Park in Hills.
Her children are Sandy Feucht, Hills; Jerry Leuthold, Minneapolis; Pam Bosch, Brandon; Lois, Alan and Dennis Leuthold, Hills; Stuart Leuthold, Lester, Iowa; and Missy Bass, Hills.
Estelle was born on a farm north of Larchwood, Iowa, to John and Rose Moser. She had 12 siblings of whom five are still living.
“Mom taught us how to cook, can, bake and clean house,” Estelle said.
“My mom would sweep the floors three times a day.”
But she also recalled that her mother taught them to appreciate family.
“Mom took time for her children,” Estelle said. “She would make lunches and we would go on picnics.”
Estelle was married to Alvin Leuthold Dec. 20, 1916.
“My mother made my wedding dress without a pattern,” Estelle said.
Alvin died Oct. 30, 1993, at the age of 73.
Today Estelle enjoys making pillowcase dresses for her church, the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester. The dresses are sent to the World Relief Fund.
“I learned to sew from my sister, Ione DeHaan,” Estelle said. “I have a number of comforters, too, which I really enjoy.”
In addition to sewing, she also enjoys gardening.
Estelle shared some words of wisdom she has learned in her years of motherhood.
“I have made a lot of mistakes,” she said.
“I always made sure my children knew how to cook. My mother, Rose, was a good mother and I loved her very much and I still miss her.”