Bethany Reformed Church
705 Cajon Street, Redlands CA  92373  (909)793-1966

  Getting to Know… 

Don and Frieda Jalving

Have you got a few minutes? You do? Well then I’d like to tell you a love story about a cute little elevator operator and a dashingly handsome bellhop; but to do that I’ll have to start at the very beginning.

It all began when a darling little baby girl, the youngest of six children, was born to Hannah, a loving wife and mother, and Henry Mouw, a farmer who liked to buy cattle and later owned a butcher shop. They all lived happily on a farm in Sioux Center, Iowa. Frieda had been born into a houseful of music and as they grew three of the girls started to sing together while doing the dishes. Later they would be known as the Mouw Family Trio. (Of course, we know them as Frieda, Dell, and Poodle) Frieda went to Sioux Center High School where she took up bookkeeping and typing. She was very active in all of the music groups in school and she also played the saxophone in the band. Frieda was in several school plays and always had the part of the child as she was so tiny. She also participated in gymnastics and cheerleading. 

            Now, the male lead in our story was born in Holland, Michigan to Elsie and Clarence Jalving. Donald was the fifth child of a family that eventually had eight children….seven boys and one girl! Don’s family was also musically inclined and he remembers singing his first solo at the age of 12, “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again”. Don also played the piano, sang in an acappella choir at Holland High School, and also in the church choir. His family loved golfing; his mother was a very good golfer, along with his sister, who regularly bested the men of the family. His father, a bank president, would close the bank at 3pm everyday and by 3:05pm he and Don would be out on the golf course, Don caddying for his dad. After high school Don attended Holland Business Institute to further his education.

            The Depression was not kind to many people and the Mouw family was no exception; they lost all they had. Frieda’s sister had married and moved to Holland, Michigan and invited the family to move there with the promise of a job for dad. So, in 1941 they headed east and that’s where our story really gets interesting.

Frieda had graduated and took a job as an elevator operator at the “Warm Friend Hotel” where she met the aforementioned handsome young bellhop. As part of his job Don would have to park the fancy cars of the hotel clients. He would take a little detour to Frieda’s house where he would toot his horn and she would come running out to claim a few smooches before he had to race over to the garage to park the car. Frieda told me that she spent her whole first paycheck on clothes, all two weeks worth, $13.  She had a man to impress! 

All was not happiness as World War II was still ongoing and Don signed up for the Army Air Force as an aviation cadet in 1944. He was hoping to become a pilot but the war was winding down by then and he ended up working as a mechanic on airplanes and then in an office. An interesting aside: of the eight children in his family six of them were in the service at the same time! He was discharged in 1945. By then Frieda was working at her brother-in-laws photo studio where she tinted photos and was a hat model. Conveniently, Don found a job at a jewelry store right across the street. Music was still a big part of both of their lives and Don would accompany the Mouw Family Trio on the piano often when they sang. After five years of dating they married in 1947 and celebrated 61 years of marital harmony this year.

            Don and Frieda moved to Detroit in 1953 because Don’s brother, a banker, got him a job at the National Bank of Detroit. Frieda started working in the stocks and bonds department at the same bank. Their first son, Mark, had been born in 1949 and a brother was to join him in 1956. However, Mark had a very bad asthma attack and the doctors told them to move to a warm dry climate. When Frieda was seven months pregnant, they moved to Redlands, California; Frieda’s family was already here. Donnie was born two months later. Don continued to work in the banking business in CA, mostly in this area. He worked in five different banks in 35 years, the last being as Vice President and manager of The Bank of Redlands in Yucaipa. Frieda worked at the JC Penney store on State St. for nine years as a cashier and for 12 years as a travel agent/escort/office clerk at Clauson Tours.

            Over the years Don has always enjoyed golfing; in fact, during 70 years of playing he has had 10 holes in one! They both still love music although neither sings solos anymore. Frieda said the Mouw Trio sang their last performance at a Mother/daughter dinner in 1999 and Don sang his last solo during the summer of 2005, both here at Bethany. They continue to love to read and agree that their grandchildren, Megan, Mark and Kitty’s daughter, and  DJ, Natalie, and Gerrit, Donnie and Kelly’s children, keep them young. Frieda also enjoys all kinds of needle work, crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

            Their parents were the greatest influences in their lives. Frieda says that her mom was a very wise, humble and kind person. Don’s career was helped by his father’s influence as a banker. They feel that their lives are their witness to their children and grandchildren. Having a family involved in the life of the church had a great impact on their boys as they were growing up. Don’s favorite Bible verse is Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”  Frieda’s choice is Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.” Bethany was the church they joined after moving to California and they have been here ever since. Don was the choir director from 1962-67, he was on the music committee for many years and was an Elder twice. Frieda participated in many of the women’s groups.

As they look over the past, their friendships within Bethany are fondly remembered; playing bridge and pinochle together was especially fun. They love and enjoy their Bethany family.

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