St Louis my home.

I grew up at 2862 Texas in South St Louis. I lived with my family in a 2nd floor flat and downstairs was my great aunt Clara and my dad's mother grandma Holdenried (nee Cramer). I live in the St. Francis De Sales Parish which is where many of the Holdenried relatives grew up. My grand father Holdenried, who died before I was born owned a home just north of the lower playground. I remember playing at school knowing that my dad grew up in a house that I saw each day from my playground.

Just east of the school and the gym there was a old building that at one time was a dairy. That is where the Kramer's had their business. On Gravois just next to the church was another store that my grandpa had his store. It was a store I think they sold wall paper and rugs. The Holdenried Cleaners was only a block and 1/2 half from my home on Texas. My grandfather's brother Philip was a barber and had a shop just about 5 blocks from my home on Texas. The shop was not run as a barber shop for many years. Phillip was a great checkers player and played in many tournaments.

Peter Holdenried also live on Texas Ave about 10 blocks from my home on Texas. It was south of Cherokee Street near where Lutheran Hospital is now. One of the things that really bothered me when I moved up to St Joseph Missouri was the fact that my family was all around St Louis and I felt I was leaving my family behind. I guess that is why I work hard as a volunteer, I want to make St Joseph my new home.

Steve Holdenried