Ryall, M. E. (2005, April, Volume 12, Issue 4). Senior baker extraordinaire. Washburn
County Senior Focus, p. 5.
SENIOR BAKER EXTRAORDINAIRE
By Mary Ellen Ryall
There are two apple trees growing outside the Minong Senior Citizens’
Center. This past October, I saw Ed Ludwig picking apples with a long apple-picking
device. I went over to see him and said, “I see you are picking the apples.” Ed
smiled and replied, “I am picking apples because one of the senior ladies is going to
bake me an apple pie.”
Becoming curious, I wanted to know who the pie baker was. On February 12, the center held
it’s Valentine’s party, and I sat next to Cathy Lewis. She had made Valentine
heart cookies with red jam centers for the event. Seeing one on my plate Cathy said,
“I made those cookies,” and I asked her, “Did you make Ed Ludwig an apple
pie this fall?” She said, “Oh yes, I love to bake and Ed likes my baking.”
On March 12, Cathy and I both attended the St. Patrick’s party at the center. For the
party, she brought homemade and colorful shamrock, Easter bunny and baby chick cookies.
And talking with Cathy, I had the opportunity to learn more about her passion for baking.
Cathy said, “I used to make big cookies, but someone said, give me small ones like
Christmas cookies.” Picking up a baby chick cookie in my hand, it broke and Cathy
said, “Sometimes they break and you have to do them over.” Quickly, I plopped
that one in my mouth. Tasty!
Asking her what kind of cookies they were, Cathy said, “Muerbetieg.” Not knowing
what the word meant, Cathy explained, “My step mother told me the German word means
butter cookies.” Being curious about the recipes she used, I asked her where she got
them. “There was an electric company in Milwaukee; every Christmas season the
Wisconsin Electric Power Company give out cookie cookbooks. I still am using some of the
cookbooks.” She continued, “In the 1950- 1960s, sometimes the electric company
didn’t put dates on the cookbooks, but I did.”
“When did you first start to bake?” I asked. Cathy replied, “The year I got
married.” “When did you get married?” I questioned. “In 1936,”
she continued, “My husband, Earl, was the winning salesman in a contest for Black
Eagle Oil Company. He sold oil and won a prize back then, and I got to pick out what I
wanted.” Curious as to what she choose as a prize, I asked her. Cathy proudly said,
“I picked a mixer.” She told me it was during The Great Depression, and she
could have had her choice of many fine gifts; however, this was a very good mixer, and she
wanted it.
Cathy reminisced, “We had cooking in school and we made pies but not cookies.”
She said her mother in law told her, “If you can’t afford butter than don’t
bake.” Cathy has spent a lifetime in baking and at 94 years old, she is a senior
baker extraordinaire. She gives the gift of her culinary arts to others and not only does
she bake cookies for parties at the senior center, Cathy also makes pies for that special
someone.
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 C.
Lewis proudly shows her wares.
Easter cookies.
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