Growing up on the farm in the 1950s
Gary Hedstrom of Owatonna is releasing a new book next week called, “Small Town Minnesota Farm Boy.” It will be the second book he has written with the first one shown on the left being done in 1976. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
After almost a half century hiatus, Gary Hedstrom of Owatonna is back at writing books again.
Hedstrom, 75, is releasing his newest book, “Small Town Minnesota Farm Boy,” next week. The book is a narrative woven through the stories of people from the area of where he grew up in western Minnesota. “Local developments, cultural norms and commonly held beliefs are spoken of in a relaxed manner—as if I were talking across the table to the reader,” he said.
His first attempt at writing took place in 1976 when he published the book, “A Blossom on the Prairie.” And, sorry Blooming Prairie, it wasn’t about the much-acclaimed Awesome Blossoms. Instead, it focused on the history of Herman, Minn., through 1900.
While Hedstrom admits he’s somewhat rusty after 48 years of writing the first book, he has been thinking about composing the new book for more than a decade. He began writing the latest book in February.
Hedstrom’s wife, Karen, chuckles about the dedication he has put in to finish the book. She said she recently had to go to an Owatonna Huskies football game by herself because he had to stay home and work on his book.
“In a nutshell, it’s a personal history/memoir, with a backdrop of both local and national historic events and context from preceding decades,” said Hedstrom, who operated his own insurance company in Owatonna for 34 years before retiring in 2016. “I’ve attempted to clearly describe the work intensive lives of our generation’s immigrant ancestors and chronicle the effects of two world wars, The Great Depression and the mechanization of farming in rural areas.”
Hedstrom describes his writing style as “a real relaxed fashion.” He shares how he grew up in a much simpler time when life wasn’t so hectic like it’s today. “I wrote it mostly for people of my generation. A lot of people will be able to relate,” he said, adding life wasn’t so stressful back in the 1950s and 60s.
Though there is nothing local in the book pertaining to Steele County, Hedstrom said the stories are interchangeable. “A farm kid growing up in Steele County or Grant County where I grew up isn’t any different,” he said. “I want it to have a relaxing feel for people to identify with a simpler time in life and remember their years growing up.”
He also hopes the book will inspire others of his generation to write down things for their own family’s sake.
Asked about his process for writing the book, Hedstrom smiled and said, “I’m electronically challenged.” He added after writing it out long hand, his wife typed it up for him.
Hedstrom hired a ghost writer to help with copy editing, which he said “enriched the book and made it better quality.”
The book is available for $25. “I don’t really care if I make money,” Hedstrom said, quickly adding he’s hoping he doesn’t lose money.
Hedstrom will have a presentation and book signing on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Owatonna Public Library.
He also plans to return to his home area to sell books this fall.