Empty Nest, 1965-1971

As the years progressed, the two boys grew. The eldest, Chuck graduated with honors, as valedictorian, from Saginaw High School in 1965, bound for the University of Michigan. The younger one followed, graduating in 1967, bounded for Central Michigan University. Four years later, Chuck was a law student at Yale University and Jim was earning masters degrees and working as a teacher.

For Al and Winnie, life was slowing down. The house was empty of children. Expenses, never a major issue, but still a problem, were now minor for two who spent little. Life was quiet and serene. Al decided to sell the house they had lived in since 1949 and build again. The new one would be the "ideal" house for his love. The Creekwood house was a ranch, with no basement, as Winnie now had severe arthritis. It was an all electric house, keeping with Al's orientation. It had nearly an acre of land and was Al's delight.

The two of them moved in in 1971 and sold the old house immediately.