For more than 60 years, Martha Lundhigh has kept the home fires burning for her husband, World War II veteran Dale Lundhigh. Martha and Dale became engaged during the war. On Nov. 23, the Lundhighs will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Dale served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, a key battle in the war. The battle stretched over six harsh winter weeks beginning Dec. 16, 1944, and ending with an Allied victory Jan. 25, 1945. Dale recounts his years with the 90th Infantry Division in his book, “Show Me the Hero” (AuthorHouse, 2009, $14.49).
Veterans Day has special meaning for the entire Lundhigh family, which includes two grown daughters, three grandchildren and an 8-month-old great-grandson.
Martha’s cooking continues to be a taste of home for Dale and their family.
“Our grandkids like to come over for any meal they can. Even though my food requests sometimes fall in line behind theirs, we wouldn’t have it any other way,” Dale says. “Martha is a great cook and as I said in the dedication page of my book to her, ‘Thanks for waiting.’ ”
Residence: Overland Park
Occupation: Homemaker
Special cooking interest: Down-home foods
What does Veterans Day mean to you? I am so proud of Dale and all the veterans who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. In the letters Dale would write me when he was a solider, he would tell me some of what was happening, but I never knew exactly where he was. It was such a relief when Dale came home after fighting in World War II. The food he missed most was eggs, and to this day, he can’t stand orange marmalade because it was a staple in his K rations. When Dale returned from war, he says he especially liked my mother’s chicken dinners.
Did you learn to cook from your mother? Dale and I grew up about eight miles away from each other in southwestern Iowa. I was the youngest of five, and Dale was the oldest of five. Of course, I would watch my mother work in the kitchen. But Dale’s mother, Faustess Lundhigh, taught me how to cook and bake many of the Danish foods Dale grew up with and liked. She let me cook alongside her. This peppernut cookie recipe is an old family recipe from Dale’s grandmother in Denmark and is a traditional holiday cookie. It’s not hard to make but takes time. These cookies just taste like Christmas to me.
In the past 60 years, how has your cooking changed? I still like to make simple meals, like chicken with homemade noodles, but I am trying to use healthier ingredients. Dale had a heart attack 20 years ago, so I use canola oil instead of solid vegetable shortening and less salt in my cooking. Basically, the meals I make have meat, a vegetable, salad and a dessert at the end. I think you have to have something sweet at the end of every meal, whether it’s a piece of pie, cake or a cookie.
Every week is “Tuesdays With Martha,” where family members spend special time with you. How important has this tradition become? When the grandkids stop over to the house, the first place they head is to the kitchen. It’s a good feeling that they feel at home enough to go right to the refrigerator. Dale says he’s not one to turn his back on good food, and even though he doesn’t help me cook in the kitchen, he does help me clear dishes. When Dale and I started out, we didn’t have any money, but we had each other. We have been working together ever since.
| Mary G. Pepitone is a freelance writer who lives in Leawood. She also writes a nationally syndicated home column. E-mail her at pepi@kc.rr.com to nominate a cook.
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