by Larry C. Klos (Author)
The book presents the life story of a 95 year old house in southeastern Montana that the author's grandparents built and in which his brother and family still live. In this book it is referred to as "The Klos Family House". Since the author's parents and contemporaries who might remember the house and the times are nearly all deceased, the narrative builds upon the memories of the author and friends, relatives, neighbors, and siblings. The story begins with German immigrants homesteading to improve their lives in southeastern Montana during a string of wet years in the early 1900's. It continues through the drought and depression of subsequent years that bankrupted many settlers. The story follows three generations of the Klos family as they successively fight to succeed and as they gradually enlarge the Klos Family House. Now, with the third generation, the original house has been totally surrounded by expansions on all four sides. The house itself narrates the story of its initial construction and growth and of events that occurred or were discussed within its walls. Additional interleaved chapters provide supporting information and related perspectives as time and modern technology changed life in rural Montana.
Author Biography
Larry Klos is a retired engineering manager who worked for more than 40 years in the aerospace industry. Because life is more than work, Larry decided to share stories of his life, experiences, and imaginings with a broader public. Although he has been writing professionally and as an avocation for many years, his current works are the first which have been published and are readily available. Larry grew up on a farm in rural Montana and his wife Elaine grew up in a row home in Philadelphia, but despite disparate backgrounds they have a common value system and, with two children, six grandchildren and a series of dogs, have lived in Texas for more than 40 years. Although retired, they remain active in the community and are now channeling their energies towards helping the less fortunate and, as with Larry's stories, sharing interesting and enjoyable aspects of their thoughts and history with others. Works produced to date include both fiction and nonfiction books.