The last year in Brørup I saw a girl, whom I betrayed when I moved to Gram. I did so, because here I met the grocers daughter, who betrayed me in my army days in 1951-52. It sort balanced, so to speak. I was quite happy in my army days. Particually when we went to the Danish commando in Izehoe in Germany. Here I really experienced joy of my violin. We established an army band and entertained every Saturday evening at a social gathering. We also entertained in Rensborg and Slesvig for Norweigan troops.
IMG: Christa and I met short time before starting our business.
After the demobilisation I continued at Steffensen in Gram. It was a time with motorbikes. Steffensen sold NSU, AJS and Matchless motorbikes. At that time we had purchasing permits, which was an opportunity to save at lot of money. I attended suppliers curses and becamed quite skilled in repairing motorbikes. I bought myself an older NSU 250, which I felt very happy about. I sold it later and bought a 500 cc Matchless 1937, which I used until 1958.
At that time I saw a girl, Else, who luckily cut me off or I would problably never had the chance to married Christa. During the summer 1956 I realized that I had to etablish my own business. I read an advert in the newspaper on shop premises for rent in Rødding. A voice from above told me that this was the moment to act. Immediately, I called and setup for at meeting. Then, Christa and I drove to Rødding and talked with the landlord, manufacture dealer I. C. Nørgård.
My father-in-law, Marius Schmidt, was introduced to my plans and he promised me all to be at his full disposal. He manufactured a new workbench and table for me and furnish shop and workshop. I still have the original lease signed with Dorette Nørgård, as I. C. was declared bankrupt. The lease for shop and workshop and appartment on 2nd floor was 1,500 Danish kroner annually. I opened my shop October 25, 1956. Bicycles, mopeds and motorbike repair. It was exciting.
IMG: The shop in Østergade, where I established business in 1956.
The first three months Christa was working at I. C. Manufaktur, but as I had great luck with the business we agreed that she should help in my shop instead. We succeeded. Now we felt appropiate to get married and we were married in Gram church April 7, 1957. We were happy and during summer we felt ready to have a baby. Bingo! Bente was born June 14, 1958, Helle in May 23, 1960 and Marianne June 25, 1964.
February 16, 1965 we bought our present home on Sdr. Alle 9 of Gerda Schmidt, daughter of deceased dentist Schmidt. The purchase price was 65,000 Danish kroner (approx. $3,300). We furnished the shop and built a new workshop. And then it happened again, Claus was born October 16, 1966.
IMG: We bought the previous post office and dentist property on Sdr. Alle 9 in 1965 for the tidy sum of 65,000 Danish kroner (approx $3,300). The post office stable was rebuilt to warehouse and the previous dentist clinic was rebuilt to a modern shop.
We had the shop in 37 years and October 25, 1993 we decided to close down and retire. Now we enjoy the life as retirees. At present time in 2005, all our children live in their own houses. Bente is married with Jens in Ålbæk. They have two children, Marianne and Joakim.
Helle is married to Svend and live in Broager. Helle has four children: Rasmus, Mikke, Marie and Sofie.
Marianne manage a drugstore in Horsens. She was married to Palle, who died way too early. They had two boys, Kenneth and Thomas. Claus, who lives in Copenhagen, is married to Ane and they are excited as Ane is to deliver in April.
In this way I remember pieces of my life. I will write again when I turn 100 years old.
February 15, 2005, Karl Jepsen