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Zita grew up “well fixed” in the town of Rocky Ford, CO. When her family lost their footing due to bad investments and the great depression, they left behind their modern life. They traveled about 80 miles south to help her brother homestead, a journey that would have taken between 6-8 days.

Zita early 20s, Photographer unknown

In 1913, Zita accepted a teaching job at a one-room schoolhouse. She described it in an article she wrote, “The schoolroom was about ten by fifteen feet with two windows on the north side, one partly boarded up as the panes had been broken out and never replaced during the term. There were two doors on the south side with small panes in them. The dirt floor was not even smooth. ” Wintering at the Tobe School, Frontier Times, March 1981.

Zita’s school bell held by her namesake- 2019

A young man named Roy took a “special interest in her welfare” and rode twenty miles to ask Zita to apply for a teaching job at the Cobert school. The school was much closer to his homestead.

Cactus flowers on the ranch, 2019 / Zita’s necklace photographed on an old school book of hers / 1920s cloche

What remains of the Cobert school where Zita taught for $55/yr. Now only some of the cold room remains amongst a hundred years of oak brush and cedar growth.

Self- portrait wearing clothing found amongst Zita’s belongings

My ancestor's story

They were married in Trinidad, Colorado on August 2nd and had the wedding dance on August 5th, 1916. Their wedding announcement included an introduction of the couple including, “The groom is a worthy and industrious young farmer and has already a cozy home on his ranch, where the
newlyweds will at once go to housekeeping.”
Roy “Dick” and Zita’s marriage certificate.

Pearl Hat - 1920s cloche - Chicago

Her wedding dress in her home, 2019. Day of the wedding dance photo, 1916 photographed on dress.

The Richard Simmons box Zita’s wedding dress, shoes & stockings were found in.

Amongst the many hats (<50), there were three that were most likely not Zita’s including this Victorian top hat - 1880s-1890s. Since she was born in 1891 this probably was not hers but it was something she kept, maybe to remind her of someone else.

The Lone Oak post office built into a canyon wall where Duncan, CO once was. Zita wrote that while they were courting, Roy would stop here to pick up mail on his way to visit her at the Cobert school. The school is further down the canyon.

On the back of the photo is written:

“In RF (Rocky Ford) 1918 just before DD (Dorothy Deane) was born. ZPL (Zita Pauline Louden)”

Dorothy Deane is the eldest child and only daughter of Zita. I believe Zita had certain expectations for her daughter but Dorothy was a tomboy, preferring to work cows rather than be in the kitchen.
They never quite saw eye to eye.

Photographer unknown
1920s cloche

Zita’s daughter and my grandmother, Dorothy’s hands. 2006

One relative recalls “unladylike activities” were often first accepted for safety, like riding astride in split skirts or breeches. After an incident with a relative who was riding sidesaddle when her horse spooked and drug her, hurting her badly, it was decided it was time for a change.

Photo: R.D. Louden family L to R: Willard, Dorothy, R.D., Richard & Zita. Just uphill from headquarters. 1938 or 1939 Photographer unknown

1940s - NY Creation label, Buccaneer hat - Size 23

The final wild rose of the season. Family says that Roy dug up a wild rose bush for Zita. This same bush has taken over that section of the yard at the ranch headquarters where they lived their entire married life.

1940s hat / On the ranch

One of Zita’s grandaughters
remembers her as a very sharp-witted, very intelligent woman. A grandson recalled, “She could cut you to the quick and you didn’t realize you were bleeding.”

Early 1940s WWII, R.D. & Zita Louden with their eldest son, Richard, in his Air Force uniform.
Photo taken in front of the ranch headquarters.
Photographer unknown

1940s straw hat

I know Zita started her notes to Roy with “Dearest” and signed them “Lots of love”.

Postcard postmarked April 6, 1940

One of Zita’s grandsons asked if I found the diamond ring that she hid around the house for safekeeping. Last known hiding spot was a flour sack. She’s been dead 37 years and the ring is still hidden.

A ring found in Zita’s belongings (We don’t believe it’s the ring she kept hidden).

She smelled of lilac and her favorite color was purple, lavender specifically.

A hand colored photo of Zita at their front gate, on the back is written “An Easter morning about 1948”. Photographer unknown
1950s Hat from the Denver Dry Goods Company Size 23

Told through mementos,

Zita’s flower pin on dried plants she kept from a trip to Hawaii.

She was raised in the era of white gloves and a nice hat and was a consummate hostess. The Rocky Ford paper included a write up of a “Hollowe’en” party a young Zita organized at the Christian church where “…all voted Miss Zita a pleasing hostess.”.

Johnson pasture landscape, Branson area.

1960s - home decorated hat

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