New York Mills brothers still can't thank their 104-year old teacher enough

When Pearl Jensen started teaching, we were just coming out of the depression. Times were tough. Her starting pay was 35-dollars a month. Today, from her room at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls, Pearl waited for a visit from two students she had in country school back then.

Pearl: “I had them in school.”

This afternoon, as they do every year, 86-year old Harley Windels and his 82-year old brother Harold of New York Mills, drove an hour to bring the Valentine to their country school teacher they just can't forget.

HARLEY WINDELS - Pearl's Student: “The first four years you go to school are the most formative and she was a good teacher.”

Nearly 80 years after sitting in that one room school, the old boys still have clear memories of those days.

Harley: “It has been a long time since I had to listen to you. Strict, but when you think about it now, that is the way it should be.”

Harold: “Strict, honest and she played no favorites.”

And so that is why today, they came to see Pearl to give her this Snoopy Valentine's Day card.

Harold reading card: “For a special teacher, you are nice, you are fun you are all heart too.”

With a heartfelt message inside, these are school pictures from Harley and Harold from District 220.

Pearl and her siblings went to this country school which still stands. Longevity is in the blood. Pearl's two sisters were teachers too. One is 99 the other 93. They all came today to see this touching Valentines Day visit. Years after leaving the one room school, Harold and Harley returned again to thank the lady who gave them both a start.

Pearl never married. Her students were her family. Today, that was easy to see. 86-year old Harley recalls he only had to stay after school once for horsing around. He never got in trouble a second time.

Tags: reporter stories, kevin wallevand, fergus falls, new york mills, k-12 education, family, windels, jensen