The Bokrovits family came from Budapest, Hungary, in the 1950s. They were partially sponsored by the Presbyterian church.
They all worked hard in the Midwest and eventually prospered. The grandfather was not comfortable speaking English his favorite form of expression was his violin. The music was heartwarming-especially to a family so far from its roots.
Ida, the mother, had an Old-World style love of beautiful things. Surprisingly, she also fell in love with Elvis Presley and his music. So, along with gilded mirrors, lace, and crystal, she had Elvis Presley records
Perhaps Ida also admired the way Elvis loved his mother. The two teenaged Bokrovits sons remembered learning English.
The Presbyterian sponsoring family would touch the door and say “door.” Bit by bit the boys learned English, while their mother cleaned the house, cooked, or helped out in the home.
Louis was the older of the two sons and enjoyed track in high school. Life was good, but Louis always remembered being in concentration camps as a youngster, and there were certain foods he would not eat. At least one family member died as a result of the camps.
Louis was my cousin Sheila’s dad. We remember many good things about him. In my mind’s eye I still see him driving sleek cars-he loved convertibles. He also served this country in the army, which is also my branch of service. He was loved by all the family. He and his birth family lived through enormous changes; perhaps the wear-and-tear shortened their lives. Louis will always be special. He was my uncle.
Kevin Miller
Huffman, Texas
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
