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Author: Jane Kirkpatrick | Website

Jane grew up near Mondovi, Wisconsin, a little town not far from the Mississippi River. Her older sister Judy (now deceased) and younger brother Craig helped on the family dairy farm. Dozens of cousins lived within 50 miles providing the privilege of extended family memories. Most of the "Rutschow" clan remained in the Wisconsin-Minnesota area. Jane moved to Oregon in 1974 after completing her master's degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She worked in the disabilities field and became the director of the mental health program in Deschutes County and the first female president of the Oregon Community Mental Health Director's Association.



Published Works & Book Reviews

Where Lilacs Still Bloom

One woman, an impossible dream, and the faith it took to see it through.

German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education—and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.

Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference?

Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart.

“Beauty matters… it does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.”

Reviewer: Barb
Review: Apr 17, 2012
Genre(s): Vintage, Historical Fiction
Jane Kirkpatrick has written a great novel. I just fiished "Where Lilacs Still Bloom" and was so sad that I had finished the book. I loved this characterization of Hulda Klager and her family's story. Hulda was an inspiration to all who have a dream and despite sorrows and setbacks, continue to work and plan to be able to fulfill this dream of hybridizing beautiful lilacs (a favorite of mine). At first I

The Daughter's Walk

Based on a true story of a mother and daughter's historic walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City in 1896 in an effort to save the family farm. Clara, the daughter, tells this story of family disappointment and betrayal, love and loss as she breaks from her traditional Norwegian family. On her journey, she discovers what family truly means and why it is a word that comes to us from the Latin Famalus meaning "servant." It's a story of family schism, reconcilliation and grace.

Reviewer: Mrs Brooks
Review: Jun 30, 2011
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
All I can say is WOW! This book surprised! I have never read any of Jane Kirkpatrick's books and after reading this one I would LOVE to read some of her other books! The Daughter's Walk is based on a true story of a family trying to save a family farm. The Mother and her 19 year old daughter walk to try to earn 10K to save the farm. But lots of stuff happens and I do not want to give too much away. Here is

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