It does appear we are related. This is a very long story, and I am going to call my Aunt to confirm. My mother's (maiden name Betty Jean Mensik) father was Joseph Mensik. He and my mother's mother divorced when my mother was quite young. I am just learning about geneaology. I know my mother was born in Eatonville. I have been in touch with some of her cousins. My mother and father are both deceased. However, my mother had girl twins, Leslie Jo and Linda Jean (the Jo was after Joseph). My eldest daughter is named Tawnya Jo). I am just getting in touch at age 54 with some of my Mensik relatives.

I do know of an uncle that went to school in Chicago and was a Master Baker. He ended up in Tacoma and worked for Brown and Haley. My 90-year-old cousins (sharper than anybody I know) have said, "Well, I don't know if (Chicago Mensik) gave the recipe to Mr. Brown or Mr. Haley, but he did invent the recipe for Almond Rocha."

I make excellent homemade Almond Rocha, so maybe it is in my DNA.

Thank you for your reply. I will try to get more information. I am hungry to learn about my ancestor; I only met my maternal grandmother and grandfather once.

My eldest daughter just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, on December 23, 2010. His name is Teagan Leon.

My sister, Leslie Jo, died of lung cancer in March 2009. I am still grieving her, but strive to honor her memory by being a person who does what they say they are going to do and spreads kindness wherever I go.

Regards.

Laura Mensik Jastad Schwinler