Resident of the Month
Yetta Irwin
Residing at McPherson Care Center
When Yetta Irwin came to live at McPherson Care Center in 2006, she brought with her fame and notoriety.
Born in 1909, Yetta has lived her entire life in McPherson, Kansas growing up as the daughter of Vaudeville parents. Her father Cloyd Harrison was a trick cyclist, self taught, made his own trick bicycles and unicycles while working for a man who repaired bicycles. Finding his talent and now performing routinely he met and married Floy and started their family, first a son Gordon then Yetta. At 5 weeks of age, Yetta was taken on the road growing up touring the United States, Canada and Mexico, performing trick cycle acts with mother, father and brother, Yetta's first performance was at the ripe old age of 3!. Yetta said that sometimes she wonders how she never managed to get hurt as she would climb on her brother's shoulders while he was on the cycle and put her hands over his eyes. The only injury Yetta ever received through out her career was a slightly skinned knee.
Yetta's parents knew the value of education and made sure that their children graduated high school. Yetta would be sent home by train to McPherson each fall to live with Grandmother while she went to school. Yetta lived in this house until she came to McPherson Care Center. Graduating from McPherson High School in 1928. Yetta went to two years of College in McPherson but decided to join her father on the road when her mother decided to retire. She and her father were billed as "The Harrison Duo", where they promised their audiences "showmanship, talent, experience, ability and personality." Between bookings Yetta and and her father spent time in big cities where they dined, shopped and attend the theater. In Watertown, NY Yetta first met her husband Bill Irwin, but he was engaged to another girl. By the time she left town she says "he wasn't engaged anymore". Even so it was three years before they saw each other again when he left his parent's act and came to Kansas to Yetta's home. Yetta wasn't there at the time, but her mother was and he just walked right up to the front door and said "I'm Bill", my mother said, "Come on in." and he never left. Mother wired me and told me he was there and I immediately responded with a wire of my own, "Hold him there, We'll be home in three weeks." Yetta still has that telegram. After marriage in 1936, Bill joined the troupe and they became the Harrison- Irwin Troupe. In 1937 Yetta's son Gordon, named after her brother was born.
In family tradition "Gordie" joined the group and the first three generation trick cyclist team was off and running. Yetta's son Gordie passed away last April 2006 but held the world record of being the youngest trick cyclist at the age of 20 months performing right here in McPherson's All Schools Day annual parade. Yetta hand sewed all of the families costumes putting all of the intricate details neatly into place, she also had a doll collection which she also sewed clothing for. After performing for 37 years that didn't mean retirement, Yetta was actively involved in the American Legion, and a life time member she has spoke for civic clubs, schools and church groups. You can see Yetta's cycles and costumes right here at the McPherson Museum. Everywhere Yetta goes in the community someone still recognizes her and talks of the vaudeville days and you see the most brilliant eyes sparkle and she smiles and nods remembering the wonderful life she led. Yetta has been honored time and again for her achievements and today we at McPherson care center are honored to provide her with the comfort and care that respects this wonderful woman and all of her life accomplishments.
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Copyright © 2006 Deseret Health Group
Copyright © 2006 Deseret Health Group