I did not understand
when I married Kristie the effects genetics would have on our marriage and
family. I was only slightly aware of the
"Wheeler curse" which was how the Neilson's referred to the
early-onset Alzheimer's gene which ran in the family and was inherited through
the Wheeler ancestral line. But they
never talked about the dominate "rabbit ears" gene which also seems
to be a part of their family makeup. Those
inheriting this gene have a tendency to bring humor into what would otherwise
be normal, humdrum situations. It manifests
itself in unusual and bizarre ways, such as when photographs are taken and
those afflicted with this gene feel compelled to insert "rabbit ears"
behind those being photographed. Another manifestation was my father-in-law
often gobbling like a turkey, particularly around small children. This was a skill in which he seemed to take
great pride and pleasure.
There is no
doubt that Kristie inherited this gene as the photos below will show. There is also no doubt that this is a
dominate and not a recessive gene. This
is very evident because while no one would ever be surprised by George Neilson's
sense and use of slapstick humor, it is difficult if not impossible to imagine
Marjorie Neilson gobbling as a turkey or holding up rabbit ears behind a good
friend or family member being photographed.
As further
evidence indicating this is a dominate gene, I would submit the Goates family
has a long, boring, and stodgy tradition of not doing such things. My father's twin brother raised literally tens
of thousands of turkeys, but I do not ever recall him or his children actually gobbling. I really question whether any of my ancestors
has ever done such a thing, or in fact even thought of doing something like
this. I would be absolutely amazed if
someone could find a photo (or even a portrait, like say from the 14th or 15th
century) of a Goates crowning someone with rabbit ears.
As is the
case with dominate genes, it has been passed on to our daughters which these photos clearly
show, and evidently at least one of our son-in-laws has his own inherited
problems in this regard. Sadly, this
gene can also spread like a bad case of the flu to some with weak immune
systems who did not inherit it, which is the only explanation for the pictures which
are included of me. Of course I say all of this with a slight sense of humor because - well that is all I inherited was a very slight sense of humor.
All of this
becomes more clear as I reflect on the influence this dominate Neilson gene has
had on my life since marrying Kristie, and its marked absence with her decline. Life certainly can be difficult and trying at
times, and in the midst of our daily struggles there is something quite
refreshing and powerful when someone can make us laugh and seemingly lighten the
load we are carrying with a little humor. These pictures are a reminder of
how life can be more fun and interesting with someone having the "rabbit
ear" gene.
They were married for time and all eternity on June 1, 1973, and lived in Idaho, Oregon, and Michigan. She is survived by her husband; mother; daughters-
Bryn (Zachary) Grisham and Bree (Collin Bradford) Goates; brothers - Erik, Jon
(Sherry), and Kjel (Kitti) Neilson; sisters - Karla (Nick) Boren, Lisa Neilson,
and Marta Neilson; and four grand children.
