Wanda Witch

Please let's hear from somebody in the Nothwest! That is a command.

Easter Greetings

Betty's Wedding Plans

The Regency on Laurie Lane

September 15, 1985

Dear "L" -

Just a brief note to let you know that we presently are holding space (tickets not in hand) on Alaska Airlines to make a jaunt up your way for Betty's wedding.

Present plans call for us arriving at Seatac on November 21, Flight #185, arriving at 4:20 PM.

Departure date is November 30. Flight 184 leaving Setac at 12:15 noon.

We want to know if these dates will be OK. Marie would like to arrive a few days (two) early to be of any assistance she can.

Marie's notes: I can function pretty well as "second girl" on last details. Also I'd like to be dunned for part of the expense of the foods, etc.

Any ideas on an apprropriate wedding gift for a couple who have everything?

Anything we should bring? Pic & Save, Price Club, Marshalls - here we come!

In the week following the wedding we should just relax, get things back in order, and take life as it comes. Should we be brave enough to start a tulip quilt? I copied the quilt pattern before it got away. Or maybe we should check out any old family pictures or records and see what we have?

We're trying to put together a week-long trip to Nebraska. The old "Durand Gang" is having a runion Sept 27 and 28 and with an invitation we've been trying to work around those dates to settle up the matters re Martin. Many phone calls and red tape have already been encumbrances.

Must quit now and get ready to take Bob to the airport. We've really enjoyed his stay. Hear the tape for more details.

Love,

Frank & Marie

The Great Salt Lake seems a bit far north...

Tacoma Altrusa Club Scholarship: Charlotte Johnson

Pickeld Beats

Rathering Discouraging Report

(click to enlarge)

Salk Polio Vaccine: Jill

It was impossible to reason with your mother in any way

I could send Marian C.O.D. for you.

1981 - Monday

Hi Dad & Mom -

Happy Memorial Day...or is Memorial Day supposed to be happy. Not with this rain, it ain't. We went swimming, indoors, of course. Anna & Elisabeth showed off their new skills to Stan & Marian spent the hour trying to climb whatever "tree" was handy. Mostly me.

Anna is in seventh heaven because a new boy moved in down the street. He even called her today. Twelve more years of this will drive me crazy.

I'm writing to ask you to measure the diameter of your blue coat, and also the back length.

Or I should say, I need to know what diameter you want the new one since you're so skinny now and also the back length you prefer - I know you want it longer. Maybe you'll get it by father's day.

I presume Minne & Bill are back. Ah envy. Do you miss Benson, Dad? I could send Marian C.O.D. for you. Hell, I'd even prepay the freight. And she is housebroken now too. Just say the word...

Only 12 more dys, huh, Ma... Anna's counting, too - I'm surprised that she's sick of school already. Are you having a party?

What time on the 18th are you getting back from Alaska? I've been looking at our summer plans - will you take the girls Aug 3-7 and the weekend on either end? We're going to a workshop at Cal-Poly in San Luis Obispo. Depending on our monetary situation, we'de like to see San Francisco on the way down and LA on the way back. What I was wondering at the beginning of this paragraph is - do you maybe want to plan the Ocan trip the week of the 19th? We have the Burkhalter reunion the 25-26, so we could go straight from the ocean to California, which wouldn't be too restful, among other things. Other things being trying to pack stuff for three different "trips" all in one. On the other hand, you just might like more than a day or 2 to "rest up" and water all your weeds before you go again. Whatever.

Stan's on jury duty again this week. Hates it because of the detailed lesson plans he has to make up. He wrote about a dozen work sheets last night.

We went to a play Saturday nite - Ladyhouse Blues. Do you know when it was written? It was set in the 20's. We wondered because a lot of the jokes wouldn't have been meant as such if it was written back then (world coming to an end, last war stuff)

Le me know your measurements ma

See you soon

Jacque

Hi to Mark - I wrote you a lovely letter, but I lost it - unless Stan mailed it for me, which I doubt.

Fabric sample for the jacket:

Dora said she wished she had a light-weight iron

Lincoln, Nebr.

Dec. 12, 1965

Dear Lottie -

Thank you for your letter which I received and it was post-marked Oct 5th.

I was in Omaha Dec. 2nd to the 4th. Your father took Dora and I up to Blair. I went to see an attorney - who is Clark O'Hanlon. I spoke about you.

I remember when my late brother was born out in Colorado. As an infant he slept in a lovely cradle. I and my brothers becamse half orphans at a very early age. My late brother Garifled 15 months.

At this time of year when attendiont is for children and every-one. Well there was a family living up in South Dakota with several children. The parents were in an automobile accident and so serious that they passed away. Well people from near and far heard about these children and wanted to help. The accident happened about last May. And about 2 week or 3 weeks ago 7 thousand dollars had been sent to these orphan children. And then 1 man said he had become an orphan when only a child and sent 12 hundred dollars. Now most of the letters and donations have come from the East. Very few letters have come from the West.

When I was in Omaha Dora said she wished she had a light-weight iron to iron clothes. She said the iron she has is heavy. I was thinking that I could suggest to you - that I could mention this - that if you could, may-be buy a second-hand iron for Dora. If it needs cleaning perhaps you won't mind have it look clean. You know she will appreciate it and value it when it comes from you. Think how useful, also.

My brothers and I have Christian parents.

My wishes and expressed with-in the greeting card.

As ever

I am

Your Mother.

Nutty Scientist

Get Well Wishes

from Mother Jensen, January 2946

Hair & Teeth

Envelopes...

1945

1948

early 1950s

Your Great White Hope Shall Live On

Your the greatest, specialist and best grandpa

Oh sometimes I get so sick and tired of the T.V.

Postmark: 21 Mar 1966

Dear Lottie, Bob, and Family.

I wrote to Marie and Albert. Now must write to you, Betty, and Ira. Sometimes I feel just like I counldnt write then again I dont mind, but if I expect to get letters I must write. There sure was a big write up about that son-in-law-of yours. I want to send paper to Ruth then Ill send it to you unless they sent it to you - picture of him and Jill. I hope Jill sent paper to you. I meant to wrte and see if I could get couple extra papers but I just didnt write.

Still having wonderful weather. Imagine 81 on March 16. I went to Salvation Army Golden Age Club on Wednesday had a nice program and an awful crowd every seat was take and they brought in folding chairs to have seats enough. Sure wish Lars could go too but he cant. Me or he rather raked yard and I picked up trash and burned it and oh that night I dont think there was a single mustle in my whole budy that wasnt sore. And I sure ached but he didnt even complain did say he was tired and I know - I was.

Well so your grandma at last, I told Lars now he was great grandpop now.

Oh sometimes I get so sick and tired of the T.V. seems he puts it on so loud it just roars and then I turn my ear phone off. Havent heard from Martin last letter he was on vacation and wanted his history magazines by air mail. I keep them until I hear from him sometimes I air mail one others its 9 to 5 but I keep them until he writes and says send them by return air mail so I do. I take care of all his papers that come here then I air mail them to him when he says to.

Well today is Sunday and we have been home alone all day seems every one has forgotten we even exist. Lars complains his stomach hurts so bad but he wont go to Dr. Just takes Alka Seltzer and Asperin but I just now fixed him some water vinegar and Soda and he said it didn't even make him belch so what can I do.

Planned on going to Lincoln this nice weather but weather man keeps saying rain this PM.Well Ive been caught in rain coming from Lincoln and I dont care to start when it says rain so best stay home.

We are sick one day well next and sick next

Well how does it work to be grandparents. Feel any different. Well 30 years from now they dont even know you exist. Oh well wait another 40 then be there turn.

Must close now. Write soon.

Guess Im just in a disagreeable mood today. Got letter from Marie and she sent pictures of Betty anf family and Ruthie and Kathy she sure is a sweet little Redhead a perfect doll.

love to All

Dad and Dora

Thanks for the Valentine too.

1954 (the entire year)

Yep...this is it. Just a tiny calendar...Saved for 60 years...

By tonight I'll be a bloody mess

February 6, 1948

Dear Marie,

First of all, thank you so very much for remembering us all at Christmas. The girls were delighted with their little silk panties with lace! I've enjoyed the tablecloth immensely - we've used it several times. The pink and green dishes in my pattern set just match the colors in the tablecloth, and makes a very nice bright-looking table. Thanks again!

I've been wondering about how the tentative plans to visit the Northwest panned out. I hope you're still working on the deal, and that you can still make the trip. I know it would be awfully expensive - may we contribute a little? We can't afford much right now with the baby and a house in the offing, and my not working, but I'm sure we can contribute ten or fiften doolars to the "cause". After all, it's been three and a half years since you've been this way.

Just received a letter from Jean this morning. She enclosed a clipping about Al Harris (remember the young doctor who was best man at our wedding). He has been in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (for years, I gathered) doing cancer research. He had just perfected a very simple, inexpensive method for determining cancer. It is still in the experimental stage, although it has been tried on 1500 cases successfully. After announcing his findings in a medical journal, be became ill and died shortly of a cancerous brain tumor. He died without knowing that other doctors had used his test on him to determined the nature of his illness. The article stated he left a wife and four children - so he must have married again.

Everyone is fine at our house, though we have had more than our share of colds and flus - Baby Jill and Bob especially. Martin has been going to the dentist lately - he had to have one tooth pulled, and scads of fillings. It will cost close to a hundred dollars for repair work.

I've been housecleaning late - beating the spring rush. I washed the walls and woodwork in the kitchen yesterday - I'm going to do to ceiling and hang the curtains this afternoon. I shouldn't, though. The stuff I'm using is so strong it eats holes in my hands. By tonight I'll be a bloody mess and stiff and sore. Remember that hip trouble I had before? It bothers a lot espeically when I do anything like that. Bob's boss' wife is having a shower for me tonight. I should try and look glamorous instead of an old hag.

Hope you can make that trip - we have a very comfortable, large sofa, so we can stretch our sleeping space. Also Martin has a bunk house out in the feed-room where he can sleep.

Love & stuff.

L.

P.S. Thanks heaps for the dresses!

We aren't so crude as to make you sleep on the floor

May 13 (1966)

Folks -

It's about time you wrote. We had already given up on you.

Jack - I hope you could come to the youth seminar - you can fly half fare, you know. All you have to do is apply for an ID card from the air-line! You get your card and you can fly half fare. It's great.

If you people come next summer: Mother, we aren't so crude as to make you sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. We have plenty of sheets and bed-space. Besides our day-bed in the dining room we do have a sofa bed that folds out and is quite comfortable. You needn't worry about that. And, if you wish, you may even sleep on the sun-porch. It's quite nice out there.

The drive from Phoenix to Tulsa is absolutely beautiful. You'll enjoy the scenery very much. Reminds me very much of Eastern Washington, in fact. Very pretty. By the way, it's a two-day drive.

Sorry to hear about Judy (Beeson) Syvertson's bad luck. Sounds like she really has had a bad time of it all. Very sorry.

Tibor and I are doing just fine. So is the baby. He kicks real well. I'm doing just fine, except my blood pressure is going up quite a bit and I'm swelling some. Today I wore a yellow dress to work and Tibor said I looked like a fat little daffodil.

I'm going to quit my job on June 3. Between now and then my boss is hiring someone and I have to train her. It's gong to be a pain in the neck trying to show someone in one week what I've done for the past several months.

The weather around here is being "typically Oklahoma". One day it will be clear, shining and 90 degrees, then the next day will bring tornado watches and thunderstorms. We love every minute of it. Because the weather is usually nice.

Glad to hear about Jak being assistant editor of the annual next year. Do a good job, Jak! So what is this big "complication" that might stop her from going to school at the U for a week?

Who is Mary Jean Tollefson marrying? And when?

That's nice Joan & Rick Lorenz are having a baby. It's happens often, you know.

Please write again sooner. God bless all of you.

Love from

Jill & Tibor

It's a Spring day in January

The Regency on Laurie Lane

January ?, 1986

Dear Senor Roberto (alias Bob)

Greetings! Como esta usted? Bien? It's a Spring day in January. The seasons are confused. Hot air balloons are floating about the sky.

In the Northwest there is rain, a chill in the air, and 70 mile-per-hour winds whipping Seattle with fury

Ah-h-h, how nice is the balmy weather here. Aren't you looking forward to coming here, even for a short time? We are looking forward to seeing you.

Marie is sending me off to the post-office with a package for John and a handful of letters. We are checking our Christmas lists, and also thinking of putting the XMas decorations up. They might still be up when you sashay down this way. We are looking forward to your visit.

Love

Brother Francisco (Psst! "Frank")

Little Green Notebook

Job Interviews!

Martin is still here, and is the main reason for this letter

Monday

January 28, 1952

Dear Marie & Frank -

Just a few lines this time - I am probably the world's worst correspondent and even a short letter is an effort for me.

Arrived home last Tuesday night from Omaha, where I had a fine visit with my sister Jean, and Melvin, my brother who lives in Falls City.

The trip was supposed to last two weeks, but stretched to seven - and in the process I acquired a nice set of upper teeth. Seems the old ones were worn out - absessed and dangerous to keep. Am also on a rigid diet - must get weight down under 170 - but quick! The doctor set a 90 day deadline to accomplish this.

Found everything well in Omaha, but while I was there Pop fell and cracked some ribs. He was off work a week, but was back on the job when I left, and getting along okay. He and Dora have a comfortable house, and are happy, but the years are taking their toll, and Pop will not be able to work too many more years.

We (Pop, Dora & I) went down to see your mother one afternoon, and had quite a visit. She is in good health, but still obsessed with the idea of getting outside again. She is now hoping for Garfield to assume the responsibility of her guardianship!

Martin is still here, and is the main reason for this letter. It is utterly out of the question for him to stay here any longer, for a variety of reasons. I found one job for him working in the woods, but that is gone now - the two fellows for whom he worked finished and left. He is working today for a friend of mine but only for one day. He (Martin) talks of getting a job, but will do nothing about it, and I cannot spend my time looking for work for both of us. Still shows no initiative, and must be watched constantly or he sits down. That's all - sits.

While I was gone he "helped" Charlotte - in doing dishes he shattered, chipped or cracked every piece in a dinnerware service for eight, besides cereal bowls, glasses, pitchers, etc. But enough of this. It does no good to rehash what is done.

My problem now is his disposition. The unknown trying part of which I am adjustment (?) can furnish him transportation to his "home" - and the only question is where to send him. There are no jobs in this part of the country. Right now over 1700 carpenters alone out of an union are looking for work - other trades are in the same condition, and with several thousand skilled men looking for jobs and untrained youth has no chance at all. I talked at length with Dora and Pop about this problem. Dora cried and begged me not to send him to Omaha, for Lars' sake. They both believe that if he comes back there he will get to running with the same friends he had before, and end up in jail or the penitentiary. Also, while he was there he sold his clothes for spending money, took every cent he could wheedle out of Lars, and still owes Dora money he borrowed from her. He left Omaha wtih a lot of new clothes, sold them en route, and showed here here broke, in borrowed rags, lousy and filthy. I have tried to talk to him, impressing him with the necessaity of supporting himself - but he just says "okay" - then sits down to read a comic and smoke many of my cigareets.

If you have any concrete suggestions I would appreciate hearing from you at once. I have exhuasted my limited patience, and have determined that he will be gone from here by the end of this week. If he or no one else comes up with any specific destination, it will be necessary for me to just turn him loose on the highway. We have bought clothes for him, both wok and dress, and I'll provide an army-type bag to carry them in, and $5 to feed himself as long as he can.

You may, and probably will, condemn me as un-charitable and un-Christian, but the peace and welfare of my household dictates my position

I trust and pray this letter finds you and your family in good health and spirit. Belated thanks to you also for the Christmas gift. The pipe rack is beautiful and useful, and occupies a space of honor in our living room and in my heart.

Sincere regards -

Bob