Wartime Last Will and Testament

I Can Do My Own Washing

May 18, 1952

Dear Marie - 

I received your welcome letter and mother's day card also the money and thank you very much dear. Thank you for wishing that last Sunday was a pleasant day for me. Yes I remember when we were together when it was Martin's birthday on mother's day.

Marie you wrote that it would be nice to see me soon. Yes indeed it would and Marie you must arrange to come. I talked to the Dr. who comes on this ward after I had received 1 of your letter. I said something about the expense and the Dr. answered in a way as if that would not make any difference. I spoke to the Dr. whom you talked to last summer. Now Marie the Dr. worded the answer in a way that seemed to mean that somebody would send you the cost of a ticket here. I hope to be excused if I am mistaken. I was in hopes of talking to the social worker again and see if she knows. And that time when the social worker was here on the ward to see me I gave her your address. I thought she intended to write to you about me. 

Marie the reason I want you to come is because it seems very necessary. Because I wish for you to help me be dismissed from this hospital and please, please Marie could I stay with you until 6 months are up. You know different members of the family have visited with you. I can do my own washing and ironing as I am doing here also mending my clothes. You know Marie the patients have to have some 1 of their family to take them out. I have waited so long for your father to come and to-day is a nice day and I wonder what the excuse is that he hasn't come.

I hope that you can tell him your-self what you think be should do and may-be he will listen to you. So that is another good reason for coming and also to take a vacation. So Marie as soon as school is out try to prepare to come. Perhaps you could have some lady stay with your 2 little girls and Frank could help care for them at home. And so if you and the youngest child came it would be easier for you dear. I wish you could travel on the train. Yes and Marie I wish for you to help me with new glasses. I also still have the apron I made for you and have not sent it.

Now Marie please write as soon as possible and arrange to come for it has to be this way it seems. Mother.

I'll Never Go To College So I Might As Well Give Up My Teacherly Ambitions

Omaha, Nebraska

August 28, 1936

Dear Marie,

We received your cards not long ago on the same day and were sure glad to hear from you.

I'm going up the Tech about Wednesday or Thursday of next week and change my program card to the Secretarial course. I've decided the Art course isn't the one for me and I'll never go to college so why take College Prep and get out of school and work in the dime store or domestic work? Thelma Gaspar's mother was over the Pregler's the other day and said it cost about $900 a year to send Thelma to school in addition to her scholarship. At that rate I'll never go to college so I might as well give up my teachably ambitions. If you have any objections to my changing my course as previously stated, please write soon and tell me. I'll have to drop Cooking and Sewing too I think because it will cost too much for Sewing.

Toby gave me a plaid dress recently and I cut it off and put some sleeves in it to form a blouse. I have finished it, and am now working on a white skirt which is nearly finished.

I have been downtown twice for Toby and I got this stationary. How do you like it as well as the monogramming? The letters are my own idea. By the way, I got 18 sheets of paper and 18 envelopes for 5 cents each.

When I was downtown, I got 2 pairs of knee hi socks, a big Nursery Thyme Book for Martin and a sort of a History like book for Betty as well as a pair of sun goggles for Marty.

Does this letter smell perfume? Pleas don't say "no" at the expense of my feelings, for I'm doing my darndest to make it smell like the perfume Toby gave me. 

What are you plans for this fall? Are you going to college, go to work, take a P.S. course at Tech or keeping working where you are.

I received a lettter from Ruth Erkman the other day as well as from Sara Jane and Virginia McMillan. I called up the latter today from Pregler's and she said she was in an automobile accident and had three teeth knocked out. She is going to have some false ones bridged in soon.

Pa got some new glasses a while ago on a discount three Murphy's at Columbia Optical Co. This discount is OK (20%) for all members of their family - I am going to get some new ones in about two months when pa pays for his ($4.50).

Love, Lottie

Holiday Activities at the Lincoln State Hospital

(click to enlarge)

Now I Am Able To Take Some Kind Of Job

Nov. 9, 1952

Lincoln 1, Nebraska

Dear Marie - 

I received the little card about the birth of your baby. Why didn't you write a letter as it is your turn to answer my letter? But I suppose you have had so many things to think about. Hope you and the baby are as well as can be expected. It should please your father what you named your baby. Who is the baby's first name after if any-body because such a common name?

I am still here as you can see by this paper. Your father has not been here since the last part of May. And I have not been down town for about a year now. I wish to send you something I made but would rather sent it my-self the way I like. Now Marie it seems you could help me if you knew how import an it is to me, if you would co-operate. I was nice of you to write that I had your permission to go to Lincoln but could you write and ask if I could have town patrol as it it called? You could write this in the letter to me and I will show it to the Dr. who comes on this ward. I told him about you and your baby.

Marie there is something else I wish to write to you about. Now I am able to take some kind of a job. I can iron well as you know. Then plain sewing. And lately I have learned how to sew carpet rags a new way. I would not expect much for my work but would be so thankful if you will write to me that I have your permission to take a job. I don't suppose you would consider me to come to live with you even though I could help you with your house-work and I would not expect any money just room and board.

Please let me know if you have heard any news about Martin. I am worried about him. 

Pardon me, but if you should wish to send me any gift, would you send me some money. That is what I need as I still have not got any glasses for my eyes which I need very much. Please write to your sisters to send me money in case they desire to send me any-thing. Thank you very much.

Now please write as soon as possible. I did not attend church services to-day. I was reading the papers this afternoon. So much of interest to read about the past election. Who did Frank vote for and did you vote? I was wondering if Martin went to vote too?

Hope this letter finds you blissfully happy. I will now come to a close and remind you to write and answer my questions.

Best wishes to all.

As ever,

Your, Mother.

P.S. Marie if you can not afford o send me any money please write that you give permission to get town patrol and also that I may take a job.