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.

But Don't Eat Too Much

1962

Thanks for the xmas letter. Margaret and I are doing fairly good. Hasn't snowed for a while. Earn lots of money but don't eat too much. Greetings to all.

Uncle Garfield and Aunt Margaret

Nobody In Jail. Thank God.

A grocery store on the corner. A car that starts, has gas and no flat tires. A swing in the back yard. Five kids. Nobody in jail. Thank God.

Charlotte Johnson

Tacoma

Please Use The Word Mama Instead Of Mom

Omaha, Neb.

Jan. 7, 1948

Marie - 

I wish to thank you for the birthday card I received yesterday. It would have been nice if you had enclosed a pretty handkerchief. I hope you have received the apron and hot pan holder by this time. If you had already received it at the time when you sent the birthday card why didn't you write a few lines and let me know? You must write me a long letter and let me know about the way you spent Christmas out there.

I am enclosing some clippings I thought you would be interested in reading. The reason I am sending that little one with the girl wearing an apron is because I think you should make your little girls jumpers with a piece in the front. Can you still make the jumper that way and try and make the sleaves in the blouses longer? And why were you and Frank not in the picture also? I like the hair ribbons in their hair but why not remind them to close their mouths?

Will you please write and ask Betty to let me know if she received the apron I sent her? Also send her the clipping about Good morning breakfast program. 

I received the letter from you with the Christmas card. 1 card from your children with pictures drawn on the back of the card. 1 card from little Rebecka. I mentioned I received the money order before I think and the stockings as well as the photograph of your little girls.

I am glad I heard from all my children.

Marie I hope I can leave the hospital in the near future. But I don't know yet where I can go from here. I will write a few lines to Frank on the back of this letter. Please write very soon. You did not enclose any-thing with the birthday card did you?

From Mother.

~~~~~~~~

Wednesday Afternoon.

Frank - 

This afternoon from 2 to 3 is visitor's day but Marie's father did not come out as I hoped he would. And he did not bring me a birthday cake or flowers, not even a card. You could write and remind him how neglectful he was...

Frank, I received a Christmas card from your parents. Will you kindly write them that I sent my thanks to them. And thank you for your card also.

I hope you will think this clipping about Arizona interesting.

From Mrs. Ruth Jensen.

~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1948

Marie - 

I received your card yesterday an all though I had a letter written to you, I will add more to my letter. I am glad you received the apron I sent, but you didn't mention the hot pan holder. How do you like it?

Did you have the flu about the time that Katherine D. was there for a visit?

At Christmas season there was a tree on this floor. Some of the patients made some decorations. At one time a number of school children came in a group and sang Christmas songs. Another time a number of adult people came and sang.

There are some young people who came out each Sunday evening and sing and we enjoy hearing them. Christmas morning present were passed out to the patients. I receive a pair of anklets.

Marie did you send a Christmas card to my cousin in Chicago? I received a pretty one from her. If you don't remember her address you may ask me next time you write. If you write to her please send her a nice handkerchief with your card. Thank you.

Did you have any letter from Elin? I wish that she would write to me. And will you write to Elin also Betty to write to me? I surely get lonesome staying here for days, weeks and months. To-day I have been here 8 months. I was hoping your father would come out last Sunday and being me a few things. Marie will you write and ask Lottie if she received the Nursery chair and tool box which was Martin's?

Now about the candy, you may send a few milk chocolates, and chocolate nougat candy, also hard candy and gum drops. Now you could buy about 1/2 lb. of each Marie. It could be for a belated birthday gift. Also if you wish you could send me a few pretty handkerchiefs and the Mc Call's magazine. If the magazine has been used it doesn't matter and remember December number for 1947.

Now Marie I hope you can take time and sit down and write out the list what I have asked you, to do for me. And please don't want any time and answer my questions by reading over my letter as you write. 

Thanking you again for all that you have sent me Marie. I hope you feel that it is a pleasure to do these things for me. So good-by for this time. I am, Your, Mother.

P.S. Please use the word Mama instead of Mom.

Marty Was Put Back In The Fourth Grade

October 10, 1943

Dear Marie,

This will probably be just a note, for I haven't much time, but thought you'd rather have a note than nothing at all.

We received all three of your letters this week - on three successive days. First we got the Sept. 27th letter - it had no "Rt. 7" on it, and had bounced all over before it was delivered here. Next the "Pony Express" letter, and then your last one of October 3.

I wrote you last Sunday, but we had mislaid Frank's card, and had no other address, so we sent it on to Betty for her to forward.

Roxy is starting to walk - she crawls between tries, but can stand up (and get up) in the middle of the floor unassisted. She can bloe we whistle and call "Marty" (like I do) and can feed herself and drink from a glass. I'll bet this just sounds like bragging to you  but we are proud of our little Roxy.

Brace yourself for a good shock - guess whose going to have a baby? Ruth Haakensen. They've been married 19 years or so. With only Lynn so far. It's supposed to be born in April.

I think the arrangement of $10 a month is just fine. I've lined up a drum teacher and though we'd take the $1.00 a week out of that allowance. I'e made an appointment with Dr. Clay, the child specialist who takes care of Roxy, for Martin. The earliest open day was October 30, so we'll just have to wait till then to have him checked.

As I said in the last letter, we got new glasses for him - frames & all. $23.00 but I hope it was worth it.

Marty was put back in the fourth grade this week. I hope he will do better. The teacher wrote a note home saying that in the Achievement tests the class took, Marty classified himself in the third grade. Again I say, I hope he can snap into meeting his responsibilities.

I'm sending a little package this week. Buttons, tacks, some socks of Roxy's (partly worn, just as they are) and Roxy's bedroom slippers. I'm withholding the slips and white shoes until I hear from you. Can you exchange the slips in Chicago?

Love, L.

Mary Line