If Mrs. Jensen's Belonging Are Here...

Christmas 1947

Rathering Discouraging Report

(click to enlarge)

It was impossible to reason with your mother in any way

Baptism Annoucement: Jill Johnson

Eviction

May 16, 1947

To Whom it May Concern:

I have been notified that my mother, Mrs. Ruth Jensen, has recently been evicted from 2507 Pierce St., and that since that time has proved a problem to society. A suggested course has been that she be committeed to the Douglas County Psycopathic Ward and that my father, Lars Jensen, be appointed as her administrator with power to dispose of her belongings.

After thoughtfully considering the difficult problem from every angle, my judgments are as follows:

Knowing my mother & observing her throughout my life, I belive that there are two general areas in which she does not always display the ordinary reactions. One is in her attitude toward her personal belongings & the other is in her provisions for the future. Right now I do not believe that she is any more mentally ill that she has been for as long as I can remember. Being put out of the home where she has lived for most of 21 years is certainly a traumatic and humiliating experience for her, as it would be for any of us. Furthermore, I believe, this incident points up the "sore spots" in her personal adjustment, but displays nothing to point up the many areas in which she is perfectly rational.

I do not think that putting my mother in a mental hospital will solve the problem. If she is helped to establish for herself a home of her own where she can have privacy & a degree of security, I believe that she will not be a menace to society and will have the maximum amount of happiness. The two "problem areas" of her personaliyu will assume their usual place where they won't cause too much difficulty. Would any of us react "normally" if we were forced to go through the experience she has had, practically without friends or family?

If Mother is institutionalized I really fear degeneration. Realizing her personality pattern, what would be left in life for her if her belongings & her freedom were taken away? I do not have too much faither in the rehabilitation mental hospital programs as they are staffed & equipped today. Suppose that her property, which is , I believe, the basis of her security is taken away, how will she ever be able to assume a near normal place in society?

The result of institutionalization will be, I fear, dicintregration of Mother's personality and a long costly program for the county. Finding for her in Omaha a very simple home & working out an adequate plan of financing her existance, I sincerely believe is the most creative, adequate, rehabilitating, and Christian way that is open to us. My husband and I are willing to cooperate in such a plan.

Very sincerely yours,

Marie Durand

To-day is a beautiful day.

Omaha, Nebr.

Oct. 2, 1947

Marie -

I received your letter dated Sept. 16th and I was delighted to hear from you. I have intended to write sooner. To-day is a beautiful day. I am still here but expect to leave here soon. It will seem wonderful to breath air in the big out-of-doors. I have not been out side very recently. I go to the sewing class in the afternoon except Saturdays. I am now crocheting on a hot pan holder. It is the 8th article I have made. Also I changed the way a dress I have was made in the front.

You asked me in your letter what my intentions were. Well I asked your father to go and talk to the Dr. about my being released from the hospital. He did go one time but I wished that he would go again. I was thinking that I oculd stay out at his house for a short time. But I haven't been out to his house and I wished we could agree about on matters so to speak. So the next time your father comes out I think I will tell him that I may go out to Clearview home which is about 10 miles West of Benson. There was an article in last night's paper about the County hospital which said being this department was crowded some patients is to go to Clearview. I have worded this as near as I can remember. Thank you for writing that my wishes are the main thing to be considered.

Now about shoes I think it would be better to buy them here. So Marie would you send me the money which I will appreciate very very much. Also I need money for other things and you know Marie you haven't sent me any money since I have been here. And didn't you write at one time that you were going to send me $10.00 a month?

So Marie as I will be needing money how about sending me ten dollars the next time you write? The money and valuables are kept in a safe for patients. And I may leave here soon so could you send your letter with the money air mail and have the letter insured with a return card made out? No it would not be a suitable place in your father's garage to store things. My things are stored Marie and I wish I could go and get my sweater you sent me some time ago. I like the long sleaves in it.

It was nice that you had a pleasant vacation on your trip. Were your children with you?

I hope Martin is all right and that he can attend school which is closest to where Lottie lives. I wrote to Lottie but haven't heard from her in answer to my letter. Please write to her and ask her to write to me.

I mush close and please write as soon as you reeive this letter. And also enclose money.

I have been writing this letter with the tablet in my lap.

Also when you write to Betty remind her to write to me some time. I haven't heard from Elin yet.

Good-by for this time.

I am, As ever

Your Mother.

In care of County hospital.

P.S. I hope I can arrange to buy the shoes after you send the money Marie. And thanking you in advance.

Jill's Baptism

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The 6th apron I have made here

Omaha, Nebr.

Nov. 17, 1947

Marie -

I received your letter post-marked Nov. 12th and the money order enclosed. Thank you very much Marie. I hope that you received my other letter after you had written me. I will answer your last letter now.

No I haven't any new shoes yet Marie but I hope, I hope I may be able real soon to have some. I hope I may be released soon from here. Have you written to the welfare people to that effect recently? I wish to thank you that you wrote, "that my wishes should certainly be considered." I would rather try on the shoes before I buy them. So if I were released from the hospital your father could go with me to the store to buy my shoes. Just think Marie I have been here now over 6 months.

Your father brought out a nice letter from Betty. In Betty's letter she wrote that she intends to write Marie soon.

I was surprised when you wrote that your children had a picnic in the back yard. I thought that the baby was hardly over her cold to be outdoors yet. I should think you should keep her in-side more Marie. That was nice that you had your children's pictures taken. But why were you not on the picture also?

I have just finished sewing one of the smaller aprons which is the 6th apron I have made here. Please will you write and ask Lottie if she received the apron I sent her for her birthday. Answer this question in your next letter.

I have been reading a story and the name is Hope of Earth, by Margaret Lee Runbeck. It is a story of the pioneers' faith in religion. The story has it's beginning back in 1837 and toward the end of hte story it is 1943 and is then about the 3rd generation. I haven't started reading any other other, other since finishing it. I wished to think it over. For there is a saying, that "It is not what we read but understand that makes us wise."

Marie please read over the last letter I wrote as you answer also read over this letter. Please write to Lottie and ask her how Martin is and what school he is attending. Then let me know when you hear from her. Lottie has not written me for months. Also ask Elin to write as well as Betty. Thank you.

I must now come to a close and say good-by.

As ever,

I am

Your, Mother.

County hospital.)

Don't forget to send Elin a birthday card

postmark: April 4, 1947

Omaha, Nebraska

Marie -

I received your letter last Monday. I had already written a letter to you and hope you received it Marie. I sent an Easter card and I will write letter later.

Don't forget to send Elin a birthday card. I thought I would remind you.

Good-night,
I am, As ever,
Your, Mother.

Grocery Shopping

1/3/47

Lux     15

Ivory     18

Beans     11

Syrup     16

Milk     18

Jam     37

Meat     43

Butter     21

Soup     16

12.52

16.10

12.52

3.58 Bal

1/7/47

Coffee     17

Milk     18

Canned Milk     07

1/4 Butter     21

Potatoes     08

Apples     26

???      09

13.87

1/11/47

13.87

Tissue     05

Matches     05

Syrup     18

Cabbage     05

Apples     21

14.41

16.10

14.44

Bal 1.69

Milk    18

Plum preserves     37

Light Bulb     11

Cream     19

Buter     18

Eggs     52

Soup     16

Cake     05

Potatoes     09

3.86

Eggs     41

Apples     21

Apple Juice     29

Cream     18

Soup     16

Carrots     5

Butter     19

Onion     1

6.99

7.25

Apples     16

Cream     19

Butter     22

Bread     13

7.95

2 Baby Boxes     1.50

Complex Soap     75

Butter Scotch pudding     55

Cosmetic Tax     30

3.10

I mean full length and not just the bust...

Omaha, Nebr.

Feb. 1, 1947.

Marie -

I sent you a letter recently and hope you received it.

Marie I intend to send you a birthday present real soon. I hope you have a birthday cake for your birthday with all the trimmings. I received a nice little gift from my friend out in Monterey, California. She wrote that all her children went together and bought her a new gas stove as a Christmas present. This lady is only 5 months older than I am.

Marie if you don't mind would you send me money for the whole month, that is $10.00? I need it very much. It is real winter weather here with snow and around zero in temperature. I suppose the weather out there is about like California weather.

Marie, have your picture taken like the young lady's picture below. And have a photograph taken of all of you on one picture and how about planning to have it taken on your birthday when you will be 29 years old? It would seem like an occasion for celebrating. Please answer soon as you receive this. Mother.

P.S. Marie don't tell any one it is your birthday and plan out how to arrange your plans. Just some plain pictures but have full size, but not big pictures. I mean full length and not just the bust as the little girls pictures are you know from head to toe. You can sit down and Frank, you hold the baby on your lap and Ruthie standing in the middle. Don't wear your glasses. Please write and don't delay.

P.S. Pictures about size of this sheet of paper. Thank you.

And the clipping (referencing the photo):

And interesting article on the back of said photo:

"It's like throwing one's money away"

Omaha, Nebr.

Jan. 23, 1947

Marie -

I received your letter to-day also money enclosed. Also received your letters dated Dec. 4, Dec. 19 and Jan 8th. Also Christmas card and birthday card with the letters also the money. And the pictures of your two little girls for which I thank you and all I have mentioned above.

Now I will try and answer each letter Marie for I have much to write about.

I am quite busy and the days have been short but now are longer. I try to accomplish much work as possible and there is so many things to do.

Your father ordered 1 ton of coal for me while the weather was below zero. I payed the man to carry the coal in for me. I have a little wood for the time being. Yes I am still receiveing County Assistance.

I let Dora read the letter you wrote. What about your father buying a house? So Marie do you mind writing and asking Dora any questions?

In the letter you wrote Dec. 19th you said you would send me more money and I can't express in words how I appreciate it. I have had quite a time trying to buy cotton stockings. I hope I have success the next time. I ask for stockings down town. I did buy a pair of rayon ones and oh it is like throwing one's money away because of the poor quality.

I had already heard about Lottie's baby when at the time your letter was received. Don't you think if Lottie had stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks the baby perhaps would not have caught such a cold? I have sent you, Lottie and Betty the same advise about taking care of your-selves at a time when you give birth to a child. Think it over or have you forgotten already?

I do not know if you want me to repeat the lines to refresh your memory? Let me know the next time you write please. Will you?

Yes I know that Betty has been with Lottie and I am glad she was able to travel while in a delicate condition her-self. Remember how undecided I was about Betty going out to Tacoma to be with Lottie when her first baby came? You were living in the up-stairs house where you moved from the little flower apartment. And there Betty and Martin went to live with you for the first time.

That was nice that you could have a tree at the house where you live. Did you have a star or an angel up at the top of the tree? In case you remember you may answer.

Perhaps by this time you have sent the baby quilt to Betty for her baby. It was beautiful.

I am selling things that I don't need. You know the davenport that you covered? Well I had no use for it. So I called different furniture stores if they would want to buy it. And no one was interested so I thought I would have it taken apart and perhaps have a table made from the wood. So when a furniture man came out who repairs furniture said how much would I want for it. Then said he had a side-board that he would trade for it and $4.00. So that is what I did exchanged as I have written above. I cleaned the davenport first and brushed the top part that you covered with that green material.

Louis Palmo as you know was in a German prison camp but is now discharged from the Army. I think he is married though I don't know for sure. I have seen him with a nice looking young lady up at Safe-way store a few times. And this lady is dressed real nice. I saw Anna May a few weeks ago and she looked rested and real happy. As for as I know she is still single.

G. Palatto is still working down at Neilner's store. And Mildred has been keeping company with a young man who has been in the service. As far as I know at this date she is still single and 25 years of age.

Corrine H. was in Omaha but she left again. She has had 3 children and 1 died. Her husband has been in the service also.

Josephine Cannon has been married 2 times and has 2 children and the last I heard she was separated from her last husband and was going to get a job.

I talked to Mary T. a while back and you know who I man. Joe Monari's relatives. I said some thing about the house being painted where she lives because I am not quite sure which house she lives in. She said yes, and that her father painted the back whils she painted the front of the house.

In the letter you wrote to-day you asked me why don't I write. Well it seems I have been so tired and when I wrote I wanted to write an interesting letter to you, Marie. I hope I have succeed.

And now about Betty's having a baby I think she could just as well have waited longer. I hope she don't take air any more and that she can nurse her baby. I have a card I intend to send her about a speedy recovery with dark pink roses on it. I think the card is pretty. And by the way I want to thank you for the nice Christmas and birthday cards you sent again.

I stayed at home Christmas day, but I was to the Lutheran Women's home on Christmas Eve. Perhaps you remember I used to speak about the Scandinavian Home, well the Lutheran Home is the same. The day before I stopped and asked the lady if I could come and she asked another lady and yes I could come. Oh they served such a de-   food in Swedish style. All the way from white lute fish to rice pudding with I think 3 nuts in pudding. After-wards there was piano playing by a lady who played with-out notes I think. Then later bible reading and singing of Christmas songs. Then there was a tall tree and persents were given out. And candy passed aroud and I ejoyed the evening. It seemed like such a change to me. And you know at this time I wish to mention that I had hoped that at some-time when you had the time that you could go with me up there. But the time never came. And while I was married to your father I found no time my-self to go there. So you can image what a change it was for me. I can remember a time hen we were living at the apartment on Capitol Ave. and we had just moved from Dow City. You were a baby and I was on the street car carrying you. The lady up at the Home was on the street car too and I spoke to her. She said for me to come and see them some time and bring your little darling along who was you.

This year I did not receive any-thing from Mrs. Bergquist. They have moved now. I received from the World-Herald an order that I could buy for 2 and 1/2 dollars worth which I did, at a grocery store.

P.S. Please write soon.

From, Your Mother.

Telegram to Elin

May 5, 1947

To Mrs. F Ray Johnson

Care of or Apt. No. Northport, Washington.

Elin will you please come to Omaha right after school lets out? Answer at once.

From

your,

Mother.

So - get ready can you?