my friend, Charlotte Jensen

Sometimes you come across an item that takes your breath away.

Lottie...Charlotte...here's the story...

Blair, Nebr.

January 28 (early 1930s)

Dear Marie,

It is now exactly 9:12 P.M. and I have just returned from Fremont where I debated in the Midland debates. My colleague was Clark O'Hanlon.

There were five of us that started out at noon today. Clark O'Hanlon, Paul Pederson, Bob Hunt, Mr. Allison, the coach, and myself. Going there I sat in the back seat between Bob and Paul. I really had a grand time because everyone was so nice to me. In fact, I didn't take off or put on my own coat once, didn't open one door for myself and only once did I turn on the faucet myself when I got a drink. Honestly those guys are so polite!

Clark and I debated three times today. I suppose we lost all of them, but of course we won't know until tomorrow. (Two times on the Affirmative and once on the Negative.) We met teams from Geneva, Wayne and North high. There are teams from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas represented at the tournament.

Garf just came in and brought the Blair Tribune which bore the accompanying article on the front page in this position. I was very shocked indeed. Marjorie Wheatley didn't go because she went to Omaha yesterday morning and didn't come back. Some kids say she got married. If she did it was probably to Kenneth Hatfield because she told me she was going steady with him. He went to Mason and Tech if you recall. If she doesn't debate anymore, it looks as if I am going to be the only girl in the whole debate forum. In Fremont we ate at the swellest joint! Modernistic and service plus! Everyone paid for his own order and then when the tournament is over, the school refunds 35 cents for each meal. Tomorrow night is the banquet, and the school already has bought the tickets. Sure is too bad about Dick Makee, he got an appendicitus attack and the last report stated that he was getting worse. He reminds me a lot of John McAndrews and he sure has a way with the girls.

Clark O'Hanlon is 6 ft tall and weighs about 175 or 200 pounds. He is a nice boy; very polite and lots of fun. Bob Hunt, along with Clark is pretty rich. He's nice too. Paul Pederson is good looking. I met him only last Tuesday and he asked to take me to a party held at church. I went with him Tuesday night and had a grand time.

The boys don't like the name "Lottie" so they thought up a new name for me. Clark's favorite name is Jeanette and Bob's is Ruth. Anyways they ended up by calling me Carlotta from the on. When Paul introduced me to his parents, he said, "- my friend, Charlotte Jensen. - "

I saw Roseanne and Bob Mills at Midland but I don't believe they saw me. That was my only disappointment because their seeing me there would have been the acme of my glory.

Anyway, I had a perfect time and came home safe and sound. Clark wanted to sit in the back seat coming home so I really kept warm sitting between he and Bob who took up 9/10 of the room.

Thanks for the heart-sister stuff!

Love,

L.

So I can't iron this letter before I send it.

Omaha, Nebr.
Feb. 10, 1944

Marie -

I have written 1 letter and sent a card Tuesday but haven't heard from you lately. Why don't you answer my letter? I remember your birthday is Saturday so I thought I would write a few lines and wish you a happy birthday. When you were born it was cold and snow like we are having in Omaha at the present time. It began snowing last night and has been snowing all day it seems. I haven't been out doors at all today. This snow reminds me of a poem which goes like this - The snow had begun in the glooming, And busily all the day, Had been heaping over ledge and highway.

That is all I remember at present.

I wish you would send me that poem type-written. I thought of it after I had written the few lines about snow.

Have you had any snow in Chicago?

I am glad your father brought me some coal yesterday.

Last Friday Feb. 4th I went to the Creighton dispensary and then the following Tuesday had an X-Ray taken of my chest. Before I had the X-Ray taken I went to the T.B. association and received a letter. I don't remember if you have been there or not. I know Betty has. So now I have been through that. After I had been to dispensary I went to see the lady who has charge of family welfare. She has given me some assistance. I told her what your address was. I hope you didn't mind. Have you heard from her? Well I sincerely hope you can arrange to come to Omaha for good reasons. Just think it is now over 2 years since I began living alone. Do you remember? I am glad I have been able to have the elective light during this time. But right now my iron cord don't work. So I can't iron this letter before I send it. I'll put the letter on the table light and hope it destroys all germs.

Oh by the way have you called at my cousin's address. Please answer about this as I asked you in letters I have written before.

And please answer about those pictures you had taken out at Yakima Washington last September. I haven't received any of those pictures taken. And please have a stamp picture taken and send it to me this time. Marie you must have neglected to send your father any birthday gift.

Tuesday evening we went out to the Admiral and saw "Ida Lupino and Dennis Morgan in 'The Hard Way". It was really quite good and your father thought so too.

I read some time ago where Ida Lupino lives her roles. And that she has insomnia. Also has a great dane (dog). She seems so serious and oh she can certainly dish it out. In this picture also was an actress who could have been about my age. I heard somebody else say that they had notived how along all the late pictures there is some-one in the picture of an older generation. Oh yes that is perhaps to show the younger people how they may look at about middle age. No-body stays the same do they? But I heard one time that men don't. Well at any rate it goes on and on from one generation to another. Did you ever read or hear how France and Germany have had wards for the last 5 hundred years? Your cousin Joseph is out at Fort Ord, California. I gave Betty the address so she could write him a letter if she wishes to do so.

Oh there is so much snow in front of my back door I can't open it.

Oh your father told me the last time I saw him that Corrine H. was in the hospital. Had a baby boy but it didn't live. That was a case where it didn't take much brains to get married. The man she married had been married before and had one child.

This is from a story I read Quote "It is astonishing how little training or brains a girl needs to get married." Unquote.

Please answer me about the apron.

Did you ever stop to think you have to be reasonable what I mean is when you begin thinking things out?

You really should write your father after each time that you receive the money.

Have you asnwered Elin's letter?

I can hear the wind blowing to-night.

I must close and do I need to remind you to write?

As ever,
I am,
Your Mother.

P.S. Could you please send my mother some doughnuts? Thank you.

Friday Evening.

Marie -

I didn't send this letter yesterday so I will add a few more lines. I thought perhaps I would hear from you to-day.

I thought of a few lines of a poem and it seems quite the way I feel.

Lead kindly light amid th enclustering gloom,
Lead Thou me on,
I do not ask to see the distant scene,

The night is dark and I am far from home.
One step enough for me
Lead Thou me on.

Please correct mistakes.


And now wishing you many happy returns of the day.

Do you still have that pretty birthday card I have you back in 1940? It was pretty enough to frame.

A Thanksgiving Message

Lincoln, Nebr.
Nov. 17, 1965

Dear Marie -

First I wish to thank you for paying the telephone bill when it is sent to you. This is Wednesday and I haven't heard from you so I will write what I will take time before I go down South to the Post-Office.

Now Marie I wish to talk to you and write more about what we were talking about last Sunday. The 10 month and 22nd 1965 was the last time I talked to Dr. Palmer. She said at that time every-thing was the same.

Now I would like to call you up next Sunday and I will pay the bill. You can tell me what Betty said about coming. Also you know you said what do you want me to write? Well I can be at home Sunday afternoon.

Please excuse writing.

As ever,
I am
Mother

In haste.)

P.S. Let your family read the clipping as well as your-self.

Night gown -
size 38
light blue
flannel.
Thank you.

Ruth Norby (1890 - 1974)

Oakland, Nebr.

Nov. 7 - 1974

Marie Durand

Dear Madam,

A while back I sent you an order blank for a marker to match the one in the cemetery for Ruth Norby Jensen. Mr. Bob Gakun said you wanted some one to match it up.

I have taken a rubbing of the marker so it will be the same.

Please let me know if you want me to match it or not. Best to get it now cause they will be higher after the 1st of the year.

Just send me the white copy I sent along signed and I will take care of the rest.

Yours Truly,

Melvin Swenson

Oakland, Nebraska

Oakland, Nebr.

Dec. 12, 1974

Marie Durand

Dear Madam,

Inclosed is copy of marker for Ruth. I had Bob Gakun check the spelling of name & dates and I sent the 1st copy back to the Company so they will start work on it.

This will not be set till spring. So I will let you know when it is set.

Melvin Swenson

$194.75

The Condition of Mr. Lars Jensen

Martin showed up in Tacoma last week

December 5, 1951

Dear Marie & all,

Martin showed up in Tacoma last week. I knew you'd be anxious to hear from him.

He arrived stone broke - not even carfare to get here. His luggage had been stolen in Utah and he had only the clothes on his back (which I am sure had been there for a couple of months without change). He had been sleeping in missions, and had lice. We had to burn his shoes and most of his clothing. Bob got some stuff to kill the lice, and medicine for his athletes foot. We got him some shoes, a jacket, and some other warm, but used, clothing at a rummage sale. Bob found him a job up in the woods cutting hop poles. It was a board and room deal, but Martin didn't pan out so well and we have to go up and get him this evening.

Bob is going back to Nebraska for two weeks to visit Jean and Melvin. Martin will stay here while he is gone, and after that we have a half-way promise of a job for him on a small cattle ranch near here. It's a fellow we know (and who knows of Martin). They offered him board and room, plus ten dollars a month. Marty is afraid of animals so I don't know how well it would work out, but it's the next thing we'll try.

Martin is still about the same. He looks seedy (even after a bath and a hair-cut) and has no confidence in himself. He is polite and good to the kids, but no more responsible than ever. He has the mentality of about an eight-year old child. I hope we can get him a job on a level that he can hold, but that's pretty hard to do.

Write when you can -

Love L.

Family Record: The Jensen Tree

Char (Charlotte/Lottie)

Mother's Father: Lars
Mother's Mother: Ruth

Mother's Grandfather: Ole Jensen

Mother's Grandmother: Marie Christine

Mother's Grandfather: Peter

Mother's Grandmother: Christ (Christine)

Mother's Great-Grandfather: Zacharias
(Connected to Peter)

Mother's Parents

Name: Lars

Name of Spouse: Ruth

Children

Elin

Mari (Marie)

Lottie

Betty

Mart (Martin)

Mother's Paternal Grandparents

Name: Ole Jensen
Name of Spouse: Marie Larsen

Date of Marriage: Not married to Ole Jensen. Later married Anton Paulsen.

Children
Lars       father Ole
Maranus (Magnus?)
Paula
Holgar

Mother's Maternal Grandparents

Name: Zacharias

Name of Spouse: Christine

Children

Peter

-

-

-