Wartime Last Will and Testament

It Is His Duty Toward Mother To Help Her

Lincoln, Nebr.

Nov. 14, 1956

Dear Marie - 

It is your turn to write. I should think you could find some time if you would only try.

Your father said he was still sore but has started to drive his car. How I wish he would rest but I suppose Dora wants him to help her with selling Christmas cards. You know people who used to make believe they were his friends could show it by helping him at this time. 

Didn't he like to show how he would help people when there was an opportunity? Do you know anyone in Omaha whom you suppose could drive your father's care for him?

Please write as soon as possible to Bob and explain about Martin. Bob should be willing to do what I asked for Martin. I would make matters so much easier if those who are in the family and related would co-operate. This for the welfare of those who are close to one another.

Please write as nice a letter as you can to Martin. Say it is his duty toward mother to help her. You are supposed to be a Christian I thought. Then please show some kindness in time of need.

Now if Bob can go to New York when Martin is there it would be the best way possible.

Martin's address - 

Mr. Martin Miles Jensen

Z-1 018 625-D1

Wiper Steamship Transpacific

% Tak Shipping Corporation

30 Broad Street

New York,

New York.

I wrote to Martin Nov. 6th 1956. Also to one of the concerns who sent Martin's address.

Your father said there is a letter at his house for Martin.

When you write to Martin mention that his father was in a car accident. And that his father would sure like to see him as he said so.

Please write and answer this letter.

And thanking you for your intention in write to Bob for me.

I will now close.

With best wishes.

As ever

I remain,

Your Mother

P.S. Enclose you wil find 2 stamps for Martin's collection. Also handkerchief for you.

Daughter Is Born

Awards of Good Conduct Medal

Robert N Johnson, Pfc, is listed third from the bottom.

No Degree of Disability Was Granter

Drink Coffee and Eat Aspirins

July 2, 1945

Dear Marie,

This is all the paper that's handy at the moment, and I have a little spare time.

I'm geting the baby things off this mail. Sorry not to have done it sooner. Ruth has some of the things and has been up at Stanwood for a couple of weeks. I've been waiting for her to come home, but her arrival has been delayed several times. I'll get your shirts and the other socks and send along later. I've copied the blouse pattern and that is included. The skirt is all straight seams. I don't have a pattern - just measure.

Melody has three accomplishments now. She can wave "bye-bye", measure "how big", and "patty-cake". She still has a very good disposition. 

Roxy has developed a lot since you were here. The other day I askd her what Daddy was going to do when he came home. "Drink coffee and eat aspirins" was the reply.

I made Marty quite the paper route because he didn't get home on time. Now he's working in the berry fields. He's only been out two days, so I don't know how long he'll last. He's no more ambitious than ever.

I've been awfully busy lately. Sounds trite but I really mean it. You'd think so too, if you were here.

This is all the paper I have, so I'll close. Write when you can - I'll do the same.

Love & stuff,

L.

The touch of a typewriter

Alice, Texas

March 28, 1967

My dear Bob and Charlotte and family:

First, I want to thank you for the lovely daffodils. They arrived in excellent shape and were beautiful until East Sunday when they did look a little on the droopy side. Mr. Mullen, Helen, Pique and I left a week ago Tuesday for Hot Springs, Arkansas where the Mullen clan gathered for a reunion on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday and East Sunday. All four of the boys, their respective spouses and all children were present, plus Clancy's boy friend from Seattle who attends Gonzaga, and Pique and me as extras. There were twenty nine in all, and a splendid time was had by each and every one. The flowers arrived the day after I left, but Jack and his family were just leaving and they brought them to Hot Springs. Isn't it a wonder that they kept so well, traveling so far? Anyway, accept my sincere thanks. We all enjoyed them. 

Helen made the trip by car both up and back, and needless to say at the moment is down with the count. On top of sheer exhaustion, she has contracted a bad sinus infection. She just doesn't have any stamina. As long as she keeps her regular routine, things go fairly well, but anything out of the ordinary is that much more than she can take.

We had a letter from Frenchy Mullen, the Captain in the Navy whom Mame reared, Jim Mullen's younger son, today telling us that Mame has moved into a one bedroom apartment out in her old neighborhood, and for the first time since December 23, 1965, is on her own. Early this year a pace maker was connected to her heart because of her heart condition, and Frencie says it has been very successful to date. Bob, if you have the time to drop her a line. Her address is 2928 North 83rd, Omaha, Apartment 240. It is just down the stree from where she used to live - the first block north of Maple Street. They are new apartments, so she should be quite happy.

I had a letter from Mary Line when I got back from Arkansas. She said they have had a bad winter with lots of snow and ice. Sounds from the weather report today that the midwest is in for more bad weather by tomorrow too. We have had quite a bit of cold but no rain and only one four inch snow which lasted a day. Today it is 90 and yesterday the mercury climbed to 94. Hot in anybody's language.

Charlotte, I did enjoy your Birthday card and note. You have paid the loan in full and I am only too glad to have been able to give you an assist when you needed it. I am glad, too, that you are enjoying the little car so much.

We are still not completely furnished in our new offices. The drapes are in the process of being made, and my desk as yet, has not showed up. At home Helen has new drapes for the front room and dining room, and new wall paper for the dining room. She put for new carpet in mid December. Pat made the drapes and picked out the wall paper - so you can imagine that they will be quite elegant because he spares no expense for anyone!

Pique still remembers Pat. She was very fond of him when they had her and when she sees him she always cries a little, then runs in circles like she is trying to get his entire attention! After all, we have had her six years last December and she will be eight the 25th of May.

I bought myself a new fishing reel the other day, and Ambassadeur 6000 - a real keen one but as yet haven't quite mastered the art of casting with it. I have a spinning reel, a Garcia Mitchell 300 which I like very much too. Fishing is a really great sport - I am only sorry I didn't take it up much earlier in life.

The last two times I have been over to Padre Island, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico I have been really quite fortunate catching fish. They haven't been very large, but until the new Ambassadeur reel my gear has been too light to catch anything of any size. However, if I even just catch a minnow I am happy.

My typewriter sounds like it is just about to conk out - it works fine for a little while, then sort of "flutters" instead of acting normal. Mr. Mullen just spent $40 on it. Someone has been fooling with it, and I have been raising hell about it - the touch on a typewriter is about as personal as the point of a pen in my book. And there is absolutely no reason for someone fooling with it or even using it. I have issues that ultimatum - we will see what happens!

I must get to other duties, so will bring this to a close for now. Again thanks for the lovely daffodils. Keep up your good record of writing - your letters are certainly enjoyed and appreciated.

Much, much love to each and every one of you. Hope all the family - children and grandchildren are getting along fine too. As usual, my sincere love to Margaret.

Most sincerely, Jean

P.S. Bob, what has transpired as to the N.P. RR and other or others merging? I've been watching the Wall Street Journal but haven't seen anything recently. 

Births: Mrs. & Mrs. Robert N. Johnson, a daughter

Happy Birthday, Jacque!

Graduation Congratulations to Marie

Top 20%

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She's More Entertaining Than The Television

Tacoma, Washington

Feb. 11, 1953

Dear Marie & All,

Tomorrow is your birthday; I hope you have a very happy Day!

We were so glad to hear from you at Christmas. The girls wrote you "Thank You" notes but I didn't get them mailed. I'll enclose Roxy's in this letter. Thank you for the very nice toys you sent the youngsters. And for the ice cream scoop. What a wonderful idea! I know I shall enjoy it. Thanks too for the cup and saucer set. Bob just finished a built-in desk, bookcase and record player compartment for our play room. The cups and saucers fit in so perfectly on one of the shelves. We are enjoying them muchly, and think of you.

Betty & Morgan & Randy were here for Christmas. We had a nice visit, event though they were only able to stay for just one day.

Everyone at our house is just fine. Roxy has been home with the flu for a couple of days, but otherwise we have all been well this winter. Roxy's so big, you wouldn't know her - she is almost as tall as I and weighs nearly ninety pounds - a rather chubby ninety pounds, I might add.

The three older girls take piano lessons - with relative degrees of interest, enthusiasm, and proficiency.

Mark is a cowboy and television hound. Also likes to cook. Jackie is full of fun and cute as a bug's ear. As Melody says, "She's more entertaining than the television."

The club has been operating on a "week-ends" only schedule since the first of the year. So I only work three days a week now. Bob is working at the Northern Pacific Railroad - in the office, as secretary to the Superintendent. I don't know how long it will last - seniority is so important in the railroad, and Bob has none.

Haven't heard a word from Martin, have you?

Had a letter from mom the other day. Nothing new - although she has been doing some sewing. Which is somewhat of an adjustment, I guess.

Heard from Pop at Christmas time. They sent a box of stationary - very apropos for me.

We have had a very milk winter here. The primroses and stocks have been blooming all winter. he Pachel Oil Co. ae crying the blues.

Ruth Haakenson was over yesterday and gave me a home permanent. Lynn is a slim your teen-ager with a horse,  steady beau and a sweater girl figure.

Just took time out for a Valentine treat. Margaret and Phil - my bosses at the club sent the children five huge chocolate hearts, with their names on them. This was the unveiling. Roxanne changed the name on her heart to "Daddy" and put it under his pillow for a surprise. She's not being entirely unselfish - just figure conscious. Ten years old and counts calories!

Write!

Love & Stuff.

L

I Feel Like An Old Beer Horse

October 16, 1946

Dear Marie,

Sorry to be so long in answering  just one of those cases where "tomorrow" would be a better day to write.

Thank you so much for the box of things you sent. Your black dress has been worn and worn. It is certainly comfortable and flattering.

Thank you too, so very much, for your very kind offer to come and help when the baby arrives. I especially realize how inconvenient a time it would be - Thanksgiving to pre-Christmas - such a busy season in the church. However, things seem to look like they're shaping up. Good old Betts still says she's coming up. Her doctor OK'd the idea if she were to come as "supervisor" but not to work too hard. I have a woman lined up (not absolutely definite) to come in to do the washing, possibly ironing and cleaning. Also Bob and Martin will have to assume some evening responsibility with dinner, dishes, and bedding down the small fry. And, after all, I'm not helpless. By the time you have three babies, one learns to take things much more in stride.

As usual, i have lots to do before I go to the hospital. Right now I'm making Roxanne a coat. I still have pajamas to make for everyone, some dresses to make for the baby, and sewing for the Bazaar.

Now to look over your letter - Thank you so much for your very kind offer to get shirts and nighties. I have already bought shirts, and it will have an assortment of half-worn nighties, but possibly one new one wouldn't be a bad idea. Third babies are strictly utility, you know.

Thank you for the salt and pepper shears. They're darling!

Marty was in Portland a week. I went down with the kids last month for a week too. Marty does have a good winter coat.

Just a trace of alburmen (?). I feel like an old beer horse.

Write when you can.

Love, L.

Birth Announcement...Mailed Off to War

Dependency Benefits

Note the date of the application...and the date of Melody's birthday...

...yes, she was born the day he had to leave for War

Orders to Report

A Grateful Nation

Robert Nathan Johnson (1915-1989)

Happy Father's Day!

Friday Photos: Johnson Parkland House (1968)