Category Archives: Foster

Aileen Easterly #3

2 Replies

April 4, 1946 envelope

Letter transcription:

April 4, 1946, p. 1

Los Angeles, California
April 4, 1946
Thursday afternoon 3:00

Dear Gladys:

I am so ashamed to think I haven’t answered your letter dated Feb. 20^th – I haven’t written to anyone except Mother, and that was just a note each day since I’ve come home.

Was in the hospital two weeks, came home on the 28^th of Feb. It was just 7 weeks ago today that I had the operation – am so happy that much time has passed. I won’t go into a lengthy account of it because I know how boring the stories of operations can be to others. I had two tumors, each the size of an orange, my uterus and appendix removed. Everything else was in perfect condition for which I was very thankful. The doctors and nurses were amazed because I didn’t have pain, etc., that most patients have with such an operation. Three things in particular, for instance, I urinated from the very beginning, passed gas naturally (had no pains whatsoever) and didn’t have to take laxatives. Those three things helped considerably or so they told me. What do you think Jake? However, I was awfully weak for the first 10 days – didn’t care to read or didn’t want any company. I often sent Tom home after a 10 minute visit – all I wanted to do was lie there and rest and sleep.

We had engaged a lady to care for me the first two weeks after I came from the hospital, but the minute the landlady heard of it she insisted upon nursing me. Tom cooked my breakfast and she prepared my lunch and dinner – it really worked out beautifully that way because I still couldn’t stand to have too many people around. The landlady was in and out during the day. We live in a double apartment (one bedroom) so we really couldn’t accommodate someone all the time.

April 4, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] The doctor thinks I’m getting along very well. I take 9 vitamin, and liver and iron tablets a day – should gain weight and look normal soon. I lost 10 pounds – before the operation I weighed 125, now weight about 119. I have to report to the doctor next Thursday and perhaps he will release me then. Of course I will not go to work immediately – intend to take my vacation and then ask for a month on my own time. Will possibly go back to work around June 1^st, really don’t want to go back at all – am going to give it some thought.

We are still planning on our trip East during the month of May, provided my doctor approves. Tom’s vacation is scheduled April 29^th to May 26^th inclusive. We are both looking forward to the trip and hope we won’t be disappointed by not being able to go.

Received a letter from Mother this morning saying my sister had x-rays taken and that she must be operated on immediately. The gall-bladder is in a very bad condition and has two large stones – they are afraid it might rupture. Her children now have the mumps – everything seems to happen at once.

Well Gladys, I’ll try to write to you before Tom’s vacation and let you know our definite plans – would like to see you if we do make the trip.

Love,
Aileen

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/30/aileen-easterly-3/

Letter from Jim #6

1 Reply

: February 27, 1946 envelope front

: February 27, 1946 envelope back

Letter transcription:

February 27, 1946, p. 1

27 February
In Largo

Dear Sis & Co.:

We are planning a trip to Tallahassee to see if it is possible to find a place there to live. I signed a contract with the A. C. Horn Co., manufacturers of materials for building maintenance and construction to work in twenty counties with the Florida capitol as my headquarters. The field man that interviewed me in Tampa a week ago last Sunday informed me their men make real money so after giving it some thought decided it was a good deal and signed up.

No word from Lovelock, so going on the old saying no word is good word er something. I feel maybe things have righted themselves. Here is the letter I received from the Masonic Lodge. Please return it.

We are all well and feeling fine.

Here are some pictures you may enjoy looking at.

Love Jim

Jim Foster with his aunt Lizzie (Foster) Johnson and his wife Thelma, January 1946, Largo, Florida

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/29/letter-from-jim-6/

Indiana Methodist Children’s Home

1 Reply

INDIANA METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME
Lebanon, Indiana
Phone 1015
Mrs. J. C. Coons, Supervisor

February 13, 1946

Mrs. R. S. Yegerlehner:

I received the box of Valentines and gave them out to the children this morning. They were quite pleased with them. Some of them organized a Valentine Party at once.

Thank you and the children of your Primary Department very much for your Thoughtfullness.

Very sincerely,
Mrs. J. C. Coons

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/28/indiana-methodist-childrens-home/

Orrin Jay Van Syoc

3 Replies

February 9, 1946 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 9, 1946, p. 1

9 Feb. 1946

Dear Yegerlehners,

Hope the Navy thinks the Doctor has enough points to have released him by now. Civilian life seems good even though we don’t have an income at present. The Navy released me on the 5^th of October and we parted ways on 22 November when my terminal leave was finished.

I am in dental school at the U. of M. now. Tried it once before but had to leave because of money. This time Uncle Sam promises to give me nearly enough money to see me through so if I don’t make it there will be only one reason. Gross anatomy at present is making me wonder if I will be here much longer. Do you have any intention of taking any refresher courses, doctor?

We were joined by a daughter on the 30^th of December. She weighed in at 7 lb. 10 ½ oz. and now weighs 10 lb. She seems

February 9, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] to be in good health. Jane is doing well but the diaper business is keeping her plenty busy. As yet I have not done any of it except to change one and then I was so slow that Pamela lost patience with me.

Best of health to all of you
Jane, Jay & Pamela

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/27/orrin-jay-van-syoc/

Aileen Easterly #2

1 Reply

February 9, 1946 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 9, 1946, p. 1

Los Angeles, California
February 9, 1946
Saturday morning 9:45

Dear Gladys:

Received your letter last night. Was so nice of you to answer immediately. Was curious to know what Jake would say, yet I knew the answer too. Thanks for listening to all my troubles.

This is just a note before I go downtown shopping. Everything has been arranged at the hospital and I will have the operation Thursday morning, February 14^th. What a Valentine I’ll be. The doctor asked me to report to work Monday, February 11^th just to pick up my order to enter the hospital – – I will stay home Tuesday and Wednesday to rest. Will go in the hospital Wednesday afternoon at 2:30.

My address at the hospital will be:

Mrs. Aileen Easterly
Good Samaritan Hospital
1212 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, California

I will be there two weeks or longer. Write me a little note there if you find time, will be glad to hear from you, I know.

I will write you as soon as I can again.
Love,
Aileen

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/26/aileen-easterly-2/

Letter from Jim #5

1 Reply

: January 28, 1946 envelope (front)

: January 28, 1946 envelope (back)

Letter transcription:

January 28, 1946, p. 1

Monday morning 28 January

Dear Sis & Co. –

We are here, in Florida. It is real warm. Just how long we are going to stay is a big question. I am looking for work and may take a job for a while anyway just to keep from using any of our savings. Of course I hope to get started in the kitchen plumming business after I have a chance to look over the place to make certain there is a large enough field for it here. It will take a few days to see how well we are going to like it here.

Aunt Lizzie is in very good health and of course wants us to remain here with her. She is very happy to have us so it may work out that we will be here for six months or a year.

Love Jim

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/25/letter-from-jim-5/

Romaine

2 Replies

January 27, 1946 envelope

January 27, 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

January 27, 1946

Dear Aunt Gladys –

Mother sent me your letter, and I was to answer right away about the navy blue sox. Somehow or other I always seem to put letter writing off; but I decided to get busy and write you before exams begin.

I’d like very much to have the navy blue sox – that is if you haven’t all ready given them away or something like that. If you have, that is

January 27, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] O.k.; but if not I’d appreciate them. I’m learning to knit; and so far have one mitten done. Maybe from now on I’ll be able to do my own knitting.

How’s everyone in Kentland? I went home last weekend, and everyone there is fine. In about two weeks our semester will be over and we’ll all be getting a two week’s vacation. I’m really looking forward to that.

Well, I must get busy. It’s almost

[page 3] time for dinner, and I’m not ready.

Thanks again, Aunt Gladys, for all the things you’ve knitted for me.

Love,
Romaine

January 27, 1946, p. 3

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/07/24/romaine/

Aileen Easterly

2 Replies

January 26, 1946 envelope

January 26, 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Los Angeles, California
January 26, 1946
Saturday morning 11:30

Dear Gladys:

Received your letter dated January 1 and enjoyed all the news immensely. So happy for all of you that Jake is home for good now. Wish he could have visited us while he was here on the coast, but S.F. is 500 miles from L.A. and that would have been so far out of his way. Too bad about the fire in his new offices – – do hope the repair job won’t take too long. The way conditions are these days with help and equipment so difficult to get, one never knows what to expect.

The new restaurant sounds interesting and it really is a pleasure to entertain that way occasionally. I manage to cook dinner every night from Monday to Thursday inclusive, but Tom works Friday night, and then on Saturday we have a big pot of some kind of soup. Sunday is our day out – – we usually try a new place, go alone or with friends, and we enjoy it, especially after putting in such a full week of hard work.

I’m sure your Christmas was exciting because of David – – I can just imagine how thrilled he was with everything. John and Mark will always wee that it is interesting for David. Christmas doesn’t mean so much unless there are children around to enjoy it.

We are having such beautiful weather – – I’m sitting in the kitchen next to the window with my back to the sun (window wide open too) and how I love it. I don’t feel at all well today, so perhaps the sun will pep me up a bit.

Well, I might as well tell you about myself now. You probably thought I was going to have a baby, but no such good luck for me. I think I told you about the bad case of diarrhea I had last May, well, I had another such attack in November. Our company doctor gave me a thorough physical examination, thinking perhaps it might be my appendix causing the trouble. The appendix apparently is alright, but he did discover a fibroid tumor the size of a grapefruit around the uterus. He said no doubt it had been growing for years and asked me when I first noticed any discomfort from it. I haven’t felt well for about three years, but thought I was going through the change. Sometimes I would skip a month at my periods and then I seemed to cramp continuously, almost every day. I’m at the point now where I feel so low both mentally and physically that I just make myself do things. And of course my job at the office hasn’t helped me any either. There are three of us in our division now (450 on our pay roll) and I’m sorta in charge, a little more prestige, but a great big headache. There are 4,000 in the company, but the other employees are on another pay roll because they are in the districts. Ours is the General Office. We even had to work New Year’s Eve and all day on New Year’s.

January 26, 1946, p. 2

[page 2] Our Chief Surgeon said I should have the operation soon. I decided to help out at the office during December and January, the two worst months of the year. I have consented to the operation and will perhaps be in the hospital around February 6^th or 7^th. Our Chief Surgeon has been with our company for 25 years and is claimed to be the best in the City, so I have a lot of confidence in him. All hospitalization will be paid also my two months sick leave. After that I plan to take three months leave of absence on my own time without pay. If everything turns out as we have planned Tom and I will make a trip east perhaps during the month of June.

I am curious what Jake thinks of the operation – – does he approve. Maybe I have no alternative! The doctor said the tumor has kept me from getting pregnant. Is that true? I say that I have confidence in our doctor yet I ask Jake his opinion. Silly, isn’t it? That’s just like a woman.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you when you find time to write. I know how busy you must be, with all your family at home now.

Love,
Aileen

News from Wilma Bryan

2 Replies

: January 14, 1946 (front)

: January 14, 1946 (back)

Letter transcription:

Dear Mrs. Yegerlehner,

Patricia received the lovely little shoes a few days ago. They had been sent to Brownwood. I’m sure they were your handiwork. They are the prettiest I’ve seen.

We have a big fence around our yard. Mary Lynn loves to learn all the gate latches. Still a “tomboy.” But wants to help wash dishes, cook, and in general do everything about the place. Here’s hoping that helpful attitude continues.

Was so sorry to hear about Dr. office burning. – Hope he is all back in order by now.

Patricia still the good girl.

The weather here has been mostly sunshine, except a tornado in the eastern part of the state. Would like to see some snow.

Love,
Wilma

[Editor’s note: The WWII collection contains the birth announcement for Patricia Bryan. It can be found here.]

Letter from Aunt Jessie

1 Reply

: January 3, 1946 envelope (front)

: January 3, 1946 envelope (back)

Letter transcription:

January 3, 1946, p. 1

Dear Gladys and Roscoe –

I am sending, parcel post, a box containing ties, socks and underwear. Now you may not wish to wear such but – if you have any feeling about this please give them to someone. I shall understand. I know you do not need such but I preferred you whom Silvester admired