Category Archives: Yegerlehner

Two Day Letter (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of these started on Sat. finished later letters. If you would rather I’d write each day even though they don’t go out let me know but I know this one or rather Sat. mail is held over so that is how it stands.

To begin with there was no mail today so that topic for subject matter can be dropped without further ado.

This being Sat. you remember how I used to talk about inspection and beans. Well, we didn’t have inspection nor did we have beans. Since I’ve arrived here I think I haven’t missed a morning or at

[page 2] least very few when I didn’t have eggs. Or rather egg. At first I ate two but usually now it is only one and a slice of toast. Sometimes just some dry cereal. Milk is the only thing we have for on the cereal but due to the fact that I don’t use cream anymore for my coffee I slip a little of the coffee cream into my cereal. Now you might think I use sugar in my coffee but that is out also. It’s peculiar how this black coffee came about or maybe not so peculiar. You see at first we had no screens around out mess halls and the cream & sugar was placed on the table ahead of schedule and the flies would

[page 3] be thick on both and I decided to just drink it black and now neither taste good hence the black coffee. Is that good reason? Anyway that is the way it is. Maybe I’ve told you that before. Just between you & I that is a lot of “crap” to be writing in a letter but it is all I can think of and that just happened to somehow pop into my mind. So much for Sat –

SUN JAN. 16, 1943

Just finished writing to the folks and will try to pick p yesterday’s but after re-reading I don’t know if it is worthwhile to pick up the topic of Sat.’s.

The weather here is unusually dry – according to the natives. They say it is dryer than it has been for several years. The grass is all burned brown and the

[page 4] dust is pretty bad. Most of the time the wind blows and that really brings the dust into the room. It gets a little thick on things but that doesn’t matter. Sometimes one wonders if the Japs and Germans bother about dust and also if they fret and stew about things like we do. I have an idea they have their ups & downs only I hope they have more downs than ups.

Well Dear for two days this isn’t much of a letter but that doesn’t mean that for the two days I haven’t thought of you often because you really come in and claim lots of thoughts – more than you will ever know –

Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/10/two-day-letter-roscoe/

Warmer Than Usual (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Sat. evening – have been busy all day – It was warmer than usual or I mean it is unusually warm and I got started washing windows on the outside and couldn’t stop – I washed the car and Mark watered the evergreens. It has been so dry this winter and now that the ground isn’t frozen I thought it would be a good idea to give the shrubbery some water, especially the new tree. We had David out in the yard this morning a while and again this afternoon. He does enjoy being out in the open spaces. Jimmy Ed is still recuperating from the flu and hasn’t been out in the spring-like weather. Lucile went with me to see Clarice in the Watseka Hospital and she said she wasn’t going to take him out for a few days. They got a sun lamp just for Jimmy and he had sun baths every day. I felt a little badly about not having one for us to use but David seems to get along just as well. However I still wish we had one. Do you think they are of any value? Ed just happened to find the one they have – they can’t be bought just anywhere now. Like so many other things – none for the duration – unless you are lucky enough to find one someone doesn’t want.

The hospital is full and they had a

[page 2] bed in the hall. Clarice was in a double room. She was feeling fine except for her breasts. She is one of rate persons capable of feeding an infant. The new boy is named John F. He weighed 8-9 – quite a sizeable baby. Clarice is coming home Mon. They still have the 8 day rule. After see [saw] C., we went to see Mrs. R. There is an artist at Joe’s station and he made a portrait of Joe and painted a snap shot and made a greeting folder with it for Christmas. Joe is still hoping to come home at the end of 18 mo. I hope that ruling holds for you too.

Do you remember Dick Simons? He is in the Merchant Marines and is home for a 30 day leave. He just returned from the Pacific. Said they were in N.Z., N.C., and Island north. Said they unloaded gas in the Russells and Florida. He was in Tulagi. He seemed to know quite a bit about Wellington, N.Z. I asked him if he knew you and he said he did. He is Johnny Simon’s brother (Elsaleah’s boyfriend).

Yours of Jan. 3 & 4 came today. So glad you rec’d the pictures. I had another roll I’ll start taking with now. You should receive two more groups of pictures I sent out in Dec. The one (3) is of David in a folder. I do want you to get it.

This warm spell has about ruined the skating at the pond. I told Mark he couldn’t go now because it’s too warm to be safe.

It’s about time to get supper started and I am hungry, after all the day’s activity.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/09/warmer-than-usual-gladys/

Lots of Questions Answered (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Lots of questions were answered today because there was a bunch of Oct. mail. A letter from Dr. Cole, two air mail from you and a letter from Wayne W., a v-mail from The Brewers, a v-mail each from John & Mark and a birthday greeting from the boys. That particular bunch of mail must have been on the wandering order. It, of course, went to the old address and was then sent to Mob. 4 and then on to here.

I can understand why you didn’t mention anything about

[page 2] expenses of your mother’s funeral. I knew you had some policies but I thought those were turned over to someone or something when she got that pension. I guess if the insurance wasn’t enough Bob will hold off until we can pay. Hope I don’t worry you too much about expenses.

Right at the end of one of your letters you said something again about me writing a book. That has been so long ago I, of course, have no idea about what I wrote. You will of course note that my letters from here are different. Which is very easily explained. There are too many Drs. around. Where I was before I was the only one and the other officers had work to do

[page 3] and there was hours on end when I was alone but here someone is barging in most of the time or I’m barging on to someone else so without thought you can see the difference in ideas formulated, and anyway I don’t remember anything I wrote that was worthy of note. Maybe I was a little off that day.

Writing a book would be something but having someone else read it is another thing. You see you read my letters not for the same reason that most people read books and just incidentally pick up here and there a little something that might be catchy but that

[page 4] wouldn’t interest many people. Anyway I haven’t written one as yet and I doubt it very much if I ever will because my thinker doesn’t work that good.

The envelopes I’m using now are the ones Dave Mace sent me last Christmas. I mean Christmas a year ago. They were stored with my stuff when I went you know where.

Well, I guess I’ve about run down again so for now, Solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

P.S. Ed Johnson’s v-mail letter also came today.

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/08/lots-of-questions-answered-roscoe/ ‎

Local News (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-14-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but two letters yesterday. Rec’d a letter from Jewell with a picture of Dot’s baby Janey – she is about a month younger than D. Jewell and Uncle Geo. had been to Roscoe Snedeker’s funeral. They had seen mom & dad. Jewell said she thought mom didn’t look so good but mom had the flu pretty hard so I imagine she doesn’t look so good as she did last fall. I wish we have gone there for Christmas but I was afraid to risk the trip at this time of the year.

No school today due to exams being over and teachers grading papers. J. & M. have been steel wooling the floors today. Buddy was here to spend the night and at breakfast Mark began to make plans for the day when I told him what I had planned. In “nothing flat” Buddy decided he must go see his mother and off he went to the restaurant. After he left Mark said, “Did you notice how quickly he decided to go when you mentioned working on the floors?” We have been doing the house today. After changing the beds, I cleaned the upstairs and John started the washing and after doing the lunch dishes I decided I needed a little rest so am writing to catch up so I can clean up the mess on the floors the steel wool makes. This job is pretty monotonous but seems to be necessary ever so often. – – Pause. I stopped writing to help with the floor work – we have stopped cleaning for the day. David woke up so I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – It has turned so much warmer. Mark is out in the yard entertaining David with his football. Bobby

[page 2] is out there now so David should be well entertained. It is so much warmer today I didn’t have to wrap David up so much. He have has a large blanket that was given to him last year that I kept nice and when I take him out on very cold days I wrap the blanket all around him up to his chin. – Mark just brought him in – Mark saw the others going to the pond to skate and couldn’t stand it. It’s much warmer but not warm enough yet to melt the ice yet. However if this keeps up it won’t take long.

I was looking over the Newton Co. E. for news items to include but see none I think would interest you. However I heard that Harold Portteus had an operation for hernia this week. I suppose he is in the hospital at Watseka. Clarice is there and I had thought about driving over to see her. Have to go to Sheldon for meat and it wouldn’t take much longer to run on over to Watseka.

I have never thought to mention about Bair’s niece Mary Eldeen, the girl they raised. She had a new baby last Oct. and is just now out of the hospital. Had to have a few blood transfusions. She has a baby about two years old and her trouble this time dates back to the first birth. I don’t know just what the trouble was but for a while she didn’t improve and Bair’s were awfully worried about her. Her husband is in Service and she is living with Bairs.

You wondered about Dr. Van. I mentioned him a time or two but you must have not rec’d those letters. I don’t know whether he knows me or not but I know him when I see him. One day I was downtown and saw Laura Milligan. She and John were in town visiting – John was enroute to the West Coast and I understand he is now in the Pacific someplace, but that is beside the story. I was chatting with Laura – I had been to the P.O. and she was going

[page 3] toward the highway and we happened to meet in front of Dr. V. office – While we were talking he came out and when he saw Laura he spoke to her – he gave her the once over and said something about her figure. – It rather amused me – I just thought he evidently is just like the stories depict him to be. Always an eye open for a good looking woman. I do think Laura is attractive. She seemed so glad to see me and asked about you. I asked what John’s work is and I understand he is boss of the ground crews – mechanics, or whatever they are called. I think that is the same work Harlan Parr does. The Parrs spent the summer in Fla. Were sent to Michigan in Dec. and now are in N.Y. – or were. I really couldn’t say where they are now.

Maybelle Towers wondered if you might be near Emery – however they aren’t sure of his location – except in the S.W. Pacific. She said they thought he was in Samoa.

Bill Schuh had pneumonia and now has rheumatic fever. Babe is taking care of him at her home in Brook. He & Tony were in the hospital at the same time. Tony had a gall bladder operation.

Here I sit and write when I should be out of doors – should do my writing at night. I have been having headaches again. I think it’s partly due to being inside so much. I still like warmer weather best. At least I can get out for a breath of fresh air without chilling in warmer weather. Well I think I would like the winter here if you were home, but I seem to tire of winter this year more than usual. So much for the weather, as you used to say, took a good beating.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/07/local-news-gladys-2/ ‎

Laundry Hanging Around (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
1-13-44

Dear Mother,

After I finished writing yesterday I thought there would be a P.S. to add regarding more mail but there was none for me. It was all mail for persons who had been transferred from other islands and most of my mail in that class is now thru those areas.

I still have some of my laundry hanging around the room from yesterday. It would have been dry if I’d left the radiator on all night but that makes it a little too warm and there is no particular hurry. We should have a line outside but with reconstruction going on in the yard I’m afraid the dust would be pretty thick on the laundry before it could dry because

[page 2] this wind sure whips around the corners and over the knobs. This AM there was a slight sprinkle but not enough to make any impression on the dust.

I’ve read that double talk over that you wrote from the radio program but can’t seem to make much headway. If I had the tune and could hear the words it would probably make sense. Or would it?

Just stopped to read the Newton Co. E. – Sept. 9 issue that came day before yesterday. I must have been lost in the Christmas rush plus the change of address rush. It’s surprising how much real news there isn’t in the paper. I don’t mean to be an old meanie, but, for example, the personal & society – a visit here, a vacation

[page 3] there – well alright then it is news – I’m having a terrific argument with myself and I’m not sure who is winning, anyway there still isn’t much news in those papers. You always give me the cream of the news but maybe yours is the first edition and this paper is the full account.

Tue. night I heard parts of a Jack Benny program which was pretty good. It had been a long time since I’d heard him so maybe that was why I liked it.

This is before mail time so I’ll stop and maybe be able to add more – I hope.

Later. No mail so
Solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/06/laundry-hanging-around-roscoe/ ‎

House Paint (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 13 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Two letters today, of Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, and Jan. 2. I can’t understand why you got some of the boxes for Christmas but not ours. Of course there wasn’t much in either box but just the idea of sending gifts.

It is clear and cold again today. The temp. was 4° above in Chicago this a.m. However it isn’t that cold here now because the sunshine has warmed things up somewhat. I will be glad for spring so we can get out more. I have been taking David out every day since he recovered from his cold. He gets so restless after his nap if he doesn’t get to go out. We went over to see Jimmy Ed yesterday. He is about over the flu but can’t go out yet. He is over it enough that I wasn’t afraid to take David in. They have such a good time together. It was so much fun for David to play with Jimmy’s things for a change. He seems to tire of his own so quickly and is usually nosing around trying to find something he shouldn’t have.

We had fried chicken for lunch and I gave him a bone to chew on. He seemed to think that was the best thing he had had lately. I got two frys from Zells. They had an order to dress 30 for the NuJoy. However, I dressed the ones I bought.

The Foulkes are away on a trip thru the East. Coke said Harold had to go on business

[page 2] and she was going too. I saw Herman Diedam at their house so I presume he is redecorating while they are away. Our walls could stand a coat or two of paint but I am not planning to do anything to them yet. The paint Sandy used on the outside must not have been the best because it is peeling off in places. I noticed some spots on Funks house that is doing the same. I think Sandy painted for them too. Link had Chet Hall paint his house last summer. There were large spots that the paint had chipped off down to the boards. I watched Chet paint and decided there might be things he could do better because I didn’t think he did a very smooth job. However, with the man power shortage getting more acute all the time, we can’t be too “choosy” about help.

Had a long letter from Marie. Isla has been ill. At first they thought she had T.B. but later decided it was thyroid. She had flu strep and took sulfa and that was wrong for her. Dr. Maurer is treating her now trying to get her over her thyroid trouble without surgery. David still isn’t so good. He and his mother are in Ark. Now and Isla’s husband is running the shop. Marie said they hadn’t heard from you for a long time, but hadn’t written so didn’t expect to hear. When we were there in Oct., I thought David looked bad. He says he feels better now but Marie says she is worried about him.

I am enclosing a clipping from the Democrat of David’s picture. You should have the original picture by now.

Nick & Dorothy went to Chi. Today and Buddy is coming here to stay and spend the night.
Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/05/house-paint-gladys/

Getting Forgetful (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 12, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m getting forgetful. I forgot whether or not I added a P.S. to my letter yesterday telling you your Christmas package came – It did. This time it was in pretty good condition but the contents could be seen without opening the box. In other words the ends were very ragged. The chicken bones are all melted into one huge chunk but still within the paper. And why the alcohol and tobacco chasers? I haven’t opened much of it yet. The chewing gum is the best article. The wafers are good – really surprisingly crisp but I’ve lost practically all my taste

[page 2] for sweets. Just the very smallest bit of sweet is enough so I’ll have candy enough to last all year long. One of the officers who was ordered from here gave me a pound box of candy weeks before Christmas and most of it is still in the box and Floyd & Ruth sent some and it is practically intact. I’ll wait a few weeks and put it out in the ward room and it won’t last long but I know I’ll never eat it, unless I get more of a sweet tooth than at present. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful about the gift. The hankies were fine. I am a little short on those and they will fix me up about right.

I wrote Joe Roberts a letter last  night and will try to answer

[page 3] another of those long unanswered letters today. I have an awful time now trying to figure which one I should answer.

I did some laundry this P.M. Last Thurs. I sent my khaki shirts & pants to the laundry as well as 5 pairs of underware trunks, and today I washed 9 pairs of trunks and 16 pair of socks – don’t ask me where all the things came from. I still have 5 clean pair of trunks and one pair on so that makes a total of 20 pair and approx. 2 doz. pair of socks. I still don’t wear any undershirts so don’t have to worry about that part of the laundry. White shirts are no problem because they are not worn enough. Just to weddings or special things which

[page 4] are far and few between for me. And one shirt will last thru several engagements.

Before I forget it I don’t think it’s necessary to file an income tax return this year but again Agnes M. knows more about the laws and if she thinks necessary go ahead. All we get for sure on the tax problem is scuttlebutt, but there is something about this year & last year or something so let me know what you do.

Don’t run yourself too short on buying bonds as I won’t be able to send too much money extra on account of saving it for travel. Maybe I’m being optimistic but it never is wrong to plan ahead – For now Dear that is all –

Love Daddy

P.S. Thanks for the Christmas present.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/04/getting-forgetful-roscoe/

Full of Pep and Getting Restless (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-12-44

Dear Daddy –

Another clear cold winter day. It was 3° above in Chicago this a.m. I have been taking David out for an airing every day but am afraid it’s too cold today – He still has a hang on cough from his cold two weeks ago. He is full of pep and getting restless. He is so used to going out in his buggy he wants to go. John is home today due to exams and his exemptions and has decided David is a full day’s work. I told him David has been more restless today than ordinarily. Mark came home at noon with the report that his exams were going fine. I see the skaters going toward the pond all the time. As they finish their exams, they can leave school and it looks like a large number are in our end of town.

The Hufty’s have a new boy – born day before yesterday. Haven’t heard the name yet. I didn’t stop to see Joy yesterday, but saw her the day before. She is two weeks old now.

I mentioned Irene in a v-mail I wrote yesterday. I knew she had been going to a Dr. in Chicago who told her she had thyroid and was going to treat her with X-Ray. Someone told

[page 2] her the treatments could ruin her throat. She went to another Dr. The new Dr. told her she didn’t have thyroid trouble and didn’t need an operation. She went to the hospital for that purpose. She is still in the hospital having tests made. I stopped at the house one day this week and Mrs. James gave me the above information. From all I could learn about Irene’s trip to Mayo, there wasn’t anything they found wrong. However, I didn’t ask any questions, but from things she said I gathered that much.

Mark is home from school and he & John are in a monopoly game in the kitchen. Mark is very confident about his exams. Hope he is right.

Your mother sent us a box of noodles. She must have made an angel food cake and made noodles with the yolks.

I don’t know whether to take David out or not. He sure is getting in everybody’s hair, but he is used to being out of doors this time of day.

Duff Telby said Tom is back in the States and waiting for a furlough to come home.

Had a letter from Jim and he is still in Camp Peary. Doesn’t know how long he will be there. I am beginning to think for the duration. That is “OK” – I don’t envy them their good fortune but do wish, well you know what I am wishing – and believe it can’t be long now.

I must go to town and get some groc. We have to eat – and since groc. delivery is only on certain days I just go to town and get what we need. Have to go to the P.O. every day anyway.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcription by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/03/full-of-pep-and-getting-restless-gladys/

The Letters That Came Yesterday (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-11-44

Dear Mother,

I’ll try to say a few words about your letters that came yesterday. First of all it seems your air mail stamps on D’s pictures didn’t work because as yet those pictures haven’t arrived but the snaps of D. & Jimmie did arrive. It always seems when you write of an emergency that letter is delayed. The one telling about your mother just arrived yesterday.

I’m afraid I can’t make out much of that song you sent which you said was going around. In other word it doesn’t make sense to me but maybe it’s not supposed to.

Now about finances. What I

[page 2] really wanted was the final bank balance. I’m glad to get those other figures as they do give me, as you said, food for thought, but you need not go to all the trouble sending too many figures. I don’t quite understand what the $6.60 for tax was for. I just don’t seem to be able to figure that one out. The tax we pay to the county locally are or were taken care of in the house payments – so that really does give me food for thought.

I guess you got the word about those shoes you loaned. I really got a kick out of your answer – very cleverly put I’d say, but we will talk that over in due time.

Your community letter. I mean the one written at

[page 3] Christmas time with all the signatures was interesting. It brought me greeting more or less from the entire gang. I sure was glad to hear that you could all be together.

Just got a letter from John v-mail – thanking me for the Christmas present.

It has been so cool here lately – I’ve been wearing a sweater – gotten from the Red Cross – under my jacket. The wind must be directly off those mountains with snow that you were trying to locate while you were at Mutch’s. I’ll agree with you – most of our maps of this place are small so you probably couldn’t find too much, but even now, I can’t

[page 4] write much about all the surroundings. Not as much as I’d like to. In fact the mountains are fine but give me some level prairie for a change. I think I’d appreciate that lots. But I’ve said all that before so why bring it up again. However as I’ve said before it’s interesting writing & talking material.

Well, I’ll possibly read reread those letters again and make more comments later –

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/02/the-letters-that-came-yesterday-roscoe/

The Center of the Household (Gladys)

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1944-01-11 (GRY)Letter transcripton:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-11-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but had three letters yesterday. It remains clear and cold but not too cold to take David out. He is taking his nap now. Gets along fine now without a thumb to go to sleep with. I was washing windows today and he tried to help – splash water. He gets such a thrill when J. & M. come home from school. They always talk to him and make a fuss over him when they come home. John says the household revolves around David – and I suppose that is natural. John says he won’t have to take any exams so won’t have to go to school the rest of this week. The grade school doesn’t have exemptions so Mark will have to go as usual, tho school will be out Fri. for grading papers. David’s picture will be in the Democrat this week. He is the only child in the group whose Daddy is in the service. I’ll send you a clipping so you can see the publicity before the whole paper gets to you. I stopped at Staton’s yesterday to see how the family was. Mrs. J. told me Irene went to another Dr. and he told her she had no thyroid trouble at all – and that they can’t find anything wrong. She is still in a hospital in Chicago having tests made. The last time I saw her she seemed to feel fine. She did have the flu but got over it better than her Mother did.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/01/the-center-of-the-household-gladys/