Tag Archives: Clara (Steiner) Yegerlehner

Aunt Clara

Letter transcription:

Jan. 24-1966

Dear David & Bonnie,

I wrote you this a.m. and wouldn’t be writing now, but Aunt Clara passed away today, and I thought you should know. I went to Wilmington this afternoon to get Aunt Ruth. I called Mark & John. John is between semesters now, so he is coming home tomorrow and [will] go with us to C.C. Wed. to the funeral. Incidentally John has to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled soon. I didn’t give him much encouragement

[page 2] about the after effects. In reading your letter again, it is the Magic Flute you want and not Figaro—or would want Figaro also—it is a beautiful opera.

Dad is having trouble with the leased car and had to drive my car this a.m.—and he is at the hospital on a baby case. Garnette is going to give me a lift this afternoon—to the bank and dentist office (I think I cracked a tooth last week) if John doesn’t get home in time for me to use his car.

[page 3] Last night when I talked to Mark the stock hadn’t made an appearance yet, but is due any time now. They are really enjoying the record player.

Did we tell you we have tickets to Hello, Dolly—May 5, and the name of the picture we mentioned is “Cat Balleau” with Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin, plus a few others. It was around last fall and I would guess you have missed it unless it returns to the small neighborhood theatres.

Love Mother

[page 4] Please see you Prof. about the trip to Holy Land and let me know.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/01/aunt-clara/

Christmas is Coming

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Thurs. Dec. 16, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

The wrapping room (wherever you want it) will be open when you come home. I talked to Mark last night and he said he thought they might have Christmas for the children before they come down Christmas Eve and though you wouldn’t mind sleeping a little longer. However, I think he plans to be here by noon. He said the children were quite excited about Christmas. He was telling me that Kirk has a memory like an elephant. He had promised Kirk he could have some eggnog before going to bed, but for some reason he didn’t get it and went to bed in a sulk. At six o’clock the next morning Mark had to go the bathroom with him and although he was groggy with sleep he said, “You wouldn’t give me any eggnog last night,” or something to that effect. I said, “Why do you have to get up and go to the bathroom with him?” Mark said he thought at that hour he was so groggy he might fall in if he didn’t go with him and another reason, he is too short to reach the stool. I think you will agree he is pretty cute. (fond grandmother speaking)

My Christmas cards haven’t come, but I found some Christmas correspondence cards from last year, so have written to the McGraws (Louise bought another wood carving for me in Singapore and I wanted to send her some money). Also wrote to the Mercurios, the Easterlys, the Moores and a few others. Marie Mace has remarried and we received a card from her today—Mrs. Don. Shewmaker.

I don’t remember whether I wrote you about Aunt Clara, but she isn’t very good. I am afraid from the way she looked when we were down there and from what was going on—she is losing so much weight and can’t keep her food down—or couldn’t when we were there, that she isn’t going to get better.

I want to make it to the P.O. before it closes, so must get this ready to mail. We are going to Country Club tonight to a party for Hospital. Dad is making a Lazy Susan for Lea’s table. He just started on it today, but I think he will get it finished before they come home.

Will be looking for you some time Christmas Eve.

Love Mother

P.S. I can’t remember whether there was a letter enclosed with the Echlin information.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/25/christmas-is-coming/

Thanksgiving Week

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. 29-1965

Dear David and Bonnie –

I am writing again in Wilmington. Will spend the night here and then go home in the morning. We have had a full week. Last Tuesday we went back to Kentland—stopping in Kankakee to shop and eat. It was about 4 PM when we reached Kentland, so after a short siesta I went to the office and after we had dinner I was ready to fold. Wed. we started preparing food for the homecoming. John came home about 2:30. Lea & Bob came in time for dinner. Mark, Shirley & children arrived later in the evening. Lea & Bob left to go to Bob’s parents in the afternoon (Thurs). M. & S. stayed until Fri. afternoon. John left to return to Champaign after church

[page 2] Sunday. Dad & Aunt Ruth & I went to Clay City to attend the Alumni Tea. None of the Yegerlehners were there, so we went out to see Clarence. Aunt Clara is not well. She had an operation for cancer last summer and also had cobalt treatments. In Sept. Clarence and Clara visited Aunt Ruth & Clara seemed fine. They had stopped to see us, but that was while we were away. Aunt Ruth was quite surprised to see how thin Clara is. Uncle Clarence told Dad she isn’t able to retain her food much of the time. We went on down to see Ralph & Faye. Faye said she is quite upset over Clara’s condition. Evidently from what Faye told us the cancer wasn’t all removed. I have never seen Clara as thin as she is now. Just a shadow of her former self.

[page 3] Duane has a church in Rockford, Ill. now. He was in Shelbyville, Ind.

We stopped in Brazil to see Vic & Beulah. They told us Marie had been married recently. I called her and she and her new husband, Mr. Shewmaker, came to Vic & Beulah’s to see us. All in all we had a very nice day, except for seeing Aunt Clara in such a poor condition.

Today I made statements and mailed them as we were ready to leave town. Aunt Ruth folded them and stuffed envelopes. I ran the amount on the adding machine and when I showed Aunt Ruth how much it amounted to, she said she could see why I would spend a day making them. (Not that we will collect one third of the amount.)

[page 4] Mrs. Myers didn’t get to spend Thanksgiving with us. She was upset and couldn’t eat. I went to see her the next day and she was feeling much better. She was looking in a Sears catalogue and wanted to order a bathrobe. I told her not to buy anything until after Christmas. I found one that I thought was quite pretty at Ashton’s, so bought it for her for Christmas. I was wondering what I would give her—now I have that taken care of. I think she is going to have to go to a nursing home because I think she shouldn’t be alone. I think she is thinking that way herself now. I have had a full day, so think I will soon take a bath & retire.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/23/thanksgiving-week/

The Funeral

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

9-1-64

Dear David & Bonnie –

The past week has been rather full. Mark & Shirley left Kirk with us Monday. He got quite attached to John and John to him. Friday night Aunt Ruth called and told us Uncle Earl had passed away. Floyd came Sat. a.m. and went over to be with Aunt Ruth. Tye & Romaine couldn’t get there until Sat. evening. They drove. Sunday Steve brought Aunt Ruth here and in the afternoon we drove to Wilmington. Friday afternoon Shirley & Mark came back to get Kirk and he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to have anything to do with them. Shirley said she thought he was mad at them for leaving him. Lea & Bob came the same day, so we had a family reunion for a little while. Lea & Bob stayed but M. & S. took Kirk and went to get Becky. They are coming back today. John just left to go to Champaign with his car loaded. He bought about

[page 2] $200.00 worth of household goods, and took most of his things on this trip.

Yesterday we attended the funeral. Dad & John went to Wilmington Mon. a.m. So many of the Clay City relatives were there, Clarence, Clara, Ralph, Kenneth, Mary Lois, Duane & Joan and a number of Mutchler relatives. Since I had been with Aunt Ruth the better part of one week (Aug. 18 to 21) and had gone over Sunday afternoon, John & I came back home shortly after the funeral was over. Some of the relatives didn’t arrive until just before the funeral so they stayed longer. Ruth & Floyd stopped here on their way home at about 7:30 and they said they were the last to leave. Tye & Romaine were gong to stay in Wilmington a day or two.

I have to give a program at Williamsport tonight and as of this minute haven’t decided what I will give and before Mark & his family get here I think I had better get my program ready. M. & S. are going to be here until Thurs. then they are going back home (to mow lawn, etc.). Mark has a new job with All American Ins. & Casualty in Park Ridge – which will be closer home than his present job.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/09/the-funeral/

Thanksgiving Plans

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Letter postmarked the day Kennedy was killed 11-22-63

Letter transcription:

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
146 W. Graham Street
Kentland, Indiana
Nov. 21 – 1963

Dear David –

I banked $200.00 for you this week (so you can keep your accounts straight).

Floyd, Ruth & Steve are coming up, for Thanksgiving and Ruth and Earl will come over if someone can go get them. I thought since you and Bonnie would be coming home on Wed. evening you could go over to Wilmington Thurs. morning and get them. I hope that is agreeable with you.

Dad has gone to the hospital on a baby case and I should be getting to bed but want to do a few things yet.

I am to take Mrs. Myers to the dentist tomorrow afternoon and told her I would take her grocery shopping after she gets through. I think she seemed a little disappointed when I told her we wouldn’t have anyone here for Christmas. Maybe we can plan to bring her here for dinner sometime before Christmas. If possible we will go to Chicago for the day.

Clarence & Clara and two of Kenneth’s girls came last Thurs. so Clarence could hunt pheasant. He hunted but didn’t

[page 2] have any luck. This morning a beautiful cock pheasant strutted around our front yard. Too bad Clarence wasn’t here today.

We will be looking for you Wed. evening.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/19/thanksgiving-plans/

Travel Plan Changes

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
146 West Graham Street
Kentland, Indiana
Nov. 2, 1963

Dear David –

Bill brought the desk blotters and the calendar this morning. I took a blotter to Mrs. M. She seemed very pleased. She has several things in her living room she has added since you left: a new chair, a new t.v., magazine rack and some art objects. I suppose you know H. Funk bought the hotel and Dick & Marge Ryan are running it. They are also running an Insurance business where Harold used to have his office. Harold is back in his own building.

Rosemary Murphy is working with the 7^th & 8^th grace children in our church. I thought she needed the class room Bible Study class was using, so by vote of my class they decided to go to the kitchen. Rosemary is promoting a camp project for next summer. Three of the boys in her class are working on our driveway edge to earn something to go into the camp fund. Before the three boys came here the entire group had earned $25.00 today. I said something to Dad not long ago about working on the driveway and he said he wasn’t interested. He took up the geraniums yesterday for some nurses at the hospital. He said since we would be gone this winter he wouldn’t try to keep them – He didn’t have much success last year.

I had sub-district meetings this week and I am glad they are over. I also finished a study class I was teaching at Raub. Clarence & Clara stopped last Saturday on their way to Ruth M.’s Just as they were leaving Floyd & Steve came. They had just come from Ruth’s. Floyd & Steve had spent a few days in Chicago. Ruth had intended to go with them, but Ruth couldn’t get off from work.

[page 2] We had a very successful UNICEF drive last Tuesday night – another item in a busy week. We had a very good response from children and parents and I mailed a check to U.S. Commission for UNICEF for $189.15 – $32.00 more than last year.

We may have to change the time when we visit Bonnie’s parents. Since the government of Indonesia has broken diplomatic relations with Singapore we may not be able to fly from there to Djakarta and if we have to go from Hong Kong to Djakarta we will definitely have to change dates. John is having his vacation Feb. 8 to 23 so it may have to be after that time that we go to Malacca. We will probably know more about it when you come home Thanksgiving.

Love Mother

P.S. It was nice hearing from you Oct. 26.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/17/travel-plan-changes/

Sprained Muscle

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – Handwritten by David]
146 W. Graham Street
October 10, 1961

Dear David:

So much has happened since I last took time to write to you. I can’t remember where to begin. The last week in Sept. I attended four meetings in Veedersburg, Oxford, Stidham and Delphi. I would leave home between 7 and 8 o’clock each day and be home by four or 4:30. Two days I left the meetings after the morning sessions and was home a little earlier. One day Clarence and Clara came at about six o’clock. They were going to attend the Progress show at Rensselaer the next day and couldn’t find a place to stay, so came here. I had just opened a can of soup and was thawing some hamburger, but changed my menu and had steaks and a few other thinks that made a fairly decent meal. We showed John’s pictures after dinner and since they wanted to get away early the next day went to bed early. Dad had to leave to go to the hospital, so he left just as we were ready to go to bed. Clarence & Clara got up so quietly the next morning, I just heard them as they closed the front door (5:30). Last week I was getting so much done on Monday and Tuesday (had taxes to figure, month-end book work to do, etc.) getting ready to take care of Becky from Thurs. to Sunday. Tuesday evening I unfortunately sprained the muscle in my right arm and had a rather painful time – couldn’t sleep because of the pain – for several days. I was so happy to have Becky with us, but was sorry I had to feel so uncomfortable while she was here. Sunday I decided to stay home because it was too hard on my sore arm to try to get in and out of the car with Becky. Putting her in the car seat was more than can be done with one arm. Rev. Fields took my S.S. class. My arm felt much better yesterday morning and I did a little too much in the way of using my arm and last night had a bad time again. I didn’t sleep very well after 4 o’clock. I am going to get another diathermy treatment this morning. Jo has quit working for Esta. She is working for Mingles at their factory in Goodland. Mark and Shirley got their moving done and took their refrigerator. The apartment they now have isn’t new and required a lot of cleaning and painting. Becky has a room of her room now. Mark thinks he will be able to get an accounting job by the end of this school term – February. They don’t particularly like the apartment they have now, but their rent is just about half what it was on N. Kenmore, so for the difference they feel like they can put up with less. I asked Mark how long he intended to live there and he said “one year” – that is now long their lease runs. He thinks by that time he will have a job that will pay him enough to afford a better place. We plan to go see them as soon as we can get the baby schedule cleared. Dad delivered a 2 lb. baby one day last week. HE thought it might make it, but last night he had a call from the hospital that the little fellow wasn’t doing so well. I haven’t heard yet this a.m. I find myself writing in the same style I use when writing to John – without paragraphs. We are waiting on the baby schedule to make our vacation plans. Had thought we would take the last week in Oct. and first week in Nov., but now we are just waiting for the babies to be delivered and plan from that time. I must get this finished and get to the office for my heat treatment. I saw Audrey Jackson last night. We were both attending a meeting of the Hospital Auxiliary at the Presbyterian Church. It is still so warm and we have had enough rain, the grass keeps growing. Dad has had to mow every week and sometimes more often since you have been gone. I have decided to give up the flower bed around the north side of the house, so he is sodding that space. It really looks a lot better and will be a lot less work for me. He says he is going to fill in the place where the violas are, since it is too low. He said he is going to take over that project next year, but won’t tell me what he is going to put there. Probably geraniums. At least every year he asks me why I don’t put geraniums there.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/09/25/sprained-muscle/

Visiting Relatives

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – in David’s handwriting]
March 20, 1961

Dear David:

I think I forgot to tell you to add another $2.00 to your bank account, (GM dividend). I deposited it for you when it came, but haven’t written since then. I am a little tired today, but not as tired as I thought I would be. I have just about replaced everything and have washed all the extra bed clothes, so by tomorrow I should be ready for the club luncheon and meeting in the afternoon. The only thing left is food. I put the steak into several packages and put it in the freezer and the ham also. For some reason my apple pies didn’t get eaten and now we are working on them. The Clay City relatives and the Mutchlers left around 4:30. Uncle Floyd and Aunt Ruth and Steve stayed a while longer. When they got ready to leave Floyd told Ruth she had to drive home. He had taken a long trip on Saturday and only had two hours of sleep Sat. night. Mark and Shirley stayed long enough to feed Becky her supper. I put her in her pajamas and when they left Shirley had a bottle to give her on the way.

I have some tax business to work on, so must get with it. Can’t keep them waiting (they gave us ten days to answer a question and it has been almost a week since we received the letter).

Love Mother

Lovina

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: This is the last letter in the World War II collection, and the last from the 1940s. There are many, many hundreds of letters from the 1960s and beyond. I am currently working to finish the next volume of World War II letters titled Lots of Love, Daddy. This volume covers the letters written during the fall of 1942. I will currently be taking a short break from daily blog posts in order to finish the book. Stay tuned for more information regarding the book’s release and the next batch of letters from the family archive.]

May 1946, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Monday morning [undated likely Spring 1946]

Dear Gladys and all,

Well it is raining again this morning. Rained about all day yesterday, the ground is awful wet[?] don’t know when the men will get their crop out. The river was out last Sunday over everything. Mary Hixon came down on Friday was going home on Sunday afternoon. She stayed till Tuesday afternoon. She said she didn’t want to drive through water. She said it was the first time she saw the water out. I was so sick on Friday and Saturday while she was here. My back and side hurt so awful I went to the Dr. Saturday afternoon. His medicine look just about like what Roscoe gave me I’ll have

May 1946, p. 2

[page 2] to go back today. I just hate to go, always have to wait so long I waited from 1 to 4. I thought I’d growed fast to the chair I was so tired.

Pop is taking the ashes out of the furnace. It looks like we have to have fire all summer.

The strawberries are rotting in the patch didn’t have very many yet. Verna Zurcher was operated on last Tuesday. She nearly died before they took her out of the room they give her too much dope. She is getting along all right now. Clarence and Clara were to see her yesterday they were in Terre Haute, attended the Baccalaureate service of the nurses of the Union Hospital. Verna Z. is at the Union. Clarence wants us to go with them to the commencement Friday evening. I told him I didn’t know till the time came to see how I felt. Wilma will have

May 1946, p. 3

[page 3] to go till this fall sometime she was off so much when she had that itch on her feet and hands we didn’t wash it’s too rainy. Is Mark’s arm all right? – I hope it is I must get to work get the house cleaned up and get dinner I haven’t cleaned any house yet. Maybe I will sometime if I get to feeling better and Pop will help some.

Hope your all well everybody is well and wadding mud
Love Mom

Pop got his medicine. He wants to know how much it was.

The Day After the Funeral (Gladys)

2 Replies

: October 18, 1943 envelope

: October 18, 1943, p. 1

: October 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Oct. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Oct. 5, 8, 9 & 10 came today – one picture – Thanks and reminds me to tell you I haven’t any film and can’t get any for our camera. I will keep trying. Maybe I can find a roll in time for Oct. 23 – (13^th month). David is now sitting in his high chair chewing on a crust of bread – he seems to like to eat just plain bread. I cut his hair today and I like it very much. He jabbers like John used to do. Lucile kept him yesterday until after the funeral and she said he was very good. Slept from 1 pm till 3 – Floyd & Ruth brought him home after we came back to the house for all the family to see. Your Dad, Ralph, Faye, Glendon & Clara came yesterday. Your Mother went back – She had intended to stay but J. & T. stayed so she went home. I am to take them to T.H. Wed and go on to C.C. The boys will be out of school from Wed. noon (teachers convention). Which reminds me – Mark brought his card home with 3 A’s, 1 A-, 5 B’s, 1 B+. John didn’t get his card today. The band teacher had to resign due to a heart condition.

[page 2] As yet I haven’t received the autopsy report but know there was carcinoma of Pancreas & gall stones. I’ll send it as soon as I get it. I asked the Red Cross to get a message to you so hope you got it. I haven’t talked to Dr. Cole since last Thurs. I thought he might be able to explain things fully after the O.M. but the report will no doubt do that.

Jim addressed cards to people who sent flowers, pallbearers, Mrs. Knowlton & Rathburn & Rev. Servies. We both signed – I got a wire for $10⁰⁰ from Glen this a.m. for flowers. Of course I had taken care of the flowers for all the children. Jim had a pd. up pol. for $100⁰⁰ and one for $315⁰⁰ I have here. I paid the hospital bill in full Fri. – The total was $248⁰⁰ but I had kept it paid every week. If I figure correctly I have a bal. of $23 – now in the bank but have no outstanding bills except the drug store and it isn’t much. There isn’t anything I can think of I’ll need to pay before the first. The Ins. is taken care of now until Dec. J. & T. are out right now. Mark is in the yard – John is trying to entertain D. and I must get this finished so it will get mailed. I still think you could write a book. I have your letters to prove it when you come back.

Love Mother