Tag Archives: David A. Yegerlehner

Wedding Presents (Gladys)

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943, p. 1

: August 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 19 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I was just about to get off to a good nap when John brought David in. I had to change him then put him down in his bed with a thumb guard on – which didn’t please him at all. He is trying to take it off, but he has a sore on his thumb, so must have the guard on. He needs a nap so doesn’t take much to make him cry. Your Mother is here. I think we will go to Laf. tomorrow & take David to Dr. Cole to get the cast taken off. I had an appointment for the next day but your Mother is going home Sat. so will go to Laf. tomorrow if I can get an appointment with Dr. C. Also your Mother would like to go to Laf. to shop. She wants to get Earl & Imogene a wedding present. I bought some glasses at Loebs and Ruthie M. liked them so much she had me get her a doz. – then decided they would make a nice wedding gift so I am to get a doz. for her to give Earl & I. I intent to get some kind of matching glass if I can and give them. They will be here again Sat. to get your Mother so will give them the gifts then. I didn’t know Imogene, but she is very nice and rather pretty.

[page 2] Mark is due home this evening some time. I suppose he will be worn out. The week John was gone to your folks, Mark had to stay in and help me and didn’t have time to run & play. He had been shaking his head a lot & batting his eyes, but after he had to stay in and not run & play so much I noticed he had quit all those nervous habits. I supposed that proves he spends too much energy for his own good. – I believe having the tonsils out is just beginning to show results too. He has been out a lot and has a good healthy look.

We gathered beans & canned four qts. today. I am about to use up all the jars wwe have. I have beans (33 qts.), peas 4 qts., spinach 28 pts. and 4 qts. tomatoes so far. I have been buying corn, peas and fruit with our points so have a small supply ahead.

David can unscrew the bolts on his bed downstairs and John just had to run in and put the tap back on. I am going to have to invent something to keep him from taking things apart. I am afraid he will get the taps in his mouth sometime when we aren’t looking. I know he will be happy to get the cast off and I know I will be.

Mother is about the same. Your Mother is up talking to her now. I didn’t tell her what the Dr. said to me Sunday about her condition. I suppose it will become painful in time – she complains of gas now some, but I think it must be from the source of her trouble. Hope you got Dr. Cole’s letter explaining things –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/19/wedding-presents-gladys/

Mow You Down (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 18, 1943 envelope

: August 18, 1943, p. 1

: August 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

You mentioned in several of your letters about people asking you if you had written me relative to D. accident and some had advised against such. I think you did exactly right because after all I’m not a weakling and can take those things. In fact I’d feel terrible if I didn’t know and I’d be disappointed in you. Sure I’d feel badly about anything that might happen but hypocrisy is the worst thing imaginable and it’s something you and I have never participated so why start such at a time like this. This is war and as I mentioned before it’s bigger than families so we have to take things and bear them. I’m certain you have always well written me things as they are at home and this is best. I can’t always write you things that happen here for various reasons which you understand. I haven’t felt so sorry for D. as for you because I know how he will get along – but the extra work, worry and self accusing, which I hope you haven’t done to[o] much of, will have a tendency to “mow you down,” but you know

[page 2] dear I’m for you and know that you have executed the best judgment at all times – so what do we care about what other people say. I say we because any criticism against you is equally shared by me.

Your letters of July 28 and 30 came yesterday and in them you told of receiving the check etc. Also got letters from Ruth M. and Mom. So now I’ve been well told about the family’s visit of course it was from different angles but and none repeated to me monotonous. The folks and Ruth M. were all very much impressed by the way you are carrying along and nothing but praises came from them so that makes me feel swell also. They were very much awed by D.’s behavior in the cast and his personality – I wonder – mothers or fathers!! Could it be both. I’ll vote for the maternal. Of course my ego is a li enters a little into the picture – self imposed ego of course.

I hope I haven’t made you feel badly by this letter. I really meant to make you feel better – Not by so many words but I’m all for you and you know it and I wouldn’t have any changes in you even if it were possible –
Lots of Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/17/mow-you-down-roscoe/

Visitors (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-18-43

Dear Daddy – Your Mother came today – Tillie Z. – Earl Y. & bride, Imogene, were going to Whiting so they brought your Mother here. We did intend to go over to Ruth M.’s but with Mother not so good we won’t go. There too the gas has been cut to 3 gal. a week and we may have to take Mother back to the hospital. This noon she threw up her dinner, then said bile came up. I am going to call Dr. Cole & tell him if she does that again. I have to take David down Sat. to have the cast off so will see what he thinks about things by then – I wired Glenn to come after receiving a letter saying they were planning to come and I am waiting to hear from them as to what they are going to do. Rec’d yours of Aug. 7 today. I agree with you, patience is the only thing to have about getting home. We are as anxious to have you come as anyone but know it won’t help to get impatient about it. Just hope for an early return. Grandma Y. & John are out in the yard with David – Mark is still at 4-H camp. It was cool enough today for the heat to kick on. Emmett & Olene Miller were at Statons again & I talked to them. His father died last week. They are going now to Tenn.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/16/visitors-gladys/

Something Like Whistle (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 17, 1943 envelope

: August 17, 1943, p. 1

: August 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters again today but didn’t really expect any for a while after getting Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 & John’s the 12^th. I know it comes in bunches. Had a letter from your mother that she would be up tomorrow if Dad doesn’t start hay fever – He has been taking shots and doesn’t know whether they will work or not. Had a letter from Glenn’s and they said they would come for a visit if I thought Mother could stand company. I wired them to come if possible. The way Mother is doing I am afraid she won’t get any better. She looks so frail – hasn’t eaten much for such a long time. She thinks after hot weather she will get better – The hot days last week were awfully hard on her. Last week so melting hot, now it’s so cool we have the house all closed. It was so cool last night I thought the heat might kick on, but we closed doors & windows and that kept the house comfortable. Mark’s 4-H outing will have a chilly time. Also Funks will find Northern Wisconsin a little cool I am afraid.

Zells told us we could gather their tomatoes while they are gone – I think we will get enough to can a few this evening but that won’t take long. I don’t particularily want many but we use a few along in the winter.

[page 2[ They are selling for 10¢ a lb now – and with so many people having gardens – I would think they would be lower in price – We have all we need in our garden but there is not enough yet to can. We have canned about 30 qts. beans from our garden. There are more coming on.

I took David out in the sunshine to give him his bottle just a few minutes ago. It was so cool this a.m. he wasn’t out – also John took his music lesson & couldn’t stay out of doors with him. He wants to go places when he gets out of his bed, pen, or buggy. Last nite while we were eating supper I took him out of the buggy, because he was climbing out and let him stand by it – he walked to the table they then walked under the table and played on the chairs. He isn’t satisfied unless he is getting around – the past two days he has been trying to do something like whistle. John asked me when he whistled & I told him it was when he was 11 mo. old. We say no no to David and he shakes his head – he knows what it means. When I slap his hands or tap him someplace else – he can’t cry hard but will pucker up and try to get a cry out. He is making a fuss now but needs dry pants so think I’ll have to go change him.

This change in weather had made my hands feel like sand paper. I had to quit eating tomatoes – just would eat a piece now & then – but that much was telling on me.

Love Mother

1943-01-22 Foster, Emma with John, Mark & David

Emma with the boys, January 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/14/something-like-whistle-gladys/

Short Wave Band (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 16, 1943 envelope

: August 16, 1943, p. 1

: August 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F. P. O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late this A.M. due to just plain conversation, but in plenty of time to catch the outgoing mail because it doesn’t go out until P.M. I think.

Wash day and a fine day if the clothes come back in time. Sometimes the boys get a little lax in taking them to the laundry and in returning them so even if the day is sunny they don’t get dry.

I think we will be paid again today but I’m not going to draw any because it might cut me too low in that reserve but will try to get some off to you at the next pay day. Now As I have it figured with the excess of the 500 and your regular 200 you should be OK for the time being. So I’ll try to help you out with some extra next month.

[page 2] In the last letter I got from Harry Storm he said Christmas packages could be sent without request between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 but my suggestions is to send nothing. Take the money you would ordinarily spend and buy the boys stamps and just write me about it. It’s too uncertain to try to send anything. Seems funny to be talking of Christmas in Aug. but it’s only one month now before that Sept. 15 rools [sic rolls] around. So rather than have you send something or be writing about it I’ll get the order in early –

We had Red Skelton on the radio last night but it wasn’t very clear from that station. If you are ever up until midnight 2:00 A.M. and turn the radio on to 9.7 megacycles, That would be on the short wave band you could get the same programs we get. I’m sure our set would pick them up – because this little old battery set we have here does a very good job of getting K.W.I.D. and also Tokyo at 8:00 PM which would be 4:00 AM. There – don’t stay up to[o] late to listen to them because the[y] over state things – we know.

Lots of Love Mother [yes, he actually signed it Mother!]

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/13/short-wave-band-roscoe/

White Cap (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-16-43

Dear Daddy – I rec’d your Aug. 1 letter – but had rec’d up to Aug. 6 last week. Mrs. R. called me this a.m. She had word from Joe – he told her “all about” your being together and how much you both enjoyed the visit. – It is cooler today – Mother is about the same. I told you in yesterday’s letter what Dr. Cole said after examining her. It’s what you didn’t want to think – what I was afraid of and hoped wasn’t. He said just to continue with the same medication. – Mark left with the 4-H group for Dunes State Park this afternoon – He was so happy to get to go. Jim sent the boys each a white cap – the kind he wore before getting a chief rating – so Mark wore one. I had to take it off his head at the table – he was going to wear it all the time. John is talking to David. David & I were both having a good nap when a fly bothered around and disturbed David. I first heard a plane go over that woke me up. They go so low and so many a day – they fly almost over our house sometimes. Every time I hear one I do some wishful thinking about a passenger that could be aboard. Could be – Pinky got a ride home. Funks left today for Land of Lakes, Wis. The detassling business just about got Bill down. Krulls are going up next Sun. for a week. They just keep their restaurant open from 7:30 to 11 – then 3 p.m. to 7:30 – serve breakfast & short orders – Dorothy said they couldn’t get food or help so why stay open 15 hrs. a day.

Love – Mother

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform (but not with the white cap). Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/12/white-cap-gladys/

What You Were Afraid Of (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 15, 1943 envelope

: August 15, 1943, p. 1

: August 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Aug. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Dr. Cole came this morning and I asked him to write you – then after he left I happened to think I hadn’t told him to use air mail or v-mail so if he uses reg. mail you may not get it so soon. After a careful examination of Mother’s abdomen he is convinced of what you said you were afraid of. He said she has a hard mass that is quite extensive in her bowels. He said he didn’t subject her to x-ray when I took her to the hospital due to her frail condition. I asked him about an operation and he said it was out of the question – said she couldn’t have stood surgery when in the hospital. I suppose that condition has been there for some time and at her age is more than she can overcome. I remember how Mrs. John Simons was and how well she came thru surgery, but I understand Mother’s age is against her. I sent her tray up at noon and she didn’t eat much – a while ago she said she didn’t want anything for supper. I have heard her go to the bathroom several times. I don’t get upstairs so much during the day. Seems with the baby I can’t make it. Then too Mother gets tired of anyone around her very long.

[page 2] Dr. Cole was on his way to Chi. till Tues. He said he didn’t know there could be so much work. Said he was finished, ready to leave the hospital this morning when someone sent came in & another Dr. wanted him to take care of his patient today. He gave orders as to her care – and told the nurse who to call if she needed a Dr. before her own Dr. returned. I know every time I go to his office I see more pregnant women that I ever saw before. Besides the baby cases he says he has so much surgery.

Mark is going to 4-H tomorrow – Funks are going to Wis. for a vacation – Zells are going away – Mr. Z. & Virginia to the 4-H camp – so we should have it quiet around here for a few days. The noise bothers Mother so much.

David is taking a good nap. Bob & Clarice were out to see him this afternoon. He is so full of pep and now he looks so cute when those two upper front teeth show. Dorothy Krull was playing with D. yesterday and he would look at her with an expression that she says is just like yours. Dorothy says she is going to take a movie when D. is a year old.

John & Mark are over next door playing croquet – They moved the set to Zells front yard. – I thought that would get the noise a little further away but I can hear them about as plain as before.

My pol. was returned, so now all the Ins. loans are paid.
Love – Mother

Taylor Tot (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-14-43

Dear Daddy – Another Sat. not so hot today – no mail but had your Aug. 6 letter on Aug. 12 – I was in town a few minutes this a.m. to get some groc., etc. Saw Lucile with Jimmy Ed – his eczema is about gone. She can put sun suits on him now & not cover his hands. He is a cute little fellow. She still has to be careful about what she feeds him & what he wears – no wool. She loaned me the buggy again – a tire came off David’s and Jimmy won’t stay in the buggy – he prefers the taylor tot – as soon as I get David’s cast off will try him in his taylor tot, but I am afraid he will try to climb out – he does so much reaching and climbing – Dorothy was out to see him this a.m. He was showing a little temper & she told him his Daddy would spank him if he were here. He knows what No! No! means and scolds when we say No! to him. Dorothy Diedam is thru nurses training – at present is home but is to go back to the hospital Sept. 6 in O.B. She came out this a.m. I gave Mother a Vit. B shot Tues. & going to give another today – I hope they help pick her up. Diedam told me Dr. Flack was back in Laf. on leave and another Dr. or two but don’t remember who. Flack had been in Panama. If Cole comes tomorrow he can tell me who has been back. Buddy is here today playing with Mark – they are fishing – It’s a good pastime if not profitable – We never overeat from their catch.

Love – Mother

Teeth Like Yours (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 13, 1943 envelope

: August 13, 1943, p. 1

: August 13, 1943, p. 2

: August 13, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 13 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot Aug. day but a cooling breeze – The upstairs is very comfortable. Just went up to see Mother. She says she hasn’t any pain or soreness in stomach or bowels – but one spot in the bowel is shore – not being a Dr. or knowing too much about the anatomy I would say it is her colin [colon] that is sore. She was a lot of gas but I think that is due to not eating enough solid food. Her diet is more on the liquid order. I feed her the canned foods I give David. At noon I thickened some bouillon and gave you some pudding. She drinks milk every meal. Mrs. Jarrel had a chance to come up yesterday & go back today so she is here. Spent the night and has had a nice visit with Mother. I think your Mother is coming next week. Jaunita is planning to come sometime. I have the idea to let J. stay here and run things a few days and let me get a little vacation – not that I am feeling sorry for myself or anything of the sort but I am beginning to get a little tired and feel I should get away for a change. Dr. Cole said he would take the cast off David’s

[page 2] leg next Sat. – a week from tomorrow – and that will be a relief to me as well as to D. He should be easier to handle then – He is getting a little spoiled as things are now. However he has been very good thru it all. Dr. Cole didn’t make it here yesterday so I suppose he will come Sun. He said either Thurs. or Sun.

Emmett Miller & Olene were at Statons last night – they were going to spend the night and today here but got a call from Emmett’s home to come immediately – his father wasn’t expected to live thru the night. I haven’t heard any further about his father. They think E. will soon be sent out. He is to go to Tenn. next. By leaving so unexpectedly I didn’t get to see them.

Buddy is here this afternoon playing with Mark. Mark had to go to the dentist this P.M. Had one pulled & some fillings. He said Dr. Limp said his teeth are like yours – he can stand to have drilling done – and was he proud to think he is like Daddy about having his teeth fixed. Speaking of teeth – I am going to try & get a good picture of D. now with all his 5 teeth shining – they make him look even cuter – and his hair lays in soft ringlets all over his head – you can imagine the ah’s & oh’s he gets about his hair. Mary Parttens said it was a shame to waste that beautiful hair on a boy but I

[page 3] disagreed with her. I said that was just part of being “David.” Then she said yes it did help to make him cute – She says he is the cutest baby she has ever seen. Listen to the proud mother run on & on.

The detassling camp is broken up – They had some bread left over & Arlene sent the neighbors each a loaf. Bobby delivered. Donnie will soon be big enough to do things. Just think this time next year they should have a baby 8 mo. old.

The breeze seems to have stopped and am I sticky – I had such a big washing today – have to get Mark’s clothes ready to go to camp Monday.

We are to have a black-out next week but think I had better skip lightly over the subject. Just don’t tell anyone I told you.

Mr. Zell has to go with the 4-H group next week – Virginia is going to camp too, Mrs. Zell, Betty & Martha Jane are going to her mother’s so with Mark gone, we should have a quiet time from Mon. till Thurs. When all the children in the neighborhood get together it gets noisy around here.

David has awakened from a nap and John is in talking to him. He should talk early if talking to him will help.

The papers have come this week but I will try to relay the news in the next letter.

Love Mother

Mark (January 1943)

Those Two Neighbors (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-12-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 3-4-5-6 came today and John’s birthday letter & $2⁰⁰. He has written you. Mark wrote you a v-mail Apr. 13 & addressed it wrong & it was returned today – will put it in John’s letter. It is hot today – was cool & cloudy today but now the sun is shining and we are all feeling sticky – all, but D. I don’t believe he minds it much. He just had his 3 P.M. meal & is in good mood. John is practicing the oboe & Mark is out pulling weeds along the driveway. Dr. Cole said he would come today or Sun. but so far he hasn’t come today. Mother is feeling a little better I think – Dr. C. told me to give her Vit. B. shots and I started Tues. If he comes today will have him give the next one. This hot weather makes her feel worse. Dr. Cole said he didn’t think she had carcinoma. He didn’t have x-ray done due to her frail condition but had the lab analysis of her stool. A week from Sat. Dr. Cole said he would take the cast off of David’s leg. He has been good as could be all along. It seemed a shame to put such an extensive cast on for just a crack but I can see it was the right thing to do. Arlene came up and brought Mother flowers this a.m. She has been so good to come & see Mother all along. Zells have been solicitous too – I am glad for those two neighbors – they certainly have been good to us. Mrs. Z. helps out so much when I have to go to Laf. for medicine or take David to the Dr.

Love Mother