Tag Archives: Ruth E. (Yegerlehner) Mutchler

Cokes Would Be In Order (Gladys)

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June 4, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
June 4 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Will start a letter this evening and maybe I’ll have something to add tomorrow – Howard & Ursula came to see me this afternoon. Helen is home and is going to come over and see me. She lived in Kansas City, Mo., 10 yrs. If she comes tomorrow I’ll tell you anything that might be of help to us. Howard asked me if we would rent our house. I told them our little attempt with Smiths – They agreed with me our house is well worth $45.00 – said they were getting $40.00 for theirs in the country. Mrs. W. said she thought our house should be worth $50.00 – The new

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Ag teacher is looking for a place & Mrs. Z. asked me if we were considering renting. I told her I didn’t know yet – we would have to see about “Mo.” first.

Arlene came up and Lucile brought Jimmy so we really had “open yard” this afternoon. Mark got the idea cokes would be in order so he & Virginia loaded up some bottles and went to the Station and bought cokes with his money – without consulting me. I had the same idea so was glad he had acted before I told him to. Jimmy Ed & David both got a share of their mother’s cokes – Jimmy is a veteran coke drinker but David seems to like the stuff pretty well too – Arlene has a new girl – one that seems to be the answer to all her desires for a helper – She even lives there and so Arlene has a little more time off.

June 4, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] When Arlene loaned us the “Thum” bottle, she decided to pour a little out in something in case she might want to dab a little on Donnie “in case” – The only thing she saw at the time was a “shot glass” so poured some in it. She told Bill what she had done and he told everyone she was trying to break him by putting “Thum” in his glass. I am certain that would break anybody of anything – after getting the tiny bit in my eye.

I wrote to Ruth M. today. You should drop your folks a line now and let them know you are in your new location. As soon as I get news from you of a house I’ll call for train reservations.

Love Mother

June 4, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Monday afternoon –
So far I haven’t talked to Helen. I saw Coke this morning and strange as it may seem they haven’t any K.C. connections. I thought perhaps they would know someone there.

I cleaned half the basement this morning – Try to finish the other this evening. David got an ink bottle this morning and spilled ink from davenport to kitchen so J. & M. cleaned living room & dining room floors – however it needed to be done. The house looks like the one at Lake Forest – I have rugs all over the place to catch the black marks –

Hoping to see you soon –
Love Mother

David, Jimmy Ed Johnson & Donald Funk, dated June 4, 1944

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/21/cokes-would-be-in-order-gladys/

Acute Housing Situation (Gladys)

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May 2, 1944 envelope

May 2, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

May 2 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

I am enclosing the mail that came for you & Ruth’s letter. I rec’d two letters from you and can’t understand why you didn’t get the letter about David’s accident. Mark mailed it Wed. evening – the day he fell or rather pulled the radio over on himself. His lip still has a scab but the stitches were removed Sat. He made it bleed yesterday. I am not going to touch it, but just let the scab come off as it will. Dr. M. said to take him to the dentist as soon as his mouth is healed. I think the inside has healed entirely.

Just like the radio serial you were comparing our letter to – I wonder if you have found anything yet. Maybe I’ll have to go up and spend a day yet to find something. We should have spent your vacation house hunting. Just keep working on it – something has to be found.

There is a high wind. I washed this morning, then this p.m. put in two woolen blankets and the couch cover. I accidently picked up the red (old drapery) cover and it got washed too. The color runs out of those old drapery curtains and the result is, the couch cover has a new tint. It really is better looking than before. The wind is so strong I brought David back into the house. The wind didn’t bother him, he still wants to go bye-bye.

Mark doesn’t have any school today because of election. He has been mowing Staton’s lawn. They have taken their lawn mower over to their cottage. They must have quite a place over at the lake.

May 2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Just retrieved a piece of something from David’s mouth – don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t to eat. He just made a puddle on the floor – right after I had put him on the toidey. I think I am going to have to use a little spanking on the young man if he doesn’t try to cooperate a little better.

I am a little tired. D. woke up before I had a chance to rest any – and after he gets up there isn’t much rest for anyone. Mark being busy with the lawn mower can’t help me right now.

I added a P.S. to yesterday’s letter about Smith. He was here a few minutes to see about the house. He & Mrs. are coming back Sat. He said he would like to lease it for a year. I told him your future was too uncertain to do anything like that. Maybe we can work out something. Helen Bartlett said she used to teach under Smith and says he is a good school man. I know Bart worked to get Smith here. Smith’s own their home in Delphi and Helen said they were interested in buying here. They may find a place for sale but I don’t know where they could rent anything. Alene Miller is coming back to their house – the one Statons used to have, but the people in it now can’t find a place to move.

I’ll certainly be glad when the housing situation isn’t so acute – at least for us.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/14/acute-housing-situation-gladys/

Tired (Gladys)

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April 13, 1944 envelope

April 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-13-44

Dear Daddy,

Just bathed David and taped up the thumbs. John took him up to bed and now John is doing homework and Mark is drying dishes.

I am very tired this eve but thought I would be able to sleep better if I am really tired. I don’t feel quite as low as I did this morning. I started cleaning up as soon as you left. Got the dining room back in order. After lunch I cleaned the kitchen floor and put a washer of clothes in. I was so tired by then thought I should rest. I took a short nap then hung out the clothes. David took a nice long nap. After I finished hanging the clothes I came in and dressed him and took him out in the sunshine. I thought I would sit on the step & read the Dem. but D. kept running around the house. Jimmy and Bobby came over and visited a while,

April 13, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] but they got into a bad quarrel and Jimmy went in the car with his Mother & Daddy. While sitting on the step Bobby said they might get a stone driveway. I asked him “where.” He said where the cement drive is now. I must have looked like I didn’t understand what he was talking about, and he followed with this, “Mommy & Daddy haven’t said anything about it, but I think we will have a stone driveway.” He said he liked the hills on both side of ours. After Mark came home I turned David over to him and Mark said Bobby got in trouble and his mother made him stay home. It was so warm today I hung the clothes out after 3 P.M. and they got dry. The water was very hot so thought I would take advantage of it & the sunshine. I got the clothes line up but it was quite a pull.

I just heard David and I think he is working on a thumb so will go up and see. He was looking out the front door and I said, ”See the robin.” He said “obin.”

I wrote a letter to Ruth M. and John took it to the P.O. I told them they could find a recruiting office either in Joliet or Chicago.

I was looking at the new evergreen tree. It is still damp around there from the recent rains but the tree is beginning to look brown around the edges. In a day or so I will water it if it doesn’t rain. I won’t mail this till morning and if there is any mail or news will add a line.

Love Mother

April 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Fri. a.m.
It is about time for Mark to go to school and the mail hasn’t been delivered yet so no news. It is cloudy and looks like it will rain. I am glad I got one washer of clothes done yesterday. Slept like a log last night but still tired. Going to try and get this mountain of ironing done. Mark tries to use the belt you left but it is too wide. David is full of pep and

April 13, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] going strong. I worked on John’s face last nite with soap & wash cloth & washed his hair. He looks pretty good this a.m.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/11/tired-gladys/ ‎

Pack Away Some Memories (Ruth)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner, U.S.N.R.
U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

Mrs. Earl Mutchler
Wilmington
Illinois
Feb. 28, 1944

Dear Jake, Am in the letter writing business this afternoon. It seems that I owe everybody an answer, and by the way I haven’t heard from you for quite some time. Mom and Gladys are always so good to relay the news on to us however. Suppose you are very busy. Everyone here seems to be too. Earl is working such long hours. You know he never was very “fat” and he isn’t getting any fatter. Now me for instance, my case is a different story. We have had some nice spring days already but imagine we will have more wintry ones. Imagine the climate where you are now is very enjoyable. Had letters from Mom & Gladys last week, they were all well. From Gladys’ letters I take it that David must be growing into quite a boy. She says he keeps them busy. Those snappy black eyes of his are really meant for business, so much to see & do. Here’s hoping you are well & able to enjoy your surroundings, pack away a lot of memories so we can sit at your feet & listen when you come home.

Love Ruth

©2012-2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/02/pack-away-some-memories-ruth/

Ten Letters (Roscoe)

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: February 12, 1944 envelope

: February 12, 1944, p. 1

: February 12, 1944, p. 2

: February 12, 1944, p. 3

: February 12, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 12, 1943 [sic]

Dear Mother,

I wrote in yesterday’s letter that I would add a P.S. in case any mail came – well it came but I got so interested in reading I forgot to add the P.S. There were ten letters from you, 2 from the folks and one from Ruth M. Yours ranged all the way from Jan. 7 to Jan. 29 with the Valentine from the boys included. That was what I call a real mail call. There was also a Christmas package from the Brewers for which I’ll have to write and thank them – It was a mixture of things: tooth brush, tooth paste, peanuts, cheese tidbits, English walnut kernels, two hankies and a pocket comb. Everything was in

[page 2] pretty good condition. The cheese tidbits were a little crushed but not bad and there was also two packages of cigarettes which were pretty badly crushed.

Now to your letters. I’m sure D. must have a slight throat irritation which probably won’t amount to much and so long as his temp. stays near normal I wouldn’t worry too much although it pays to be careful with those things in kids. The pictures were good but the one of D. has not arrived as yet. The clipping did however and I wouldn’t say that it was very good of him, but paper pictures are generally not too good. Chet V.’s picture was good but Art. K. looks like he was messed up like a dog’s breakfast.

The comments and the condition of Irene was a foregone conclusion even before I left there as I look

[page 3] back on the situation now. Maybe the Funks, the Statons and the Yegerlehners should take another vacation in Wisconsin. I’m sure it would help the Yegerlehners. It’s almost fate that another member of that group should need the benefit of a mental psycho analysis. I still feel that interest in family over and above finances. That applies of course to the latter. The former seemed to be a case of religion running away with family and I’m not being irreligious when I write that.

Watch your knitting – I don’t refer to the last paragraph. I mean actual. You wrote of how much you were planning on making and I’m afraid that might cause a few of your headaches especially at that certain period. If your breast is worse at that time I’m not so much

[page 4] worried but don’t let size be a factor in treatment. Have it checked on rather frequently and another biopsy if the Dr. thinks necessary.

I’m writing this letter later than usual because I had the duty and couldn’t write until I was off the desk. That makes me have the duty 3 times in one week. Twice for myself and once for Bob the bridegroom. Tomorrow I’ll try to reread your letters and write some further comment on them.

This being Lincoln’s birthday we had some little extra for noon chow. Grapes and nuts and I’m still cracking a nut now and then.

Well Dear your letters sure are a very good builder upper and I’m so tickled to get them –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/04/ten-letters-roscoe/ ‎

Wiggle Worm (Gladys)

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: February 7, 1944 envelope front

: February 7, 1944 envelope back

: February 7, 1944, p. 1

: February 7, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 7, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-7-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28 came today. Also a letter from Pauline and Aileen. Aileen sent a picture of herself. She looked very good, but said she has a cold. She always writes interesting letters. I would love to visit her sometime. I had sent her some pictures and she said I looked as young as I did 18 years ago. I was thinking the same thing about her. She said growing up with a family must be my answer. However I don’t agree with her about me. I can see what the mirror reflects, but that doesn’t worry me.

It was fairly warm (32°) this morning and sun was shining and I hung some white

[page 2] things out on the line. They must be dry by now. I hate to dry white things in the basement when there is any sunshine. It is cloudy now. I wanted to take D. out for a walk but it doesn’t look very inviting now. We started showing him picture books and he seems to enjoy them. I don’t know whether we will be able to get him to sit still long enough to read to him. Martha Jane says he is a wiggle worm. She likes to come over and play with him when Bobby or Jimmy aren’t around. I told Mrs. Zell I had often wondered what you would think of D. He is so very different from J. & M. in his constant urge to move about. J. & M. weren’t lazy or not normal but we could hold them and entertain them without being on the move all the time. You might call it

[page 3] perpetual motion. Maybe it isn’t as bad as that – He does pretty good in church or when we are in the car but when he is home wants to be moving about most of the time. When J. & M. were this age I don’t remember that we had to particularly watch them, but D. needs someone on guard most of the time and added to all the foregoing he has all the charm one little fellow needs to make us all pushovers for him.

I expected Lucile out this afternoon. I am to give Jimmy a haircut. She doesn’t want to take him to the barber shop with so many colds around. I have given him one haircut. His hair is so blond it doesn’t show so much when he needs a hair cut like David’s does. David’s hair is a very pretty shade of brown and still curls when it is washed but the curls flatten when he has a cap on.

[page 4] Glad you have a watch. Did your old one fall apart? Hope this one will do until you can get back and get a better one. I still have the watch you gave me before we were married. I have thought about getting it repaired, but think maybe it would be better to put that much on a new one and I won’t do that now. I don’t want one that much.

I can see Bobby out playing. He is certainly the out-of-door type. He hasn’t a playmate just now but seems busy in their garden. I think Jimmy must be away and Martha for some reason isn’t out with Bobby.

I have to write Ruth M. & your folks, so must get this finished
Love
Mother

P.S. The card you rec’d from Cinda – she was visiting her brother near Bern, until Christmas.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/24/wiggle-worm-gladys/

A Little Reunion (Roscoe)

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: Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 1944

: Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 1944, p. 1

: Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 31 & Jan 1, 1944

Dear Mother,

Note the two dates the P.O. censor board etc., don’t seem to work on New Years’ so I have combined the two. There of course wasn’t much to write about on either day for one is about the same as the other but it seems I’ve written that many times before. You could even say I’ve heard that song before.

Tomorrow should be a good mail day because it’s been ever so long now (it seems) since mail came this way.

Had a little reunion today when Ed. Lentz came walking in to be one of our fellow workers. You remember he and I came into the Navy on the same day way back there at Norfolk – we had some conversation. He had heard from Mrs. E. and all her old gang are gone except the “very nice” man. I really don’t know how long ago he had that word from her.

My room is just off the “Rumpus” room and there are several officers in there talking about prison hangings and deaths in general,

[page 2] gas chambers, shooting and stuff. A very interesting and thrilling conversation. I just get little parts of the stories now and then a few of the “wise cracks” that some how manage to make the stories a little more listenable.

I’ve been some little time up to now writing this letter but had a lot of competition – first the stories I referred to earlier and then a couple came in the room to shoot the breeze and stuff.

Our New Years’ dinner was about the same as Christmas only not just as much “dog” or I mean turkey. I’m getting all mixed up. I guess it was turkey. Then for this Eve. meal we had hamburger. Just a little change wouldn’t you say?

As I told you a few days ago my resolution to write will have to start now. I mean to other people – I owe Ruth M. & Y. a letter each, Wayne W. and ever so many I just hate to think of everyone I must write. Maybe I can write each a short v-mail, and that reminds me I never did write you that v-mail but I promise –

Love Daddy

Finances 1943 (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 29, 1943 envelope

: December 29, 1943, p. 1

: December 29, 1943, p. 2

: December 29, 1943, p. 3-4

Letter transcription:

12-29-43

Dear Daddy –

Here is that long promised statement – I was just wondering where I could have spent $330.00 – the amt. I didn’t dep. (over 12 mo.) every month when the cks. come – but you know how little amounts count up. A lot of that went into gas & oil. There is an item under checks for car expenses but that included license, Federal sticker, etc. I know I spent a lot going back & forth to Laf. besides the few other trip we took to Clay City & Wilmington. I dep. the $170.00 & cash the $30.00 – by the end of the month the $30.00 is gone, for music lessons, gas, oil, papers, etc. – Doesn’t seem possible, but somehow every month something comes up to require something extra. However I think our statement shows enough gain, in loans pd. off, bonds & piano bought. You will notice I got the Ins. & groc. Items reversed. That bal. I carried over from last year included the $250.00 you sent me while I was in the hospital when D. was born and the $100.00 for Christmas. I didn’t have an adding machine so some of my figures may be off slightly but not much, and since I don’t keep books by ledger or budget I didn’t balance things to the penny. The money banked is according to the banks figures, and most of the ck. figures are to the penny but in some instances to make adding easier I used round numbers.

[page 2] David’s temp is normal again. I think he has a tooth causing some of his trouble. We kept him on the studio couch most of the day, but he got to feeling so good I finally put his shoes on him and turned him loose. He was very happy to have his freedom. I am enclosing some pictures taken just before Christmas. The one of the 3 boys isn’t very good but you can still see some resemblance. David was being particularly difficult that day about posing with J. & M. He did very well by himself as you can see. We have been trying to train him in his toidey habits – every time I take him to the bathroom I say, David is going toidey – Today he was walking around and I asked him if he wanted to toidy – and he went right to the stool – maybe he will soon tell me some way when he wants to go. Christmas & the day after at Ruth’s I could watch him closely and had only 3 pants for the 2 days.

I told you in a v-mail that Arleen & Bill have a girl named Joy – 8 lbs. Alma W. was in Laf. today – went to see Arlene and said she was fine. The visiting hours have been shortened to 1 hr. in the afternoon & 1 hr. in evening – Sometimes that is too long.

Love Mother

[Click on the image of page 3-4 of the letter to view Gladys’ accounting for 1943]

Joy Funk (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND.
12-29-43

Dear Daddy – Your letter of Dec. 18 & 19 came yesterday. I planned to go to Laf. today but David developed a cold and had a temp. I had Dr. M. come out. He said it was all in his head and left some pills (not sulfa) for him. His temp is down but he is cross. He is asleep now. I think he must have gotten a bug from Earl or Mark. There still seems to be a lot of flu around. David is getting a lot of attention now to keep him quiet – but it doesn’t always keep him so – but so far we have kept him on the couch with his toys around him. He still has plenty of pep and likes to play with his toys. Bill called last night and said the new baby had arrived, a girl, 8 lbs. – named Joy. Said Arlene was doing fine. I do hope she is, because with the help situation as it is now she will want to get up as soon as possible. J. & M. aren’t doing much during vacation. John has to take a music lesson tomorrow. Mark isn’t quite over his cold yet – I was going to take him to Laf. today – but since David isn’t feeling so good didn’t go. Maybe I can go Fri. or one day next week. It is still cold enough for the pond to be frozen. David Diedam came by for Mark to go skating, but I told him Mark couldn’t go toady. It isn’t too cold but just good winter weather – for people who like winter.

Love, Mother

That Old Biological Urge (Gladys)

2 Replies

: December 27, 1943 envelope

: December 27, 1943, p. 1

: December 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 14-15-16 & 17 came this morning. I was feeding David and when he quit eating I read your letters before I had my breakfast. The ck. was along in the letter of the 16^th. I will get it banked today and work on the statement I want you to have. I am so tired today, should be able to get some written work done because I haven’t pep enough to do much else. I did too much hurrying around for Christmas, but I think a day or two of relaxing will fix me up. I am supposed to go to Laf. Wed. to get my lenses or rather left lense replaced so will take Mark to have the X-ray you suggested. Mark is a little run down now too. Had a little cold Christmas day but I think with a few days rest will be ready for school Monday. He is just like he was when you were home – runs himself ragged if I don’t hold him down. He was so good after he got over his tonsil operation. All signs of nervousness had gone, but after he was in school a while he began jerking his head again and going other little things nervously. I know from past experiences, rest is the best thing for him. I think he skipped his cod liver oil before Christmas several times and I think that is one reason he has a cold.

The new Digest came this morning and John is reading it while I write this, then he is going to the P.O. and bank. There is a package at the

[page 2] P.O. It could be from your mother or Glenn. Your mother didn’t get his gifts sent to Ruth’s or to us. She had the flu pretty hard. I hated that because she had been feeling so extra good.

David is in his bed playing with some of his new toys. – I just looked in and he has thrown toys on the floor and is playing with the box they were in. He woke me up about 6 this morning and I had to change his pants – he went back to sleep and I did too. It was past 8 when he got me awake again. I got up and brought him down for his breakfast. The shoes you mentioned have been returned. We will talk about someone else to wear them when you come home – but you know me – that old biological urge has always been strong. I have had a lot of time to think about “things” since David came. So many people have voiced the opinion that baby raising is harder on older mothers, but I don’t agree with that theory now, that after a ten year pause, I have had 15 months of baby care. I find I have more patience with D. than I had with J. or M. Maybe I have had more time to devote to D. – or have I? At any rate I have enjoyed taking care of him – and don’t think I could get tired of it. He is walking around now with his new Christmas bathrobe on. He is a nosey little fellow and keeps someone busy saying no! no! All the time he is out “on the loose.” We have him “almost” trained to leave the coffee table alone – not quite.

Mrs. Z. came over last night. She says Virginia is getting along fine now. I knitted a bag & mittens for her and cap & mittens for Betty for Christmas. I brought home a job from Ruth’s. I am to knit a sweater for Romaine – I told her maybe I would get it done for her graduation.

“Love Mother”