Tag Archives: Thelma (Mayrose) Foster

No Mail (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-6-43

Dear Daddy – No mail for a week. The last dated was Nov. 19. We are having a nip of cold weather again after yesterday’s spring like sunshine and warm wind. David didn’t get much airing today. I wrapped him up and took him with me to town in the car. He likes to go in the car or anyway – just likes to go. John and Lucile Wood played for Rotary tonight. Lucile plays a horn and John accompanied her on the piano. He isn’t home yet and it’s nearly 8: PM. He was wondering if they would be given their dinner. I am gradually getting my Christmas shopping done – picking up something here and there. I haven’t sent Jim & Thelma’s box yet and should get it mailed soon. We are urged to mail all our gifts & cards early. Hope you get yours. I haven’t even looked for cards yet. Arlene has hers ready to mail but she expects to be in the hospital before Christmas. She didn’t go to music club this afternoon – was having some discomfort and afraid to go away from home. Coke went with me – says her brother is in England. Her brother-in-law is in Great Lakes (Chief surgeon). John Ade is in Great Lakes at present. Catherine Ade is a Lt. in the Marines and is in N.C. now. John is home – brought candy.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/19/no-mail-gladys/

Report Cards (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 1, 1943 envelope

: December 1, 1943, p. 1

: December 1, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 1 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

The first day of Dec. – no mail today but probably will get some tomorrow. It was a little sunny today and I took David out for fresh air. He hadn’t been out this week (Mon. or Tues.) due to a slight cold which was not present today, so I thought fresh air would do us both good. We walked over to Johnsons but they weren’t home so went on over to Krulls. I hadn’t seen their kitchen since they had remodeled. They now eat their noon meal at home every day & Thurs. & Sun. are home since those days the restaurant is closed. They closed up the door that went into the pantry and made another at the south end of the dining room. They now have a bathroom with a shower off their kitchen. It is very nice with built in cupboards, new sink, etc. If you were home I think I would want to finish the room over the garage for the boys, but under the present circumstances I think it is best that we get along as is, but it’s something to plan for. Even with a new house there is always something to do (like finish the basement).

J. & M. brought home report cards today. John had Gen. Science A – English A+ – History & Arith. A – Ag. B+ – Physical Ed. S (Satisfactory) – Band A and Citizenship S. Mark’s grades went down, but

[page 2] I am not surprised. He isn’t quite up to par. I didn’t get him started on vitamins quite soon enough and I think he played too hard thru “their” football season. I set a new bed time for him which is 8:30 and am trying to get him rested some. He and Bobby are upstairs now working on a plane for Bobby. Mark is having trouble with arithmetic now – long division seems awfully hard for him. I have to help him every evening and he isn’t grasping it like he should. I think that is one cause for his present nervousness – he gets impatient about not getting his work rapidly. David is walking around the house playing with a muffin pan and a lid. He went to the stove and got them out of the drawer. We are slapping his hands now to teach him to leave things alone that sit around where he can reach. In the morning when I get up, I have sinus drainage and do some clearing, hacking and spitting. He imitates me. He is at the age where he tries to do a lot of things we do. Of course we think he is advanced for his age, but that’s our privilege.

Dorothy told me today that Ellsworth got a 3 month deferment – that Al is going to quit teaching next year ( he will be retired then) and run Ellsworth’s business while E. is in service. Now that is as told to me and things may change by then, but those are present plans.

I tried to do some Christmas shopping today but didn’t get much done. Got a box to send to Jim. Have a gift for Thelma – an English coin purse Bud K. made.

The weather is turning to the wet order. It is raining some now. Theresa Ann Tubberty just came to get Bobby – she helps Arlene after school. Louise is back but she isn’t able to work like she used to – I don’t know when she will have her baby – She probably won’t stay after Arlene gets back from the hospital and can get along. Bobby said his Mother was addressing Christmas greetings today – She has to get her things done early.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/06/report-cards-gladys-2/

Mrs. J.W. Stevens (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
11-24-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Nov. 17 came today. Also had a letter from Mrs. J.W. Stevens (Dolores). I had sent her a congratulations card. She didn’t say where “Steve” is located. He just returned from Cuba when they were married. It is such a nice warm sunny day – had David out to get some sunshine – He is taking a nap now. John just came home from school. They were dismissed early today – being the day before Thanksgiving. Mark didn’t go to school any this week due to a slight head cold and also I wanted him to rest. He was beginning to show signs of nervousness. He feels pretty good today. I let him go out in the sunshine a while this afternoon. I think he will be ready to go back to school Monday. If you have rec’d the letter I wrote yesterday with pictures of David’s 14^th month you will wonder. I got mixed up on the date and thought it was the 22^nd instead of the 23^d. Had a letter from Jim. He is still in Camp Peary. He didn’t say anything about being moved soon. I have been expecting to hear of him being changed for some time. Thelma is still down in Norfolk working. A Pin burned out in the stoker but Mr. Monroe came and replaced it and the furnace is working again.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/28/mrs-j-w-stevens-gladys/

Letter to Jim (Roscoe)

5 Replies

[Editor’s Note: This letter to Jim Foster was included in Roscoe’s letter to Gladys of October 22, 1943. It is unique to the collection because it is likely the only letter that Roscoe wrote to someone other than Gladys and the boys that survives. Faithful readers will notice a definite change in writing style and tone. The letter’s survival is due the the fact that it was mailed to Gladys, whether intentionally or by mistake.]

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Jim,

Your v-mail written Aug. 1^st arrived today so I’ll hurry and return one – The letters you wrote before took about 6 mo. to get here and I was certain you would be moved before I could return a letter to you – anyway thanks for writing me and I’m duly ashamed for not writing to you sooner.

I’m truly sorry about your mother but I’m at a loss to give her my medical service because of distance, etc. Financially I think Gladys has enough to give her the medical attention she needs – It really was fine that you could get home to see her if it was only for a few days.

I have plenty of shoulder brass so no need to send more – and anyway out here it would not make any difference. In fact I didn’t wear any for some time for I didn’t want to be a prize package. It’s quite customary in certain

[page 2] regions for all officers and men to wear the same uniform. However, we are very much civilized now that is in comparison to our first month or two.

I suppose you are interested in seeing some of the old world and are anxious to get out. I was just that over one year ago but somehow I’ve seen more than somewhat and that good old flat land around Kentland would be a sight for sore eyes. The tour of duty here has never been clearly stated so I’ve no idea how long I might be here. If it’s going to be a long time I do hope I can push forward because monotony is a slow way to pass time. I had some hope of getting home by Christmas but it begins to look doubtful. Anyway I can’t ask favors because other have been out as long as I have and they have vital interests at home the same as I.

Gladys sure has been a Dear in keeping things going and has been assuming the home responsibilities in a great big way and believe me I’m proud of her and desperately in love with her as much so as say 15 years ago – pardon the romantic side of an old salt.

Hope you get to stay in the good old USA because I know Thelma will appreciate it lots. Best wishes to Thelma and Regards.
Jake

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/29/letter-to-jim-roscoe/

In Clay City (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p. 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Ind.
10-21-1943

Dear Daddy –

You will note from the heading I am in C.C. We went thru T.H. yesterday & left J. T. at Mayroses. We left Kent about 2 PM & started for C.C. about 5 – then I happened to think I wanted to see Ethel W. It was a good thing I did because Wayne was at Teachers Convention and Ethel was going to take Mark & go home today. I didn’t have time to visit long because all three boys were anxious to get going but at least I saw her a few minutes. We got almost here & had to detour past Dietz – they are oiling 59 and all the traffic has to come this way. Your mother certainly is getting the dust when the wind is from the south. She is hoping it will change so the people on the south side of the road will get part of it – or that she won’t get it all. She & Dad slept upstairs last nite. I had to sleep down because of the baby’s bed so she thought I wouldn’t rest well on the davenport. I slept pretty good until 3 a.m. then was awake off & on until time to get up. I still feel tired but I think I will for a while.

We are going to town this afternoon and do some visiting. Faye asked us down to dinner tomorrow – then the next day will be Sat. & Sun. we go back. Time soon flies. It was cloudy this a.m. early & we had a shower but it’s cleared off now and seems very pleasant out. John is with Dwane & Mark with Glendon. Glendon was going nut hunting and of course that suited Mark but not John. John got his report card yesterday. He had 3 – A+’s, 2- A’s, 1 – B+ and two S’s. S is for satisfactory and Phy. Ed & Citizenship have just two grades – satisfactory or D which is below passing. John, Angus, Ina M. Walkup

[page 2] and Evelyn Mingle in the 8^th grade were on the honor roll.

David is taking a nap. He has been having a good time this morning. I brought the Taylor Tot along & he can get around in it. The pen is too big to fit in the back of the car & is a nuisance to take along – anyway he doesn’t like to stay in it so the Taylor Tot was the best to bring, then when we go to town we can put him in it while we shop. He can’t walk along & is too heavy to carry. Besides he doesn’t like to be carried – squirms down when he takes a notion he would rather walk.

J. & T. will start back Fri. for Norfolk. He may be there for a while yet or may be sent to another shipyard if he gets changed to Chief steam fitter.

Mom is mashing potatoes, so must go help.
Love,
Mother

John and Lovina Yegerlehner in front of their farmhouse (Clay City, Indiana) in the 1910s.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/25/in-clay-city-gladys/

New Tree (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-19-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Oct. 12 & 13 came today. I was downtown this afternoon 5 P.M. & saw Barry the Mass. Salesman. He had pictures of his twins. They really are some boys. Barry of course wanted to know when you were coming home. He saw David and thought he was growing very much. We saw Lucile & Jimmy Ed. Jim, Thelma & I walked to town for some fresh air. I have been so tired – I thought I would lie down a few minutes this afternoon and went to sleep and John woke me up when he came in from school. He, Mark & Jim have gone to the football game. They were planning on Uncle Jim buying hot dogs for them. They said what fun is a foot ball game without hot dogs. I am not used to cooking for Jim. It’s just like shoveling coal into a furnace to feed him. I don’t see how he stays so streamlined as much as he eats. Thelma told me he has to go back to school Oct. 25 if he doesn’t get his rating changed. He has applied Chief Steam fitter and if he gets that will be sent to some ship building yard – he says the quota where he is is full. The Onarga Co. finally replaced the tree & I had some more shrubs put in the back yard. I had Jim water all of them today – want him to water them before we leave tomorrow. They said that one tree was too dry. It is on a little hill but it was guaranteed so should be replaced. The new one is very nice looking. We are still having nice weather. Hope it lasts this week. It’s about time for the boys to come home.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/20/new-tree-gladys/

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

John and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner (Roscoe’s parents, c1946)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/18/the-day-after-the-funeral-gladys/

Funeral Arrangements (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-16-43

Dear Daddy – No letters today but two yesterday. I had to go to Hufty’s to complete arrangements & Bob showed me the death certificate. It gave carcinoma of Pancreas as cause. I haven’t rec’d the autopsy report yet. Will write you details when I get them. I looked up pancreas & after reading description can understand the case better. No doubt the thing was too far advanced for help when Dr. Cole started on the case. Your mother is here and plans to remain until next week then I want to take her home. J. & M. won’t have school after Wed. (Teacher’s convention). I don’t know who is coming. I wired everyone I thought should have the word. Jim is coming to Laf. tomorrow & Mayrose are going to meet J. & T. at the train & bring them on up here – I was thinking about what you said regarding the prescription I didn’t have filled for John – Well, I know what bromides are and to my way of thinking wouldn’t do John any good. The headaches are gone and the nervousness he displayed for Dr. V. is only under such circumstances – I really got a “kick” out of what you said. I read your recommendations to John about his face treatment & chocolateless diet – He didn’t care for either. His face is some better but don’t worry about squeezing anything on his face – you should know better.
Love Mother

Foster, Emma H. (Laughead) - Death, 1943

Indiana death certificate for Emma Foster, October 1943

Too Sleepy To Finish (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 12, 1943 envelope

: October 12, 1943, p. 1

: October 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Oct. 12 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Ruth and I are ready for bed – all boys are tucked in. David spent the afternoon with Jimmy Ed. I went to Pauline Dennis to take a hat for remodeling before we started to Laf. and Lucile & J.E. were outside. Lucile wanted to know if I was going to leave David – She assured me she could easily take care of both babies so I left him. We had him ready to take along but decided him. We had him ready to take along but decided he would be better off there. It was nap time so she put him to bed and he slept until 3 P.M. Then J.E. took his hap & David play with a catalogue while Lucile washed dishes. She has a reed stroller for J.E. so put both boys in & took them to town after naps. We returned from Laf. about 7 P.M. and David was having a good time until he saw me then he began to whine – mama baby. Ed was having fun with both babies. I told Lucile she could get an idea what twins would be like. Ed certainly enjoys J.E. He fusses around with him like an old hen with a chicken. J.E. is a nice looking baby. – Next morning – I got too sleepy to finish this last night. Our weather changed. We have a high wind & rain today. The wind blew one of the windows out of the room over the garage but didn’t break any glass. I nailed it back in. I went to Pauline Dennis’ this a.m. for a hat fitting. Lucile came over while I was there. Said Ed had written to you about David being there yesterday. I suppose the Riggs funeral is today. He died Mon. & this is Wed. I suppose Nellie is in a nervous state.

I talked to Alma W. yesterday and she is having a backache. She goes to Rumkorf all the time. She had stomach & bowel flu last week but didn’t get along as well as I did. I feel pretty good – better than I thought I would.

[page 2] I didn’t try to go to the hospital today. I went yesterday and the weather took such a turn and I was rather tired. Dr. Cole had started Mother on codine and it’s a good thing. She was suffering every minute she was awake from the sore on her hip. Ruth M. said she had never seen anyone as poor. She is so wasted there is little left. If Jim would see her now I don’t know what re-action he would have. I told him I didn’t like the idea of him getting out of the Navy to come home & help take care of Mother and Thelma isn’t in favor of it. I told him to send me more money to help on the hospital bill.

I noticed you mentioned my letters being written one day & mailed the next – I figure if I get one mailed a day that’s all that’s necessary & I often start writing at night & don’t get them ready to go out before bedtime.

I took a nap this afternoon & Ruth played with David. She baked a cake yesterday & made a pie today. I get some baking done but not enough to meet the demand of our growing boys. John is growing so fast it is noticeable. I couldn’t find shirts with sleeves long enough & the suit I got for him in the spring is almost too short now. Mark is growing but not so fast.

It’s about time for the boys to come home from school and we intend to get meat today from Sheldon. I don’t know whether they will want to go along or not. I know David will – he certainly has learned to go in the car. I hear Mark – he wants something. Wants to go to Diedam’s to play.

Love Mother

YEG1943-12 Gladys, David, Lucile and Jimmy Ed

Gladys and David with Lucile and Jimmy Ed Johnson, December 1943

Family Photographs (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 14, 1943 envelope

: September 14, 1943, p. 1

: September 14, 1943, p. 2

: September 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but rec’d 5 yesterday and David’s birthday letter. I’ll put that $2⁰⁰ toward another bond for him. He & James L. keep things lively around here. Jim wanted his car at Norfolk but he & Thelma were afraid to risk driving it back so they are to start back this afternoon by train & Glenn is bring the car for them, and come back on the train. He is to be in Laf. Fri. This is Tues. We plan to go to see Mother tomorrow then again Fri. & meet Glenn too. Pauline wants to do some shopping tomorrow for J.L.

Alma Walker called me this afternoon to inquire about things and told me before if there is anything she can do, will be glad to, so she is going to stay here tomorrow afternoon with the babies. They are both good and not as hard to take care of as two yr. olds. Alma had Dr. Van B. work on her nose Sat. & said he tortured her. She said she still has a headache from it. John sure had hay fever – or whatever it is he has – this morning. Said he hated

[page 2] to go to school – he was sneezing so – his eyes were red and he coughed. I believe we will have to do something about his condition in another year. Last fall he had a mild case. – This year it’s more pronounced. I imagine it will get worse every year unless we can do something for him. I had picked some flowers for Glenn & Jim to take to the hospital and had some marigolds. Glenn said he could feel the pollen from them the minute I brought them into the room. Said it just seemed to go right up his nostrils. I haven’t yet found anything that bothers John but I suppose it is some kind of vegetation. Probably marigolds. Arlene said they couldn’t raise them in their garden because of Bobby’s hay fever.

We took some pictures today before Glenn & Jim left of all of us with the two babies – that is Jim, Glenn, Pauline & I. J. & M. were in school. I do hope they are good so I can send you a few. We are out of film so Boonie loaned us his Kodak with five shots left on the roll. Jim was wearing his blue uniform. He had to get has coupons from the ration board to drive the car to Va. Thelma got them at T.H. but he needed gas to get from here to T.H. so had to go to the board here. They gave him coupons for 10 gal.

[page 3] Mrs. Roberts called me last night to inquire about the family. She has kept in touch with me all summer either by phone or coming over. I have called her too but haven’t been over but once early in the spring. Of course we always talk about you & Joe & wonder when you will get to come home.

Mark has green beans, carrots, Swiss chard, onions and cake on exhibit at the Fair. He got a free pass by exhibiting for 4-H. He did the baking entirely by himself – no one was in the kitchen when he made the cake.

David is in the play pen making a little fuss & James L. is in the play chair banging things around. Yesterday morning I called to John to get David’s bottle and David said “dah, dah” right after me so we have been trying to get him to say John. Once in a while he will say “dah” after we say John. He is making a fuss now so I’ll have to see about him. He pulls everything down he can get his hands on if we don’t watch him. I was talking over the phone & he was in the Taylor-Tot and I turned around just in time to catch him – He won’t stay put in anything he can climb out of.

Love Mother