Aunt (or Auntie) Phyllis was Grandma Green’s older sister. She married late in life at age 55, living with her father and stepmother until at least 1950. Her husband-to-be, George Lahey, was a widower with three grown children. I probably met her when I was a child, but I have no recollection of it. She was always good about recognizing her grand- nieces and nephews for their accomplishments, usually with a card, embroidered hankie, and a small cash gift. I’ve happened upon many letters from Auntie Phyllis, but unfortunately threw them away before realizing what a treasure of information they would have been.

In this letter dated April 14, 1959, she announces her upcoming wedding and after-wedding travel plans.

April 14, – 11:30 a.m.

Dear Lois and All,

Just wanted to let you know that I am being married on April 24th at 10: a.m. in Madison, Wis. George’s son James and his wife, Welcome, are going to be our attendants. We want just a simple affair. We plan to leave right after the ceremony and are planning to go to Elgin and Chicago. We want to stay in a motel near Elgin. Would you know of any that is nice near Elgin? Please let me know the name of it. Then on Saturday we will come in to see your folks and would like you and Walter to drive us into Chicago to go to the Merchandise Mart where I can order a few of my summer clothes for the store*. I wish I didn’t have the store.

I have a blue wool suit, white hat and gloves and patent shoes for my wardrobe for the wedding.

Welcome wants to have a wedding breakfast but I told her not to do any fussing.

This afternoon George and I are going to get our marriage licenses. Would like to keep the notice out of the paper until after the marriage because some people are just looking for them.

This A.M. we went to sign our wills. Will tell you about it when I see you.

Next week will be a busy week at our house. We will have a farm boy with us for the week. Reid was at this farm boy’s house last week and Reid enjoyed it very much. Little Donnie says that the farm boy will have to sleep with me. He’s a rascal.

Heard over the radio that a man in a blue and white station wagon stopped a girl on her bike to give her a ride. She refused to to and then reported this incident to police. All police are on the alert as that color station wagon is involved in the murder of the boy from Milwaukee.

There is a fugitive from justice hiding near Grandma Krueger’s home too.

Well I must close, for now.

Please let me know as soon as possible about the motels.

Envelope is enclosed for you.

Love to all from all,

Phyllis.

PS Had a letter from June telling of her Dad’s illness. Too bad.

Phyliss Koeser April 14, 1959

*Auntie Phyllis co-owned a store called The Economy Store in Two Rivers, Wisconsin for 8 years along with a Martha Gensman. The letter in this post was sent in an envelope with a return address of the store.