Tag Archives: letter

Letter from Aunt Phyllis to Grandma and Grandpa

Family, Genealogy research, Things, ,

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.

Letter in Grandpa Green’s handwriting

Family, Things, , ,

This would normally go on another blog — one dedicated to letters to Mom, but because it is in Grandpa’s handwriting (the first page at least), I’m putting it here. Also I dreamt about him a few nights ago.

I think it was written the first year they lived in Chetek, Wisconsin, leaving Illinois and all their children. Grandpa retired from the Post Office — hence his knowledge of letters going astray. I don’t know what he means about “work” in the third paragraph. I don’t remember giving Grandma a pin — I would have been 13.

Dec 17, 1969

Dear Kids:

Please let us know when you receive the enclosed checks so we don’t keep wondering whether or not it went astray during this heavy mailing period.

It sure is beautiful outside. The ground is covered with snow, and all the pine boughs are hanging heavy with it. We are having no difficulty getting in and out. The county plow has been down and our snow blower works good. It has snowed some each day, except one, since the 6th.

We cut a Christmas tree and we were going to put it up and trim it yesterday. Instead, we went into town and got home early, ready for bed. Sooo, tree is still in the garage in it’s natural state. Maybe if we get it set up today, Mother can trim it tonight while I work.

Guess I better go into the post office and get the mail. A merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to you all.

(the rest is in Grandma’s handwriting)

There is a lot of things I could say, like missing Christmas with you kids, meaning our family. I’ll write a long letter soon. Thanks for that money. I found it when I picked up the box, to put the pin on, that one which Dona gave me.

Much Love to all,
Mom & Dad