By coincidence, this newsy letter dated 24 February 1938, from Emma A. Boock to her daughter, Gertrude, happened to drop out while I opened yet another box of letters from the farm. I found the letter compelling because it revealed the new "normal" for Art and Em, with their grown children away, and the friendship they had with the Frank Oelrichs, Marian's folks. Although, Frank ran a large farmstead east of Spencer, the letter reveals that he had another vocation as well.
Norbert and Marian, newlyweds, were living in Minneapolis, where he was evidently taking a class and also working at Midland. The letter mentions that Marian was back home to visit friends and returned by train to Minneapolis on the 23rd. Gertrude was teaching at St. John's Lutheran School in Burlington, Wisconsin, and dating Carl Graupner.Spencer, Wisconsin 2/24/38
Dear Gertrude:-
Marian left yesterday noon. Norbert sent a telegram that he was called back to the Midland before school was out and that he'd meet marian at the depot Wed. eve if she could come. She was real glad to get back to Mpls. altho she enjoyed seeing her friends here. Last Sunday Oelrichs invited Rev. Stapels and us for dinner and supper. Some more of their relatives came in the afternoon and they had a big crowd for supper. They left again after supper and we played cards till eleven. The men alone and Mrs. O., Mrs. Stapel, Marian and I. We played "Schafskopf" and had such a good time. Giggled all evening. Eleanore was home too but she, Lil, and the boys went to a party in the evening.
Mr. O. is working at the funeral home and he has been taking quite a few dinners with us. The mortician from Milwkee left again last Sat. He was too much of a city guy, altho he understood his business first rate. They have interviewed two embalmers this week and no doubt will have one again soon. The Mlwkee fellow would never fit in a small town.
Our "Bridge" met at Tillie Martens' Tuesday eve.
Washed & ironed this week and actually found a little time to work on my braided rug. This eve the Colby band is giving a concert at our hall. We bought tickets for that.
Our H.S. basket ball team is in first place. The teams will play their tournament at Abbotsford the first part of March.
Dean Seitz and the Jones tots are having a good time scooting down the side walk from our porch to the street. It is so warm today. We did not have much snow lately. Dad did not have to shovel paths very often this winter.
Yesterday morning Oelrichs & Marian came in real early because he worked at the funeral home. So we had a good visit, also a lunch, before we took M. to the depot. After that Mrs. O. went to Annie Schwantes, who now lives in the old Mrs. Stoltenow house.
Mrs. Brembach is Carrie Schapekahm. She is my mother's right cousin. We called on her when we were on the Mlwkee trip with Klause's but I suppose you forgot. She's got three sisters at Mlwkee--Mrs. Wm Landwehr, Tessie Schapekahm, Flora now Mrs. Bal. (She married a Hawaiian) and one brother at Pewaukee--John Schapekahm. I'm afraid you're not well versed in your history pertaining to your ancestry. Grandpa A. came from La[e]ngerig, Westphalen. Grandma A. from Gehrde Hanover. Grandma B. from Perchiesen Posen, and Grandpa B. from Schlesswig Holstein.
Your choir must be pretty good to get so many invitations.
Will close & mail this. Have a little shopping to do.
Love, Mother
Just noticed that I am out of envelopes for this stationary so will have to use a white one.
Gertrude Facklam will have to return from Manitowoc again. She went there thinking she'd get her job back sooner, but in vain. It sure is tough luck.
2 comments:
I sent Marian's sister LIl a copy of this letter for her 92nd March 6 birthday. She and Gertrude are the only ones still alive from the week's events as recorded by Grandma Emma. (I was to be born a few months later.)
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