Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1961

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact.

**  MERRY CHRISTMAS    1961  **

***

DEAR

Christmas 1961

Our nice fall weather has turned to snowy white a Christmas season. It is no doubt pleasing to the merchants. It is helped put me in the mood for Christmas.… If the weather is good I plan to drive to Brookings where Bob and family will also be spending the holiday season at Ardis' folks. Bob and family moved to Mpls this fall. He is with the small firm of Eng. Consultants. They live near Brooklyn Center. They will miss their nice large home in Brkgs but have a fairly new home but smaller. We all spent Thanksgiving together including Ruth and Jim Wells of Sioux City.

I have had some interesting vacation days this past year. July 4 & Labor Day week ends at Lake Poinsett. Bob has a cabin there, and we had several cookouts. The grandchildren enjoy the lake - swimming; boating and waterskiing. Paul (5½) enjoys fishing, and landed a big northern with the help of his dad while I was there. Jill, the baby smilingly looks on. 

Glenn & Darlene & Curtis (15 mo now) spent about three wks vacation here. They went to Minn & spent some time with Glenn's cousin Paul and Moore & fmly. Mrs. Davis took care of Curtis and I got better acquainted to by taking him some of the evening hours. His mom is finding out how to keep up with the lively boy. I guess that they are getting him a hobbyhorse, that should keep him corralled… I spent a week end at Sioux City after Thanksgiving-and got acquainted with Brian and Jeanie, Paul & Marlene's children. The SC relatives really showed us a nice time and we were invited to several friends homes as well.

We Miller people have had some interesting visitors this fall. Ralph Andrews and his French wife Joy paid us a visit & shortly after Cora and Bud (Reed) also of California came. Cora had not been back to SD since she left in 1946. It was her husband's first trip here. I believe they had a nice time as they have so indicated since the return. Ralph & Joy are near Glen in Penn. Both are teaching.

A weeks vacation was spent at Lake Miltona with three friends. We just relaxed and had wonderful weather.… My phn goes on and on, no rest for the phn. Our nurses are limited. Several new ones have been added but several others have left. Alice Brady is my supervisor at present, and Florence Dunn paid me a visit recently. Alice Olson makes a call now and then. I did not get to the Conv this fall, as I seem to always be very busy.

I hope that you will send me a resume of your 1961 activities, as I like to hear all the news.

** MY BEST HOLIDAY GREETINGS **

***

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1960

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

BEST CHRISTMAS WISHES

FOR 1960
*****

Dear       

Christmas 1960

It is a cozy feeling to be in where it is warm. The snowdrifts are piled high and our winter has started early, so I have time to get my Christmas letter written to you. This is truly Christmas card weather, and should inspire everyone to get the Christmas spirit, so I will start by wishing you a warm, old-fashioned Christmas and much happiness in the New Year.

The big news in our family this year was a new baby boy-Curtis Aain- born to Darlene and Glenn on Oct. 9th. I spent my vacation in September, but the stark would not cooperate, so I have seen only a picture of him so far. They say he is doing well, and Darlene plans to retire from active nursing & remain at home for a full-time job, I am sure. Her folks and sister Carol will visit them in Pottstown, Pa., this Christmas. Glenn is still with Mpls Honeywell- branch plant there.

I spent Thanksgiving vacation @ Bob's home in Brookings. He is busy building and Ardis seems happy with their new "Model" house on 104 So Jefferson near a new grade school. Their children are growing up fast. Julie 8 takes piano, while Joel 10; John - 9 are now taking horn lessons in school. Lynn- 6 is in first grade, and Paul- 4½ will soon be in kindergarten.

I went on to Sioux City and had Thanksgiving dinner with the Moore's family. Paul & Marlene have a new baby girl-Jean Marie and Brian (2½ yrs). They live in a lovely new home which Paul designed & built. Roger & Carole are also employed in Sioux City. Roger is building homes as a side-line. It is interesting to visit with the young people & get to know them better.

I have had a busy year. We have set some new records in clinic attendance. We have started the long-range Mantoux testing program. Lots of follow-up and records required. The new President-elect will have to increase the Public Health Nurse's budget, so I can have a secretary.

Altho this sounds like an annual report, you'll have to read between the lines, and see that "Every day should be like Christmas, with love in the air- it takes such a little Remembrance to show someone you care."

I Will be looking forward to hearing from you and hope the good fortune will smile on you in 1961…

That is my Christmas wish for you.

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1959

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter seems to end abruptly with no closing or signature.)

Christmas in Miller

1959

Dear         ,

Christmas 1959

Here it is practically Christmas and I'm just writing my letter. Could it be that I am slowing down? Or is it that I am busier than ever? Every year seems busier.

Being on the Hospital Board and Auxiliary Red Cross Home Nursing and First Aid Programs and Increasing interest and Dental Health Organization all take their toll of my time. Mental health programs, are certainly in the news. For the senior citizens especially broadened program, it is the use of our Loan Closet. It doesn't seem that we can crowd in another category into the public health picture.

Our immunization clinics broadened to include polio shots for adults. The attendance for both children & adults broke all previous records. Which is good news but makes more work. Volunteer help is wonderful and willing, but so many are now on full time jobs, so available health is limited. So that is what makes me busy, and sometimes pretty tired. All of my friends say the same things so guess that it is the same with others.

Miller is not standing still, many changes have taken place. New curbs & new paving, new business places are going up fast, and many more in the planning stage. Supermarkets with increased parking areas are being planned. To the North we have the new Lutheran Church and Wilber's huge Feed and Seed store. Also theUltra modern sunset Motel, electically heated, wall to wall carpeting with TVs… So if you pass through Miller do stop. To the NE we have the new Biddle Addition of pretty new homes and the New Trailer Court, and way out east the new Chevy "Show-room" with plenty of room for Used cars. The new armory adds to our enjoyment, it is roomy and well lighted-even the parking area, does not invite some of "sparking" in the parking.

That is Miller and my center of interest altho I have a great interest in Bob's work in Brookings. He is with Midwestern Homes now. He and Ardis have renamed their company to "The Pauldo Builders" includes both their middle names. Building in Bkgs is making great strides. My family there is planning on moving into their new split level home soon. Joel; John; Julie and Lynn are in school 4th; 3rd; 2nd; and Kindergarten-only Paul remains at home now. The older ones are taking piano, so guess that Ardis is kept busy. She likes to sew-I don't get down there very often, but when I retire-I should move closer perhaps.

Glenn and Darlene will be flying home for Xmas week, both are very busy. D works in an OB doctor's office pms and Glenn still keeps busy at Honeywell. Their address is 966 Warren Str. Pottstown, PA. If you should be in that area they would love to have you stop. We will try to visit as many relatives and friends as possible while they are at home.

I spent a few days at Potato Lake with Althia and Paul in their Lake Cottage, spent some pleasant hours with relatives and friends up there, and enjoyed boat rides on their Lake. Paul & Marleen have a baby boy, Brian. Marlene is Home Ec instructor at a new school (in Riverside area). Roger and Carol also live in Soo City, and are both employed-Carol in a clerical position in the school system, and Roger with the City management. Paul Sr is pretty well and Althia is taking a few courses at Briar Cliff College. Both Rog and Paul are building new homes.

Our courthouse is showing the Christmas spirit with the big Christmas tree in the lobby and wreaths on the office doors.


(Note - the letter ends abruptly here.)

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1958

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

1958

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1958

Now comes the days of address books and the dilatory pen, when friendships wilted are doused with ink, in hopes they will bloom again….Yes it is Christmas time again, although I've been so busy, I can't believe it. We are all happier when busy, aren't we?

We are getting in the spirit in the court-house today, by decorating the huge tree in the lobby… If I have the Annual dinner in the New Catholic Church dining-room next week… There will be some changes in the office personnel next year, so it will be a farewell to some - but they always seem to not mind.

I have a college student this fall quarter she is very good help, catches on quickly. I shall be sorry when she has to leave… She remarked that she will regret leaving, even tho we have been extremely busy, this is one community she has enjoyed very much. We also have two students at the hospital for experience in a rural type of community…

I go to Brookings often, where Bob and his family live. Their family is the same, except the children are growing up fast. Joel (almost 9) John (almost 8) and Julie (6) in school; Lynne (4) & Paul (2½) keep Ardis busy at home… Bob found time to build a cabin boat this summer. They had it out on Lake Poinsett a few times, but hope to have more fun next year…

Glenn and Darlene are in Pottstown, Pa. He is still with Honeywell and Darlene works in surgery in one of the hospitals nearby… Guess that they like it better in Mpls., but they will soon be acquainted. I visited them this summer & we took a trip of the Eastern seacoast. We saw some of New York City, many places of interest in Pa., R. I., & Mass. It is a trip I won't soon forget. Darlene's folks and Bob & family also paid them a visit this summer. They have a nice apartment, which they're having fun furnishing. They will not try to come for Christmas.

Althia & Paul have a new grandson-Paul and Marlene have a 6 mo old baby boy-Bryan Alan. They now live in SC. Rog & Carol are in the Sports car business in Tulsa.…

Guess this sums it up for this year… And hope to hear your news very soon… Best wishes

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1956

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. 

Christmas 1956

South Dakota

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1956

I have been hoping for Christmas would be coming soon, so that I could again write my Christmas letter to you, and then perhaps get a reply in return. I am writing this on the day after Thanksgiving, and we are having a bit of unusual weather. We had a few inches of snow, and then it rained last night, so driving is extremely hazardous for those who went away for Thanksgiving. I stayed in Miller, as the weather look bad, & I had a lot of "catching-up" to do at home.

My family has grown since last I wrote you. Glenn and Darlene were married, Sept. 22nd, so now I have another daughter. Also Bob and Ardis have Paul Richard, who was born April 10th. I spent a few days in Brookings while Ardis was in the hospital, and got better acquainted with the other two boys and the two little girls. They are a nice family.

We all had a very nice time at the wedding. Many relatives and friends from away came, which I thought was wonderful. Some of them I had not seen for a long while. John (5½ yr) was ring-bearer; and Julie (4 yrs) was flower girl. They looked like miniature bride and groom, cute as buttons. Darlene is an RN., of McKennan. They have a furnished duplex in south Minneapolis. Darlene is at present employed in a doctors office and Glenn is still with Minneapolis Honeywell.

Bob manages to keep busy, as there is a terrific housing shortage in Brookings. They remodeled their own home, so now they have it very nice and enough room as well as roomors. I did a little fixing up my house this summer. Little by little I got the painting and varnishing down, so that I would be ready for the big event and wedding guests.

We had a interesting Work-Shop at State College during the first two weeks in August. It was rather a vacation from general county work, and I believe one of the best we have had. Most of the public health nurses stayed at the dormitory, so we got pretty well acquainted to. At present arrangements are underway to place a student nurse with me for her Public Health field work, under the four-year collegiate program. I think that I will be pretty busy.

Enjoyed seeing a number my friends in October when I attended the Nurses' Convention in Aberdeen. Out side of that I guess I have told all the news. I spent too much time watching TV., but I do enjoy it, and I guess I just like staying home.

I will be looking for a letter from you now, so with my very best wishes for the Christmas season and lots of good luck.

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1955

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

Christmas 1955

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1955

Much history has been made since I wrote my last Christmas letter. I will have to pick out what I think is the most important… As the snowdrifts are piled high, it is a good time to write.…

At Thanksgiving time I had all my fam at home… Bob & his family & Glenn all came, & we had a houseful. The children played with Glenn's and Bob's old toys, and thot they were fine. Bob has had a busy year, still in the Construction Business. Glenn has a position with Minneapolis Honeywell. He hopes to get home for Christmas…

I attended the Nurse's Convention in Deadwood in October, & had a fun time. Part of my vacation was spent with Althia and Paul at their Lake cottage. We ran into difficulties when Paul became ill and had to return to Sioux City... shortly afterward he underwent surgery. He is back at work with the Journal now, but he says, he never wants another ulcer.

In August we had some excitement too. Darlene (Glenn's fiancé) & I had to make a trip to the University Hospital to be with Glenn when he had an emergency appendectomy. He was pretty sick, but he had more doctors; interns and nurses than either of us dreamed possible. So he recovered rapidly & four days later I took him to Maple Lake, where he recovered enough to ride back to Miller with me. Fine food at Maple Lake & rest at home & he was back on the job in about 2 weeks.

Stories about the Polio slowed up our plans for clinics, so we had no unpleasant effects when we held our clinics in June and July. The league convention at Rapid; the College activities at Brookings, Glenn's graduation and his many exciting trips kept me interested (to tell the truth I was in a little hot water) I was glad when he decided on Honeywell.

During the last half year of college, Glenn & the other boys in his class had such interesting tours thruh the various Plants. DuPont's in Atlanta, Ga., Westinghouse at Pittsburgh, and he also visited in Washington DC.

Ardis & Bob's family has had some interesting things happen to them too. Joel has started to kindergarten, and Julie Marie (3) was selected Miss Junior, Junior Brookings at their Water Carnival. She won the title & a big doll.

Some of you will be interested to hear that Paul and Althia's two boys are both married now. Paul Alan has his degree & has a position in Des Moines. Mr. Moore's mother passed away last week, she was 92. Althia & Paul spent some time with me when they came up to the funeral.

I also had some special visitors from Calif., Beatrice Vernon, her husband and daughter toured in this area, and stopped briefly to visit here. Not long ago, I visited in Aberdeen with friends… I hope that sometime you will find time to pay me a visit…

In the meantime, I suppose that I will grow fat and lazy like everyone else, as my boys put up a TV set for me when they were home at Thanksgiving time…

With this letter go My Very Best Wishes, and I hope that you will write me your family secrets……

.....Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1954

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

South Dakota

Christmas 1954

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1954

Another year has rolled around again, and it is time to send out the annual Christmas greetings. It would be fun to greet you all personally, but this will have to be the next best thing. 

Our family was all together at Thanksgiving time. Bob and Ardis brought their two little boys, Joel and John and Julie and the new little girl, Lynn Ann. We all had a fine time together. The new baby is about four months old now, and gave no one any trouble. The others had fun playing with my boys' outdated toys. Amazing how those old things outlast the modern plastic toys. 

Bob is again at the college, teaching Mechanical Drawing & Power Heating and in his spare time, he is remodeling his home. They needed more room (for) their larger family, so they are building on a larger kitchen and will use the present kitchen for dinette. In the meantime his construction company goes on with his partner as overseer. Business is slack in the winter of course. 

Glenn is a senior in college and is staying at the new Men's Dorm- Harding Hall. It is convenient to be right on the campus. I have attended most of the college activities this year realizing that I am going to miss that contact. Glenn led the college band in the Hobo Day Parade and out onto the football field for the formations and for all the fall football games. It was grand weather and a very beautiful site with all the colorful college attire in the stands. Guess that it kept Glenn pretty busy, but I heard no complaints- and he appreciated the honor. Quite a few from Miller have captured honors at the college this year. Some of you may be interested to know that Mary Margaret Robinson got mentioned in Who's Who in Colleges. Next we have to think of what they will do when they finish. From the conversation, Glenn does not expect to be very close to home.

The Moores (my sister's family) have made progress in their building program. The boathouse that they started last summer is completed and a nice start has been made on their summer cabin, in Minnesota. I spent part of my vacation up there and tried to do my bit, because I might want to be a welcome guest someday when they have it finished. The Goetchius household, nearby, made us all welcome again this year. My two nephews Paul and Roger have found nice girlfriends and are both engaged. They all spent time up there with us. It rained but we had fun anyway. Later this fall, Althia spent a few days with me and Miller, while Paul did some hunting in the Cresbard area.

I attended several weddings this year, and enjoyed so much seeing Glenn's young friends take their life partners. I even got to Maple Lake, where I hadn't visited in years. It was like a family reunion went all of us got together to attend Betty's wedding. Betty is my niece, Joe P.'s daughter, and she and her husband will live in Chicago. 

Glenn has a lovely girlfriend, Darlene Davis from St. Lawrence. She is in her second year of Nurse's training. Office continues about the same. Dr. Hagin holds the clinics, and is very pleasant to work with- he has been pampering himself by trips to Bermuda, Bahamas etc. Write me all about yourselves now. 

Sincere Christmas joy,

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.