Dear De,

I have been very unhappy about you not writing. I couldn’t sleep and I could imagine so many things. I am very glad that your letter came today. I will try not to worry any more. But that is Mother love, which I just can’t control.

How many hours do you work? And when do you start work? I made 63 last week.

What will I do with your letter from Newman Albright Studo and so on Will Lehner letter. I am mailing to you. Iris just called. I gave her your address.

E Vaun changes into Co D instead of Hg Co. He said it is for the better. Floyd is over now and his 1st chance he is going to find Bud if he can. We are fine. Dad has his yard all cleaned up. I got a cupboard in the basement to put my canned goods in. We are going to put in our coal there. I am going to clean the basement. I am very tired work. Tomorrow I will write more in a few days.

With all my love to a sweet little girl I miss.

Always,
Mother

Tell me everything. Love to Joe.

Dear De,

Got your note just as I got home tonight. I wrote you a big letter and I am not sure if I put a stamp on it.

Get in touch with Evaline. 908 4th Ave SW. Pryallup telephone is 3748 or 3948. She tried so hard to find you. Called me on the phone Thursday evening when you left.

Dad is mailing your stamp books. Dar nor Ed haven’t been in since you left. How are you honey? I miss you so much. How are you getting along?

Won’t you tell me all about it. You know I am the one who worries about you.

I must check in, getting late.

With all my love and good wishes. Hope you had a pleasant Easter.

Kisses,
Mother

Dear De,

I was surprised that there wasn’t a letter from you tonight. Just a week. Don’t forget me so soon. I am so worried. So many things go through my head. Won’t you try and write to me. If only a card will do. I know then you are alright.

Did you get your ration book? I am getting stamps from a girlfriend. Shall I send them to you? I will gladly if you can use them.

I won’t write much. I was out tonight a fare well on Janette’s.

Have I done anything wrong De? Are you mad at me? If there is anything, write me about it. Dar nor Ed’s have been in since you left. They came and got the stove, thank you and goodbye.

So I am very much alone, but I am simply beside myself that you don’t write. 3 letters in 2 weeks.

Well goodnight. May God bless you and keep you.

Love,
Mother

Dear Son Joseph,

I am so worried about DeLores. I don’t know why she doesn’t write .I am so afraid something has gone wrong with her. Won’t you write to me and let me know how she is getting along. I hope I haven’t done anything to offend her or you.

I sure would do anything for both of you if you need my help. I can’t write much tonight

I am so upset, so do this for me please. I will do better next time.

With love and good wishes as ever,
Mother

Dear De and Joe,

I am waiting for Jerry and Dick and Dar to come get their stove so will write you in the meantime. How are you getting on? Have you money to go on with? I know it goes too fast.

What kind of work are you doing and where is Joe at now? You don’t tell me anything that I would like to know.

Addie is coming Wednesday and we are going to take in a show. Thursday evening a party on Jarmette. Friday evening a party and Mrs. Markgrafs house. Next week a party at Mrs. Sparr’s. I am really getting to be a bum.

Ed and Helen or Dar haven’t been in since you left, but it doesn’t worry me in the least. But I wish I could have a good visit with you. I sure miss you a lot, but I will take it on the chin. Haven’t heard from Bud for 3 weeks. Addie is so worried. Floyd is on his way over, don’t know when.

I am working very hard. They put on a night crew again, so much work. Raymond Beane came home on a furlough.

Well dear, they are here now, so with love and kisses to you both.

I am ever,
Mother

May God bless you both. Write.

Dad wired your ration book.

My dear son and DeLores

A few lines from Mother this Saturday afternoon. Worked till 12. 93 1/2 hours this week. Not bad.

How do you like your work and what you do? Tell me all about it and do you like it? I got a beautiful plant from Addie for Easter, gave the children some candies, and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and Dad and I are going to the Roman Cafe to eat tomorrow and 4 o’clock. We are too lazy to cook so that is the easiest way out.

Jerry broke the bridge of his nose and Dar says it is getting crooked. It must be some her that they have it hurts him quite badly. Dar has nearly everything ready to move. She said she was coming back Sunday but the other man said no.

Last night she was coming in to day again he said no. She can stay where she is at. It is ok. I keep my self very busy. Had company so didn’t finish my letter.

I am all ready to go eat. Beck’s have gone. Gave us $10 for staying with us. I got their bird and a studio couch on my porch.

The day is very beautiful and I didn’t go to church. I had quite a bad spell but don’t worry about it. I thought I had better rest.

I don’t know what happened to me but I hurried into the sink and I couldn’t breathe and now I am as fit as a fiddle.

Did you find a place to live yet? I hop. Dad has his garden taken care of and everything is green and fresh looking. Dar just called and wanted to come over and Mrs. Walker too. Just as we were ready to leave. Well honey, write mother, Ed & Helen. Haven’t been in since you left.

Try and call Evaline changed her address from 743 2 NE St NW to 908 4th Ave. She wrote me a big letter and she tried so hard to get you. She is so anxious to see you. Telephone 3948 or 3748

I can’t make it out. It is a double no.

Dad wants to know about your ration stamps. What to do with. Let me know.

Hugs and kisses. As ever your,
Mother

I hope everything is going fine with Joe and yourself.

Love to both

I am so excited about this next letter! With Grandma now in Seattle/Bremerton with Grandpa, I now get my very first letters from my OTHER great grandma — Laura Kloppenburg Albright. It never gets old to see their handwriting, and the way they sign off with so much love, and the way they write “Mother.” My heart feels bigger reading it. And I feel connected to this line of mothers in a deeply intimate way.

What. A. Gift.

---

My dear children,

I got both of your letters today. I had expected one yesterday but didn’t get it until today. It is raining here and it is nasty going downtown to buy Easter things for the grandchildren.

Addie and Mr. and Mrs. Fuss were here Tuesday evening and Addie got me a beautiful plant.

Did you get your little suitcase back? Let us know and dad will go after the Red Cap.

I am very tired and nervous tonight. I can’t hardly write. 10 bundles for 4 days and it got me down.

Did you get Emaline’s telegram? She called me Thursday evening and wanted your married name. She was going to write you to tell you when she would meet you. You must get in touch with her. She was so happy that you were coming to Seattle. I am very glad that Joe is looking better. Give him a big hug for me.

Mr. and Mrs. Bickworth are staying with us for a week and then they are going on the road with him.

Darleen is moving into her new home the 27th. Sold their car to Dick and she misses it she said.

Did you find a place to live? I mean something decent? Are you going to work or are you coming home? Again if you are coming back you had better tell your boss so he will keep your job.

I hope Joe isn’t going on on the ocean. That would worry me to death.

Well my dear. I must get something to eat, so with love and kisses to you both.

God bless you as ever,
Mother

Dearest Joe,

Your letters were received and I was glad to hear from you that you are feeling fine. Bernice had a letter from Ralph Monday. Dear Joe try and write him letters. He wants to hear from you.

I just wonder if you know that we have Passover. It started after 19, it is kind of a lonesome Passover for me, but I am making the best of everything hoping it will all come out in the wash.

I am feeling just fair, don’t worry over me with best regards to DeLores and loads of love and kisses to you.

From your loving,
Mother

---

April 22, 1943

Dear Joe,

Well seeing you won’t answer my letters, I guess I’ll have to write anyhow.

How are you feeling, and how does it feel to have your wife with you? I sure wish I could be near Ralph. He is in Australia and not nearby. I got two letters the other day from Ralph and he wants to know why you don’t write. He says he knows you are not that busy that you can’t spend a few minutes to drop him a line. Consider yourself bawled out.

Sam Ziegler is home now but has to be quiet for awhile.

Say, I sure am proud of you for writing so many letters to your mother. If you were here I think I’d give you a nice big hug. She sure feels better now that she hears from you. Ralph sent your mother a nice letter about three weeks ago. It was a birthday reminder, better late than never, I’d say.

The Ziegler family are all right so far.

Say, I’ll have you know I’m always a good girl but when I sleep I am even better.

Sis Ackert has been here since Sunday night so we have been on the go almost all the time. Milton is still around, they deferred him til July. George Ackert left last night for Alaska. He couldn’t find a job here.

By the time you get this letter you should have your box of cakes. Well so much for now. Write soon. Say hello to DeLores.

Please write to Ralph.

Love Bernice,

P.S. Please write to Ralph.

Dearest Mom,

Well, here I am out in Bremerton. Joe didn’t meet me at Seattle, but I got a long distance phone call through to him and he got to meet me in about 2 hours. He didn’t receive my wire somehow so he really wasn’t expecting me.

We got a hotel room in Seattle Saturday night that I really didn’t care for. We are in Bremerton in a darling Inn. It is Sunday and the weather is beautiful. I really don’t like Seattle very much. Of course I’ve only seen a very small part of it.

My trip out was very pleasant. Please forgive me for not writing on the train, but my small bag was lost so I didn’t have any equipment. Everything is ok. I’ve got all my baggage and I’m with Joe.

Joe received your wire today. I hope you were not too worried about me. I’m quite ok. I met a very nice solider on the train who paid for almost everything for me. I was a nice gal all the time.

Darling it is late so I’ll close for tonight. I haven’t any definite address as yet, but will write tomorrow. I hope to get a room tomorrow. I’ll let you know what it is at once. I miss you already. I hope you aren’t worrying too much. Don’t work too hard. Please. I’ll see you soon.

Your loving daughter,
DeLores

P.S. Hello from Joe also. I’m not used to writing for both of us yet.

Dear Joe:

Just a line to let you know that we are all fine and hope to hear from you the same.

Now will you just tell me why you haven’t answered my last letter? I’m sure that I haven’t said anything out of the way and here I’m waiting to send you that package. Easter is here and I want to send you something but I want to know whether or not you are still there.

I know that you work hard but we all do. Look at me, I get up at 4:30, work as a welder in the shipyard, and don’t get home until 4:30 and still find a little time for something to do that I like. Building ships is great and I like it very much and the group of people I work with are grand and a pleasure to work with so that helps.

The biggest thrill of my life was to be at the launching of the first ship I worked on. Last Sunday the second one I worked on went down the Bay and believe me on that one, I worked from the start to the finish and today my third one left. Joey, it’s a great feeling if you have any idea.

Have you heard from Mother? How is she I haven’t had time to write to anyone but I will do so as soon as I get a little organized. Have you heard from Ralph? Tell me all about it. Please answer me real soon for I want to send you that package and please let me know if you smoke. That is all until I hear from you and hope that this will find you in the best of health. I’m closing with loads of love from all to you.

I’m as ever your cousin,

Rose