Tag / St. Paul

by schrackert

March 16, 1943 | Dear Joe

Dearest husband Joe,

How is my own husband this day? In good health and spirits I hope. I am doing OK for myself again. My cold is better and other than being tired I am fine.

I’ve eaten supper, take a nap and washed dishes. Mom and dad are both sleeping so you see how we feel around here. No ambition. Life is just routine without you. I want you much, but being apart really gives me something to work for. The better we work the more the boys gets to do with and the sooner everything will be happy again. That’s why you can work hard to make good. I am so proud of my husband. I wish I could be with him but it won’t be long before we will be together.

I didn’t get that letter you promised me today but I don’t mind. I know you haven’t done a washing for some time and that you were working a long day Wednesday, so even if one of those wasn’t the reason I still understand. I love you and I’ll make you and us happy. Our life will be happy together we can accomplish anything we want, can’t we?

Someday I’ll be everything just the way you want to me. I know this one thing, many things that I’m doing to have to change and you also perhaps but it will all come out in the wash. Anyway I’ve got to wash my hair this evening so please forgive me for cutting this short. God bless you happy. See you soon.

Your loving wife

Love,

DeLores

by schrackert

Dear Brother-in-Law Joe: January 18, 1943

I have written before how my grandma and grandpa got married despite the fact that my grandma was Lutheran and my grandpa was Jewish. Grandpa’s mother, Esther, was really upset about the two of them being together. This letter was written by my great aunt Bernice, who was living with Esther during the war while her husband Ralph, my grandpa’s brother, was serving in the Army.

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Dear Joe,

Well here I am again reporting from the Ackert home on Payne Avenue. As for the weather it is terrible, in fact it is way below zero right now. Mother is laying on the davenport and I am catching up on my writing. I wrote a letter to Ralph and when I’m through writing to you I’m going to write to your aunt Sarah. They are in Arizona and seem to like it very much. She feels well now and says your uncle Louie doesn’t want to go back to Minnesota.

We haven’t heard from Ralph for over a month now so God knows where he is. We hope to get a letter soon.

Say, did you get the cookies your mother sent, and how did he like them. Sylvia is leaving for California Wednesday evening, as Julius has finally found a place to live. They have been at your aunt Linka’s and I guess the kids have been driving your aunt crazy.

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Say Joe I sure hope you can forget DeLores for your mother’s sake. She feels bad about you and her. I still think you should find yourself a Jewish girl or maybe you have one in mind already.  I know you must love DeLores but you are young yet and have lots of time to get married. After all there are lots of fish in the sea at least I have found that out for myself and I’m not sorry I married well. Love is a lot of baloney if you ask me, I mean a love for one certain person, the thought that you will never find anyone like him or her again. But as time goes on you soon find someone to take their place. Someone even better.

Ralph sends me money every month and I bought us a $50 bond and we now have a bank account started. So when he comes home we can start on our own.

Say Joe don’t think I am butting into your affairs, because I really am not. I know you are hurting your mother. Well goodbye for now and write soon.

With love,
Bernice

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by schrackert

Dear Joe: January 17, 1943

Hello sweetheart husband,

Well darling I will start writing early this Sunday morning. Mom has already done the washing and I have almost finished cleaning the house. I have had a very good time playing with baby Jerry. He is such a good natured baby. I don’t feel as mad as I did last night when I wrote. One night’s sleep gets one over many things. Even the blues. I will have to make lunch very soon.

Hello again, an afternoon has passed and I haven’t yet finished writing. Addie came over this afternoon and I went to sleep. We think Bud is in North Africa. At least that’s what we can gather from what we hear. Jerry is sitting on my lap.

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Hello Joe. This is baby Jerry. How are you? Well goodbye for this time. Jerry

That note is from baby Jerry’s own hand. Mom and I just made some homemade ice cream. I’m going to make some box soup and have ice cream for supper. I talked to Mrs. Lehner and she is going to write to you this afternoon. She heard from Will. He got back OK but what he is going into now isn’t so pleasant. The ship has been made into a Marine transport and I guess it’s will be Will’s job to get the Marines to shore and then try to get back to his ship. If he is lucky he will get back. All we can do is pray for him. You and all the thousands of boys.

Darling, I just had supper and have done dishes. I just can’t write today. My thoughts just run all together. Hope you can make a letter sense out of this mess. Darling, I do love you. That’s about all I can keep right in my mind. I pray for you and all the boys away from home and friends. I will always be true to our love and keep planning inside for the future. Our future. What is our future? Hard times, family, making new friends. Time will tell. As long as we love each other it will be complete. Even our love keeps us both going though thousands of miles are between us. It is something about being apart that only makes our love stronger and truer. I know that now.

I just washed my mom and my hair. I’ll try finishing this letter. I think I’ll have Iris, Lily, Bernice, Lucille, Addie and myself Saturday night to celebrate my 19th birthday. It’s right around again. Don’t try to send me anything. Just save it until we can use it together. That will be enough to make up for everything. Anyway, I plan I’m going to a show and then come home and Monday we will have a brunch. Addie will stay overnight as Iris, Bernice and I are going dancing Sunday night. To our plant’s party at Rose Hill. More fun I hope. It won’t be complete without my Joe. But will try. I know you will be thinking of me.

By the way, I forgot to put that dollar in that letter I said I did. We are all writing around here. Mom wants me to write Bud a few lines so I’ll have to cut it short. Good luck in your navel training. Be a success. I’m proud of you and I know I should be. I’ll always be proud of you. You will make me proud. Keep working and studying for us. I love you and you alone very dearly and always will.

Love,

Dolores, your future wife

P. S. See you soon and keep our love always in your heart. And growing. I do and will continue to love. Bye bye

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 15, 1943

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Dear Sweetheart,

I hope you will forgive me for not writing the last couple of days. I’m a bad girl, but I do love you in the bottom of my heart. I really want to make you happy and if in my letters I’m even a bit sour Betty just remembered we have our off days. Sometimes I’m like you are.

They certainly give you kids a workout. I bet by the time you get back you will really be able to handle me. Probably even out swim me. I’m wonderfully happy you could get to see some of the fellows from home.

I was worried for a minute after reading your Sunday evening letter, informing me of your plan to call here Thursday night. You see, I didn’t get home until 10:30 from downtown and then I got your letter. I just screamed to mom to see if you had called and I missed it. Please darling don’t take chances with something so important and expensive. At least send your letter Air Mail. I get those in at least three days, otherwise 4 or 5 days. Darling I would like to talk to you also but please don’t cut yourself short to call. I’ll send you 1 dollar tonight to help you out. By the way what happened but you didn’t call? Liberty cancelled. Were you a bad boy? I don’t really mean that. Did you get your picture taken? I hope.

Darling what would you like for Valentines Day besides me? Candy or maybe another box or just what would you appreciate for the day? I hope you want me, but of course you can’t have me, at least until you get home. Please, don’t take me wrong. Darling are you taking care of your cold like a nice boy? Take care of yourself for me. I love you and want to keep you in good health and spirits. While I’m not with you please take good care of yourself until I can do my job.

Now I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing. Last night I was shopping with Miller and Bernice. We had a good time. As good as I could have without you. Sweetheart I got my diamond back today. It is so beautiful. Anyone would love it. Even me. Sweetheart I love you and still plan the day. Darling I want you to call if you can but please don’t run yourself short and please let me know beforehand. I have lots of this to do this evening so I’ll have to cut it short to lay off until I get it. God bless and take care of yourself for me. I love you and I am a good girl even if I’m out with the girls. We have fun but it isn’t like when we are together. I have a different kind of fun when I’m with you. It’s just something you can’t explain in words isn’t it?.

Love,

DeLores (your future wife)

P.S. I’ll write a nice letter Saturday night. I’m staying home so I’ll be good. More later.

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 8, 1943

Hello My Darling,

How are you this fine evening? Well I hope. I’m very tired as I stopped downtown and spent my whole check on bills. I gave to Twin City $10.00; Hoff $5.00 and your jeweler $5.00. By the way, his records show you owe him $16 and some cents. Is that what you thought it was? I’m having him make my ring a bit larger as it is very tight and also having J.A. and D.A. and the date put in it. By the way, do you remember the date? Just wonder if you remember the most wonderful one so far in our lives together (or at least on the most important).

I hope you O.K. my doing about the ring and is it all right or I mean is he alright to trust with my ring? I think now I should have asked first but when I’m downtown I don’t always have it on and I was there and everything . Darling he can be trusted with my diamond, can’t he? Mom was a bit put out with me because I left it with him, but after all you bought it from him and he’s a friend of yours. It is ok, isn’t it? I’m very worried about it so please let me know. I came home anyway and mom was cleaning house and I made a bit to eat and we had supper. Then we did dishes and we started closing the K. Mom got me down and I really gave the mopboards a work out. I just finished and I’m a mess. I bet  you can just about imagine.

I’m sorry I didn’t write last night but I got one off this afternoon from work so you shouldn’t miss. I got your letter of the 5th and I am sorry I ever sent you that sad letter. I really should not have but you know me. Try to make those cold tablets last as I’ve spent most of my check paying bills so I just haven’t got the money to buy it to send. I still haven’t been able to put any money away. I guess I’m just no good. It’s going to be a struggle for you to teach me how to hold on to the stuff. You’re so good at it. Have you gotten the box as yet? Did you find the dollar in the money belt?

Darling I’m just so tired I can’t write anymore. Try to forgive me for doing so badly but my hand burns from wringing the old mop rag. Remember darling I love you and I think of you all the time. God bless you and keep you. I’ll write more tomorrow. I just can’t go on anymore tonight.

Love,

Your wife DeLores

P.S. I’ll be all right after a few hours of sleep. I’m just tired so don’t worry about me.

P.S.S. These are all kisses for my darling.

LOVE

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 6, 1943

The last letter introduced a friend of my grandparent’s… Will Lehner. He’s come up a few times now, and in this letter my grandma sends my grandpa a few pictures. Who is this guy they speak so fondly of but isn’t family? I asked my dad, and it turns out Will is a close friend of both of theirs from high school. My dad thinks he remembers Will being my grandma’s dance partner. He stayed very close friends with my grandparents throughout the years and they think he even came to my grandma’s funeral two years ago.

Will is a pretty remarkable fellow. He enlisted in the Navy in 1938. In the early morning on December 7, 1941, Will was on the gun crew of the USS Ward patrolling the entrance to Pearl Harbor. He fired the very first shots of World War II, intercepting and sinking a 2 man Japanese submarine at 6:40 am… an hour and 20 minutes before the actual attack on Pearl Harbor. Wow. That’s all I have to say about that.

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Hello Darling Sweetheart,

Just got home and read your two wonderful letters. I also got your menu and it is certainly beautiful. Mom says I should have it framed for us. What do you think? I sort of agree with her.

Darling please don’t worry about my seeing Will and Ken. Mrs. Lehner had some kids over there last night, me included. Will hasn’t changed much — a little older. He wears a mustache, not bad. I don’t even know if it tickles. I didn’t try it. Aren’t you disappointed? I’m not. I’m very selfish. I’m saving them for us so I don’t run out. Will has taken to drinking pretty much and he insisted I have one with him. It was weak and only one. Please don’t be angry but I couldn’t tell him no after all this time.

News, Will met me up at the drug store so I wouldn’t have to walk down alone and Helen was with him. She holds on as if she is glued to him. All evening he invited her in front of everyone and everyone was talking about her behind her back. I only had a few words with him alone, but he said he would call and give me the dope. He did say however that he wasn’t worrying about it as life is too uncertain at the present time. He has asked her for the ring but she thinks it can still work out for them together. I really don’t think Will does.

Will got away from her long enough to meet Florence Saul or something like that. He said you know her. She lives up your way. He had try little to say about the war. But he said a sailor should not be married. He said it is too hard or something. I guess he meant it was hard to get along without. I think my husband is strong enough to control his, well, you know what. Ken is as bashful as ever, takes a few but not like Will. He is really off, but he can take care of himself. So much for the kids except they are leaving Saturday morning so I won’t be able to see them off. It would have only made more confusion anyway.

In your first letter tonight you were on my neck for not writing and in the second vica versa. Anyway, I do get a letter off almost every day and I can’t see why you don’t get them for a couple of days and then get 3 at once. Just another mystery. Anyway we are both doing our best and that’s all either of us can do. If your studying should be done, I’ll understand if you put it first. I just want you to make good. Very good.

I’m glad to hear you saw Mill and know there are a few of your friends out there with you. Have you seen Don D. as yet? You kids from school should get together some time. I mean if they give you any time off out of K.P.

Will is the best cook on his ship I hear. Not a bad catch for some gal, but not me. I can’t see what I even saw in him other than a friend. Oh well! We must live and learn.

Darling, about sending anymore for a couple of weeks I think not unless you really need them. You see, the government is only giving us $60 a year for clothing with the little I’ve got I’ll have to get a few things first. Please don’t think I don’t think enough of you to give up anything, but you should have enough for a few days.

Darling I won’t be angry about the luncheon cloth. I am a bit disappointed because you said you had left $.50 on it but it isn’t enough to get mad over. I hope you don’t think I’m going out too much. It helps to keep me from getting lonesome somehow. How do you suppose your mom found out about our plans? I’m very sorry too that she had to hear, but we can’t cry over spilled milk. I guess it was better now that I didn’t call her after all. Please write to her though and to Hi too if you possibly can. They would like to hear. They ask about you every day. I have to get to bed early tonight as it was 1:00 by the time I got into bed. Darling, I love you and you alone. By the way, Bob Law is enlisting in the Navy also. He expects to leave next week. Also to Idaho. I’m very tired so I’ll sign off for this time.

Love,

DeLores

Darling, if you ever go out, please take care of yourself in every way and I rust you to the end. This picture of the kids were taken in the spring so they aren’t too new, but it’s an idea. I love you darling and may God e with you always. Keep your chin and head and heart light.

Love,

Your future wife, “Me”

P.S. Say if you should get a leave in March maybe it might just be March 3, hmmmmm? Any day would please me but I’d like that one special. Anyway, we’ll see won’t we? Just so it is. See you soon!

xxxxxxxxxxxx

by schrackert

Dear Joe : 12/23/1942 and 12/25/1942

Hello my sweetheart,

I guess I better not start out the same way again tonight. It will only be a few lines again. I am more tired than ever tonight. That party we had at work was really work. More trouble. The milk man gave us the wrong ice cream order. We got the Navel Reserve order instead of ours. We called the milk company and they said we should use what we had. We ordered Bricks of Christmas design and we got Bricks Assorted instead. Then we called the Navy and they were going to send a station wagon over to us and exchange the ice cream. It was 12:00 and they hadn’t come. Well I was in the middle of an argument about where we were going to eat — in Dope or Fabric. Fabric won. It was supposed to be our party.

Oh, well back to the ice cream. Bernice went over to the Guard Room and on the way she met the milk man. As luck would have it he had 8 bricks with him so we exchanged the stuff with him. I still don’t know if the Navy got their ice cream. Who cares?

Well the party after all turned out very well. Mr. LaMont gave a very brief talk and also passed a 1/2# box of candy. Or I should say gave it to us and I passed it.

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12/25/1942

Well it’s Christmas again. A very different kind of Christmas than I’ve been used to. From all outward appearances it was just another day. I got up about 10:00 o’clock. Mom and I made dinner and cleaned up the house. It was dinner for just the three of us. No company for a change. We had turkey and it was very good, but some how it didn’t go over so well. We (mom, dad and I) went over to Darleen’s last night. Spent the evening with them. I went to sleep on the floor. Somehow I haven’t any pep. I guess I haven’t you to get me started.

I got a few things or Christmas. Mostly from Mother as usual. She gave me my 2 pair of pillow cases that I ordered and 4 beautiful print hankies. Dar gave me a bath and guest towel and wash cloth. I gave her a slip and Jerry 50 cig and the baby a pair of slippers. I received two cheap guest towels from Helen. Addie got nice ones and hankies from the kid. I guess I just don’t rate. I gave them a slip to Helen, carton of cig to Ed. Donald overalls and Eileen a sweater. Well I tried to do my part anyway.

I sent your 3 kids each a nice hankie. Just a small remembrance. I went to church the afternoon to see the kids say the pieces. very tiresome but duty demands. Demands what? I’m just a praise sucker. Joe, I sincerely hope you’re with me next year to keep me from spending so much unappreciated money. Please don’t think I’ve forgotten you completely. I’ve just been too busy to get your cookies in the oven. I have almost everything together to make up your box. I know that doesn’t hit the spot but try to be patient with me. I received your try sweet letter yesterday and it made me very happy and sad. Darling I miss you more every hour. Sweetheart, I know it must be hundred times harder for you to be way out there all alone, but I’m lonesome for you too. Darling, we must be married when you come home. At least we will be sure of one another. Then you won’t have any question in your mind as to how true is my DeLores.

I know you trust me but I still want you to be all mine. Sweetheart, I love you so dearly. I just can’t put it in words anymore. It just won’t express my true feelings. You know how I felt when you left, well just double it and add a million and a bit more and you may have it.

Have you heard if boot camp will be 12 weeks or not? Please let me know as soon as you do hear. I hope you are feeling better than you were when you did when you wrote me last. Those darn shots are truly bad stuff aren’t they? The only comfort both of us have is that when I get you back you’ll be more perfect than before. Poor excuse but we must have some encouragement.

I love you my darling but I must sign off for this time. I will do my best to write every day from now on. I have been so busy Christmas shopping and all. God Bless you my sweetheart. Keep your chin up and I will too. Loads of love and kisses from your future wife.

Love,

DeLores

P.S. I mean all the love in the world to the man of my dreams. Take care of yourself for me.

by schrackert

Dear Brother Joe : 12/14/1942

I thought I’d take a little detour from the love letters to share a letter from my Great Uncle Hi to my grandpa.  Hi is the brother that my grandma mentioned in her first letter. He and Alice brought my grandma to Minneapolis to see my grandpa off when he left for basic training in Idaho. They believed in my grandparent’s love, even when grandpa’s mom disapproved.

Family is a crazy thing. Great Uncle Hi is no longer with us. He was about 25 years older than my grandpa, so he passed away quite a while ago. But I grew up with his great grandchildren! We still do family Christmas together. This one I share for my cousins.

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Dear Brother Joe,

Received your letter, we were very glad to hear from you, and also that you arrived safe and sound. We hope that everything will be O.K. Bernice got a letter from Ralph. By this time our dear brother is many miles out to sea.

Mother is quite lonesome, having to take care of the fort [??] is quite a job. The kids are all O.K. Hope everything will be O.K. with you. Keep your chin up and everything will be all right. Just two more lessons to go to finish my course.

It’s been trying awfully hard to snow. The streets are awfully slippery. Had a black out here Monday night.

Love,

Hi, Alice and Kids

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by schrackert

Dear Joe : 12/21/1942

UPDATE: So after I posted this, my mom read it and commented below. She made the connection that the beautiful bright red velvet robe that my grandma talks about below was actually given to me by my grandma when I was little. She gave it to me for playing dress up, and I loved that robe. It made the perfect royal cloak, red riding hood cape, blanket… you know, the normal stuff. I’m sure my grandma probably told me about the robe when she gave it to me, but it clearly didn’t stick with me. It’s too bad… because who keeps their dress up clothes? I’m sure that red robe was sent to Goodwill a long time ago.

Hello My Sweetheart,

Just a line tonight as I’m rather tired. Went downtown right from work and it’s about 8:45 o’clock now. I received your two letters and was very happy to hear from you. Boy, that Navy is sure giving you a work out, isn’t it?

Darling you sound as though you aren’t in favor of my freedom. Could be, I’m really being the girl you want me to be. Even if I go out with the girls I’ll conduct myself in a way you would approve of. Remember sweetheart, I’m planning on marriage.

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Mom and I bought almost all of our xmas gifts. I got Eileen an awfully cute red sweater and mom bought her a pair of satin P.Js. Not bad. I got Dad a couple of neck ties, Ed some cig. and some for Jerry. Donald got wine overalls and Baby Jerry a pair of slippers. Mother bought me a beautiful robe — bright red velvet. It’s just beautiful. I hope you’ll like it sweetheart. After all, it’s for our wedding outfit.

Have you heard anything about a leave as yet? Don’t mind me, after all there is a 1,500 mile lap between us. Say, I think I’m going to like this having a well trained husband. I’ll get my breakfast in bed yet. However, I would be satisfied if I could have you in my arms right now, trained or otherwise.

Don’t wait for a box. It may take a few weeks to get it all together. Are you running low on funds yet? Let me know if you want for anything other than me. I’ll send you anything you need. Tell me what you want for xmas as I don’t know what you can have.

Darling please forgive me for being impatient about your mail. I hear from you quite regularly. Two letters today. 17th and 18th. Well, I’m very tired so will retire soon. Will write more tomorrow. I love you so very much darling. Please keep up the old spirit. I’ll be everything you want me to be, Sweet. God bless you all.

Love,

DeLores

P.S. Guard these as you would have me guard yours. I missed your heart and I’ll take extra special care of our hearts. Please let me know if you hear anything about a leave. I love you more every hour. xxxxxxx

by schrackert

Dear Joe : 12/17/1942

It’s easy to forget how young my grandparents were when they wrote these letters. Grandpa was 19 and grandma was 18. They’d graduated from high school only 6 months earlier. My grandpa enlisted in the Navy one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. According to my dad, he was sworn in on December 7th, 1942 — my son, Peter’s birthday.

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December 17, 1942

Hello My Sweetheart,

Just read your two most wonderful letters. They are really appreciated. More perhaps than you can imagine. By the sound of things they are keeping you very busy. I suppose you are well in the midst of K.P. Is it as bad as what I know? The job is just what you make it isn’t it? Are your duties different for every day?

Saturday night watch did you see anything interesting? Do you kids get your evenings to yourself or are they arranged for you also? Darling, give me all the dope. Darling are you sure that not feeling good is only a headache? Do you have your glasses with you and do you put them on? I don’t like this not feeling good. After all I must look into my interests. Please try and take care of yourself. If not for you, for me. I guess working at a defense plant doing labor is nothing compared with 5:00 in the morning until anytime at night.

Ah, kid. All jokes aside, it isn’t a snap getting up at 5:00 and I should know. I almost overslept this morning. I got up and turned off the alarm at 5:15 and went back to bed. Mom finally called me at 5:45. Did I even move? I made the streetcar by 6:00 though.

Your mother just found out that Hi and Alice took me over to Minneapolis to see you off, and I guess she was very put out about it. The only way we can figure out how she found out is from Mrs. Lehrner. Oh well, what’s to be expected? Your mother is going to be put out about a few other things in a short time too. I know that’s a snotty attitude to have about the whole thing, but we are going to live our own lives and I’m sure we can make it a happy and full life together.

In spite of the fact that you  know nothing about a leave, I’m still dreaming and making a few plans. Buying a few clothes that will keep even if for a couple of months. I hope it won’t be that long but if it’s God’s will we’ll stand it.

Your telegram did not surprise me. Dad got the call as I was at the show with mother. He told me as soon as I got home. Coming like that it wasn’t such a shock. By the way, do you kids get nick nacks in the Navy? Sweets, if there is anything in the world I can send you please just let me know.

By the way, the only bill I have to pay is the jewelers isn’t it? Just how much was it? Oh! You said they were going to check for you, didn’t you? I was tempted to stop there this evening. Bernice and I were downtown shopping. We had to buy a few things for the Christmas party at work. More people downtown. You have to fight your way through the crowd. I have lots of shopping yet to do. I just haven’t felt up to it. I had an awful cold ever since you left. I guess I miss your loving care.

Hi is trying to look after me, but who could except you? Won’t you be happy when you can take full charge of this little girl. I’m just dying for the hour for us to say, “we do,” and he says “I pronounce you man and wife.” Well, you can’t stop me from dreaming.

I went to our old hangout for a steak supper tonight. They are still getting smaller. But very delicious. Also, Margaret Liss, Addie’s sister-in-law from Chicago, lost her baby in birth last night. Too bad isn’t it? We haven’t heard from Bud for the last two weeks. I suppose he is on his way somewhere. Who knows where. He, too, is in God’s hands. I guess those are about the best hands to be in right now.

Darling, remember I love you very much and I will be yours always. If it is God’s will we will be soon wed, as we both want so much. I feel it in my body it isn’t too far off. It just can’t be.

Well everyone has gone to bed around here so I think I’ll sign off and do the same. Try to write as often as you can. If you’re too tired, your sleep in this case is more important. Remember, I’ll soon be your wife and she’ll understand. Just be brave and keep looking ahead.

May God be with you and guard over you always. Until tomorrow night.

Love,

DeLores

P.S. Keep your chin up. I am. Just for us. Sometimes it’s hard when I don’t find you there to lean on, but I’m learning fast. xxxxxxx