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"4744 York St.
Minneapolis, Minn.
July 14, 1954
"Dearest George,
"I was more than happy to have a letter from you when we got to Owatonna
Monday evening. Elsie brought it when she, George and Dad & I came to the funeral parlor.
"Everything is over now for Dad.
He is resting there beside our Mother in
the peaceful cemetery at Owatonna where she went just twenty years ago
today. The arrangements went off well after the error on the baggage check
was taken care of. They were most cooperative at Ogden and also at Kansas
City when I double checked. The person at S.J. terminal who was
responsible certainly deserved a reprimand for his carelessness. Dad stood
the trip well. Except for a slight discoloration on the hands he looked as
well as at home. His sisters thot he looked good except that he was
thinner. Aunt Clara, Aunt Pauline and
Aunt Mary plus a number of other
relatives from Foley and friends from Claremont came Monday eve. Father Specht
of Owatonna led a Rosary service at 8. He also said the requiem
Mass at Claremont at 9:30 yesterday. Four of Dad's sisters and his brother
Louie were there. The out of State brothers couldn't come and Aunt Mary's
children thot it best that she not come since she had been there Monday
eve. She's not well. Edmund came from Milwaukee on Sunday and went with
Sis, John Janet and me to the funeral. Don
with the help of Brick's
mortuary did a good job of taking care of all details on this end. George
and Elsie as usual were wonderful in helping all of us as were the Jaebs.
They took all the relatives and pall bearers to the Owatonna hotel for
lunch afterward. Besides George V., Bill, Edmond, Vic Jaeb, Jack Redican,
Harold Murray and Joe Von Ruden acted as pall bearers. It was very hot:
in fact yesterday was 93° the hottest day of the year. We got
back here about 2:30 and couldn't get out of our clothing fast enough. The
expenses here at Brick's are $102.50, but that includes a flower spray that
we asked them to buy for the family. Alvina and
Bill brought their own but
I'm sure the others will want to contribute toward the one we bought. Don
didn't think to ask if this amount included the grave opening but it seems
to me they would have advised him if it didn't but we'll check. Haven't
made the contribution to the church either as yet. Claremont doesn't have
a regular pastor at present.
"Your letter of the 12th just arrived on the writing. So that's how our
new Daly City postmark looks. It's stamped 11:30 P.M. Not bad service!?
"I was in Ogden Saturday at 6:25 A.M. Was about a half hour late getting
into Owatonna but the train was late at K.C. I'm surely indebted to Bro. George
for getting the faster train from K.C. Trains ride quite
comfortable now, but the time seems long anyway. At the moment I think I
should fly back.
"My luggage was lost or at least the case you checked. I saw it on the car
between S.J. and Ogden but not again, so got to thinking about it later. I
decided I'd inquire at K.C. and it hadn't come in. That check you gave me
was only a Red Cap check and not a regular destination baggage check. They
were very cooperative at K.C. as well as at the Rock Island at Owatonna.
As we suspected it had gone there to Chicago on the Overland Limited. The
Milwaukee called this A.M. to say that it had been found and sent to Mpls.
from O. I suppose they called George Vagstad and he asked them to send it
over. I'm glad I put that tag on it. I thot you got that checked very
quickly. There was no indication at all as to where it was going. If I
had inquired at Ogden it would have been alright. The Red Caps take care
of them, but I thot it had been checked straight thru. Anyway it's here
now and I have had too much on my mind to worry much. I was so glad there
was no hitch in the other phase of the trip, to be concerned about the
case. It's too bad you won't have to buy me a new wardrobe now.
"One of the good parts about this trip is to have seen
Ed. He has completely recovered and is back in business again with enthusiasm.
He was taking care of business matters here on Monday. Isabel is on vacation in
Canada. Ed flew back home last night.
"Everyone else is fine. Sis went back to
work today and Janet is attending one summer school. Don is very! busy. Dick is
helping at the shop this summer. Dorothy's youngest sister was married last night to a young
Marine. They were leaving for Oceanside, Calif. today - will live in a
trailer. Alvina and Bill plan to drive to
Greeley, Col. the last week in July to see Carol. Bill has only one week of vacation
left since he took one week when Carol was married. They brought the
baby on Sunday. She is a sweet little thing. Marge is the only one I've seen so far
(of their family).
"George and Else may driving Friday eve.
Sis invited them to a barbeque.
The Morses will be coming on Sunday. I think I'll be going back with them
so as not to interfere with their vacation preparations. Then they can
take me to Claremont the latter part of next week. I will come back here
and no doubt leave from here - when I'm not sure. Maybe the first week in
August.
"The Minnesota green grass and trees look so beautiful. It's bright and
warm today but there's a wonderful breeze.
"Your father looks fine tho thinner. He said he'd just written to
Dad.
"Would you please pass this around to the rest of the family dear, so I
won't have to rewrite the details. Be a good boy. Much love, F."
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