I found this letter from my husband’s mom. She quit school in 8th grade to help on the farm and was always so embarrassed about her writing, so we don’t have much from her. This is what she wrote to her 4 kids, 60 years after meeting her husband. She was always so spunky and loved dad very much.

Our Dear Children,
You are such a wonderful part of our life.

I met your Dad in Jan. 1946. I worked at Kresses, a 5c and 10c store. Clodell, his sister, worked there also. She was expecting her husband, Leon, any time from over seas. When her mother, which I already knew came in with a good looking serviceman, I went over to tell Clodell she could have the rest of the day off. She then introduced me to her brother, Nelson.

All the girls thought he was so handsome. He came in to pick up his sister after work a lot. He would visit with me and try to get me to go on a date. I was dating another guy from highschool. One day Nelson came in, asking me out again. His buddy was getting married and he wanted someone to go with him to the wedding. I was unhappy with my boyfriend, so I said Sure. That was 58 years ago. [It is] now 60 [years on'] 3-20-2006

Written by Mary L. Dovel. Recorded here by her son David’s wife, Anne C. Dovel