Letter from Ellen to her sister Ruth in Sweden (translated from Swedish)

                                                                                         Joliet, Ill

                                                                                               Nov 29, 1954

 Dear Ruth and Oscar,

First I want to thank you for my birthday letter and the family picture. It is so nice and you are all so aristocratic-looking! I was sorry Arne wasn’t on it.

We have had a hard summer. On Fourth of July I went to church and when I got home I fainted on the back steps so my children sent for the pulmotor and then took me to then hospital. I was there four days. With the doctor and the medicine it cost 250 dollars for four days. The rest of the summer I had to take it easy. Donals was married on September 18 so I was able to go to the wedding. It was in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, 180 miles from here. The day before the wedding, Mildred’s husband, Harry, was taken to the hospital with a bad kidney. He died on October 25. Mildred and all of us feel so bad about his death.

Levida is coming over today to do some sewing. She is a handy lady to have around because I can’t even thread a needle. She likes it at the home and the people there like her too. Beda was here for three days. We had a nice time, she’s so full of fun.

 Edvin called from Detroit and they are fine. He has another grandson.

 I hope you will have a Happy Christmas. Even if we have sorrows, we have to make the best of it.

 Please congratulate Sigbrit on her new son. She has a nice boy.

 Love

Ellen and family