Luther M. Winsor and Beatrice Snow Winsor letters to Lu and Wickie-1965

 From Luther

Jan 29, 1965

Luther, Wickie and Family-

Thanks so very much for remembring my birthday. I don't know how many more there will be but I just keep living on. Sunday AM at 9 o;clock I am invited to a special meeting. We will discuss in particular ----

Baptisms at the font and how to improve methods. Friday was a big day for me. Two sessions at the font, (750 baptisms), two endowments, twice at the veil then sealings 6-8 P.M. (mom's names or sheets entirely) Mom was there of course. 

Our love & thanks

Dad-Grandpa

From Beatrice

Jan 29th 1965

Dearest Lu and Wickie and the dear children: 

Enclosure reached us yesterday after a long, round-about trip. I guess Carl had your old address and it could be Aunt Theresa hasn't even had a new one as yet. 

I hope yo are all well, happy and well launched toward your objectives of the New Year. We are slowing done on the apartment hunting as of now - the house sale will persist until accomplished. That will be done before we can move anyway. I've been spoiled with such fine laundry convenience and it cannot be found in the old apartments close to town. 

Did you ever receive the lovely slip I had to return, Wickie? I've heard nothing about it and I am a bit worried. This is only a note and I will write again soon. Snow a'plenty here and lots of snow shoveling for Dad right now. His arthritis or muscle stiffness, whatever it is gives him a lot of discomfort but he feels he has to keep going as much as possible. 

Our love with hugs and kisses all around

Mom & Dad

From Luther

Feb 11 - '65

Dearest Luther, Wickie and family

Yes, we are still here but may not be here so long. Today Mr. Dent of Doxy-Layton- brought in a real "prospect", a Mr. Anderson who wants a place for himself and for eight boys. (he runs the Lund School for boys) We shall not know about his re-action until we hear again from Mr. Dent. 

Today we mailed to you six cans of "pear butt" that we - the High Priests of South Highland Park Ward made late last fall. we did not know that there was a surplus until recently. Thanks very much for the check you sent to me. it will help us along very much. 

mom is not feeling so good tonight. She seems to be having a cold, But she may add a few lines any way. 

We love you all very much -

Dad - Grandpa

Beatrice adds to this letter:

Dear Ones: I hoped to get through this year without a cold but have fought this one three days now without success. I'll be through with it soon, I hope. 

Pat writes she will have her milogram next Monday; to locate the position of the disc by X-Ray. The neuro surgeon confirmed her doctor's advice to remove the disc - no amount of exercise would restore the disc to its normal position. The numbness is still present & pain when standing on her feet. I can understand her anxiety in having it done but she has to have relief soon. I'm sure the Lord will hear our prayers. 

Thank you, Wickie for the slip - I did not expect you to replace the other one. This is a lot of bother for you. It arrived yesterday. Thanks again. Pat sent the lovely color photo of Dad & I - it is really nice - and a surprise that it came out so well. 

Hope you busy people are going to be equal to these extra responsibilities. Lu, we are extra proud of your acceptance of the new position in the bishopric. You will be more than repaid - I can testify. And you are suited to this counseling position. You have always stood firm for the "right" and you have a feeling for others that gives them confidence in you. The Lord bless you each day, we pray. 

Wickie, we love you for your faithfulness and a desire to help with the extra load in the Int. Revenue job. Please take it easy as you can, "keep well, all of you -Love to the dearest of children - 

Yours affectionately, Mom

I should have said the doctors will operate the next day after Pat's examination if their diagnosis is true. 

From Beatrice

March 17th 1965

Dearest Lu and Wickie & family, 

Thanks both of you for the R.R. letter and Wickie's extra letter. Every tiny but of new is so welcome. We think of you as a very busy, happy family doing the Lord's work and receiving some of the rewards that cling to it. Our teens are surely developing fast. Thank you again for giving us details Wickie. I hope you let nothing interfere with home evening. We sent the R.R. on a few days ago but you and Pat have to wait so long for it I thot best to inform you af the latest bits of new. We are moving to the Eagle Gate apartments in maybe one week or two or three. 

Rarely is one of these advertised because people live there for all their lives. Especially rare is a ground floor apartment vacated. the woman who lived there alone died of a massive heart attack. Until they vacate her things and put in a shower for us, et. we cannot move in. this location is perfect as you know and the most important item. My dreams for a new, easy-to-keep and beautiful apartment vanished over night. Dad is happy with this and we can make a cozy place. I will get used to the high ceilings and steam heat, etc. There are elevators to get down to the basement for laundry conveniences and we can set up our automatic there and use the dryer. We can use the south entrance door and take the elevator up to our ground floor apartment with takes 14 steps up to ground level on the State street side. The apartment has two small bedrooms, a living-dining room and a large kitchen with old-fashioned possibilities. we may even keep television in there. They are putting in a shower for us too so it may be two or more weeks before we leave. We will send the address to you as soon as we know it. 

how we would love to see and hear our grandchildren perform in Church activities - what a thrill! Maybe some day we will. The days are quite cool and we hope they will continue since floods are common talk now. Dad is on the phone half the time talking to the powers that be. They have turned things over to the U.S. Engineers and now his temperature is way up. Be happy and remember we love you and miss you. God bless you all -

Our love to you all, Hugs & kisses 

Mom & Dad

From Beatrice

12 April 1965

Dear Wickie and Luther: 

Your letter of Mar. 28, Wickie put us in touch again. Sorry about Bruce's close call - it must have been a real shock to everyone. We do hope he is now on the road to recover. What miracles are wrought in our age from the results of our dizzy race for supremacy and progress. 

Think of the opportunities our grandchildren are enjoying these days. We can understand why the family pockets get turned inside out - hope Mark will get value received I'm sure. Congratulate him for us. 

Yes, Wickie, I have heard you speak of your Aunt Lois many times but I cannot place her so if we did meet at the library I would not know her I'm afraid. I have run across her name in the Archives as having done some of our family sheets. I would like very much to know her. 

In our new location we shall be in the 18th ward. Ed Brossard is the Bishop - He is an old friend of Dad's. 

Uncle Norman Shurtliff passed away yesterday. He had another stroke and finally could not swallow food. It has been some time since he knew Aunt Delia, so I guess they could not hold him any longer. we plan to go to the funeral by car with Nan and Hugh Crutchfield. They are supposed to arrive here tonight from Kansas city. They have been on a business trip in the east and they were able to reach them there from Overton. 

If they do not come home tonight we will have to take a train. 

We had planned to move today but it will have to wait until next week, I guess. We will have to store some things at the Eagle Gate Apts. store room as well as other items in a storage house with left-over furniture etc. Pat is going to need some of these things to set up house-keeping again, after they are retired. The rest of you might be able to use some of them. 

How can I convince Dad that his old beat-up dresser would welcome an overhaul and face-lifting? It really spoils an otherwise respectable bedroom. it is the larger one of the two bedrooms. A filing case will also increase the utilities of the room. The other room (mine) is like a hole in the wall -is so small. I'm afraid we cannot even get the dresser of mine inside. Closets and bedrooms are really forgotten parts of the apartments. many of these apartments have been remodeled but the majority are as they were originally. 

I must get busy with packing now and make use of daylight. Dad is in the temple today and I suppose the rest of the week will be more and more packing. 

We are always glad to have short letters, long letters, warm letters - anything that gives us a glimpse of you all. I hope you will not work too hard, Wickie at your job. Get in some relaxation between and aviod building up tensions. You cannot afford to lose more than you gain. This is talk I gave myself years ago but I'm afraid I did not take my own advise too well. 

We miss you all very much and pray for God's choicest blessings to be yours. Love you all - keep well. 

As always, 

Mom & Dad

From Beatrice:

105 E Temple Salt Lake City , Utah

May 20, 1965

Dearest Wickie and Lu:

This is just an extra this morning to see that you get a copy of Kenneth's write-up from last Saturday night's Deseret News church section. Also to thank you again for your thoughtful gift for Mother's Day. It arrived day before yesterday. It's a lovely "Nightie" and I will enjoy it. 

WE miss Polly although such visits always have to be short. She was here ten days and had time to organize me, my kitchen, the whole apartment and the store room on the sixth floor. I surely appreciated it - she has a natural gift for such things you know. we cannot find so many things - there were others helping us and they would not recognize the things that belonged. 

I do hope you are able to keep up your daily responsibilities as they come. Keep well and happy. We are well - and filling each day with worthwhile activity. Dad has been covering his walls in his bedroom with pictures , mementos - Iranian mostly. He has a bed, and the old couch that came from the office in the guest house. he prefers to sleep on the couch so there is no room to turn around to clean the place That is the way he wants it so that is the way it is. we look forward to the time when you can come home to visit us. Please hug the children for us and write when you can. It is a pleasure to hear about the children's activities. we will have to stop calling them children I guess - they are fast approaching a different level. 

it is an anxious time wondering about Pat - we haven't heard a thing for two weeks so they may be operating and there would be nobody to report. 

It's a rainy day again and my day begins so I must make breakfast since Dad is stirring around. he goies to the temple pretty regularly again. 

Lovingly, 

Mom

From Luther

L.M Winsor or Beatrice 105 E South Temple, #105 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

June 1 - 1965

Dear Luther - Wickie & Family 

I thought for a while that I had a surprise for you. I found a check made to Luther 'D: Winsor, and found that it should have been Luther S. It was discovered when I was destroying the accumulation of papers in about 20 transfer files (I presume that it was put there years ago to get it out of sight) Any way I took half a day, went to the Capitol, found the State Insurance, presented the check, was told that it covered time lost when working for or under a Mr Litchfield" whom I did not know. The injury occurred while falling from a scaffold. I knew nothing about it. I left the office with the understanding that a new check would be issued in the amount of $394.95. Instead I received the enclosed which indicates that you have received payment already. 

WE are mostly moved. and we still have the old house. Quite a burden. Hope we can get rid of it soon. 

Just now we are planning a final Thos. S. Terry Reunion for June 18 at noon in S.E. corner of Fairmont Park, entering on 23rd South, from Highland Drive. it is too much to ask that you be here. But we surely would be happy if you could. I am heading the arrangements, and have sent out notices to each of three families. To one person only, and have asked that person to notify all of his family. Other detailed arrangements are being made by us. 

Lovingly 

Dad - (Grandpa)

From Luther

105 E So Temp Salt lake City

Mr & Mrs L S Winsor and Family

Dearest Ones

Yes, we have moved. We are now in Eagle Gate Apt and are quite comfortable here. But we still have the old home. How much longer we do not know. It is quite a chore now. 

Thanks so much for remembering my Fathers day - and for the check. It will help. Our most sincere Love to all 

Mom & Dad Winsor

From Beatrice:

Sep 20 1965

Dearest Lu and Wickie: 

Your letter of the 15th Wickie was very welcome indeed. If I were only able to type faster I could keep you all informed. this will serve to tide us over and fill a gap. I know you are busy with the beginning of school. If the children can find time to send us a letter all their own it would sort of make a contact we sorely miss. 

Funerals are pretty regular events these days, and reminds us that time is short for us all - in our generation. Several friends have passed on this summer. 

I am wondering if your lawn's condition is due to hurricane damage? We pray often for your safety in that area. The papers have so much to say about it and of course we worry. May the Lord bless you all and keep you from all harm. 

Your car (the new one) sounds wonderful. Enjoy it. Speaking of cars, Bruce seems to be an authority on their names. We went for a ride with Marshall and family, He named every one his father pointed out on the road. He has been with his father so much in recent months. 

I am dressing my finger myself at home except for two office calls a week. At present, the graft seems to be taking well except a small strip in the center. The nail is dead but may come back dark and ugly as others have done. The protection of a nail is very desirable, of course.

The only help I have in the house is from an 11 Yr. old Tongan girl. She can do most anything if I show her how. She comes every Saturday morning. Her aunt and uncle have raised a number of the family and gradually taken the Catholicism out of them. Their own son and daughter have recently returned from full term missions in their homeland. 

I will wait to use the bonds you mention and let them mature. I am waiting now for the decision of two insurance companies to refuse me. I took a chance anyway. Blue Cross paid 20% of the hospital bill. We'll make it all right. 

I would appreciate it if you would sit down and itemize the relics or items etc, you would like to have when we are gone. If you would like the piano as one time just keep the bonds for yourself. We have a huge Family Bible that was my mother's. It is truly a relic. the needlepoint on the piano bench is something of mine. You all have Pictures but they are not relics. maybe some time they will be. 

Dad's collection, of course is something else again. He is so confused about time its. and one day at a time is about as far as he can go. 

Did you ever see the enclosure: I cannot remember if I sent this around before. Please read and send on to Pat. Ask her to forward to me. 

If I have not made clear this request ask me when you write again. 

I have trouble keeping my mental processes in order. have had a lot of pain ind headache etc. so I am just beginning to make plans for each day that I can keep. We miss you all very much and hope you can come home next summer or sooner. 

God bless you and keep you safe until we meet again. 

Love, Mom & Dad

From Beatrice: 

Nov 9, 1965

Dearest Luther, Happy Birthday!

As your forty fifth birthday approaches I find myself thinking back to that when you first came into this world. We were all so thrilled at your coming - our first born son. I am sure our heavenly Father loved you very much because you had been valiant in your first estate. 

Now the most difficult venture of all was beginning. To find our way back to our real home "on our own"with all the help a loving Father dare give us in a mortal existence. 

We are so proud of your love and devotion to your loved ones and your Church. Your long hard hours of time involved these days of pressures everywhere are a challenge to all of us. Any person needs responsibility, enough to develop character but the distribution of it in a ward or branch is something else again. 

We have attended so many funeral services the last few weeks it is hard to realize these are our contemporaries. Thel and Grace Bowman with their daughter Grace, have been touring Europe again and met with a car (rented) accident in which the mother, Grace, was killed outright - and left Thel with six broken ribs. A collision was averted but they rolled down a steep embankment. It was a sad homecoming. 

You remember my speaking of a friend, a very close friend, Norma Knight. Her husband passed away last week-end. Sister Amacher died a few months ago but we learned about i t only recently. She had willed our old place to Leah whose husband has remodeled it till you would never know the place. 

Luther I am sending you a set of sheets all the children are getting. Some of them picked theirs up this summer. among them are the Winsor Blood line Lela Nelson and Maurine Farssworth prepared. This  is one in which some of the genealogy of the wives have been neglected. I know of nobody in the family who is working on these lines. there are a few other sheets of families that will be called for next year in connection with the seven sheets that should have been turned in last August (deadline).I do not dare to work on the Winsor lines when the family is organized but inactive genealogically speaking. 

The Terrys are now organized with Clyde Terry as president. he is a bishop in Idaho - enthusiastic and capable. He has certain ideas however about procedure which will delay research. Ada Wood has thrown up her hands and will do no more; feels because she cannot find the information needed on the Terry line nobody else can. The block in this line is our John Terry (ggfather in the pedigree) where others have inserted the wrong John. At our last family meeting (Oct. Gen. conference a committee was selected to research this line -very capable younger researchers. One was a B.Y.U. student. 

We will have another meeting at April conference time and meet here at our place. The English research is very difficult to find enough information to process a family sheet, requires at least two references and two complete dates. 

With the Snow GG fathers this week i have sent in three of them after having spent hundreds of hours. If they pass the test I will be rewarded. many lines that need extending may have to wait until the Millennium to get our information. 

I feel strongly that we must have in reserve some financial source to hire part of the research. I'd like to hold some of these bonds for that purpose. I see that there are twelve bonds which when mature would amount to $300. This is all we ask for the piano. it is now yours. 

Please forgive my typographical mistakes etc, my finger plays tricks on me. I cannot use it yet directly. It is still sensitive and tender. I am so grateful for the success of the graft and the prayers of my loved one in my behalf. I feel much stronger and can do my own work in a pinch as well as genealogical stress. We are keeping busy - Dad left yesterday at 7 A.M. and home at 9:30 P.M. at the temple. After such a day he is home today looking after routine things. He has been doing some Home Teaching climbing many stairs in the 1st Ave. Apartments. he follows his own inclinations regardless. After all, who has a better right? He is failing and drags his feet most of the time. Please remember us in your prayers. We think of you always and cherish you. To Marilu, Mark, Brian and Wayne special hugs and a kiss around ten times over. 

Affectionately, Mom 

Lu honey; I'm sending you a book it may be late It might be a good proselyter

(The following handwritten letters by Luther begin to have handwriting that is a distinct change from earlier years. His former writing was very lovely and precise and difficult to tell from Grandma Beatrices' handwriting in quality and style. Now the letters are larger and not as well formed ,the lines more uneven. There is more of a shakiness to the writing )

From Luther

Nov 9 1965

Luther our Son. 

In two more days you will have another birthday - If our reckoning is correct you will be 45 - Mom has written you already, a very fine letter. to which I want to add a note. I want to say that I concur in what she has said. I want you to know that I endorse everything. She has expressed our sentiments. 

We are concerned about you and Wickie, now that you have "teenagers" You will have many anxious moments. Let us hope and pray that you will have the patience and the wisdom you need just now and in the years to follow-

To Mary Lou. to Mark and to the others: please remember that Mom and Dad loves you. They know best what will be for your good. Please be patient with them for they are older, and know more. I am now speaking in general terms. We are a long way off. 

I want to repeat what I have said before. to you, Luther: when I was a young man, under 20, there were three things I wanted most. 1 - I wanted more education. this is got in 7 years at the State College. I had not finished 6th grade when I entered. In 3 years I finished the grades and high school (they taught preparatory work then) Then I had 4 years at college and graduated with a degree as irrigation Engineer in 1911, the 1st in Utah, in the U.S. and in the world I think. the president of our class is now Bishop here in our ward. He spent 25 years in Washington D.C. as member, then chairman of the Tariff Commission., he served on a mission to France then twice as Mission President then as a "Sealer." here in Salt Lake Temple.

2 - I wanted a Family, this I had. 

3 - I wanted a mission. This I did not have. 

I love you son, Dad

From Luther and then Beatrice-His handwritten, hers typed

Dec 30, 1965

Dearest Wickie, Luther and family

Your box came and was opened Christmas eve while Ken was still here, he left Christmas morning early. Only reservation he could get. 

Thanks very much for the desk light

I have just written to Pauline & Jim. they have just gone through a terrible wind and storm at Fort Brag. They had gone there for along needed rest and change. They had the change but not much rest. Good thing they were there. we have to heard form them yet. 

I'll leave space for Mom who writes only with difficulty and pain. Love you all - Dad

Dear Ones: This is easier than long hand and it will be short. I cannot seem to bear any weight on the right hand at all without the whole hand stiffening. Healing is interminably slow. Christmas has been difficult - even the form of it. We had decided not to send our cards but all those that came in bore messages or letters and we just could not ignore. However I think we sifted our a lot of "good weather" friends. 

Thanks, dears, for the lovely pin - it calls for a dress in the spring to go with it. Dad's desk light is a beauty. we both love you for your thotfulness. I hope you all enjoyed the surprise and joys of "giving" that is Christmas. 

The biographies I sent for Marilu are only a few but I thought she could exchange them after she finishes with these and change for Colleen's and Susan's. I'm sure Kathy would like to read them too, maybe not now but next year. She did not have any this Xmas because I could not divide them and mail them properly. 

I hope the genealogical sheets made it all right. These will be called for next month all over the church. I've only just begun. The rest will come later. None of you can get at these in archive files - you would have to go into special film and it is an arduous task. 

Dad mentions Polly and Jim. I doubt if you know that Polly had another operation on her hand just before Xmas - she was having so much pain since the first one. A specialist handled this one and I am going to send you her letter written after the Dec 16 surgery. Could you send it on to Pat please or have Marilu do it for you? I would so appreciate it. 

These two weeks at home have dragged along for Dad - he will feel better when he gets back to activity again. 

I would be less than fair if I did not tell you that Dad is having a hard time moving about. Can hardly get up or down he is so stiff - hardening of arteries I guess. Last week at night he fell and could not seem to move. I could not reach him with my voice and it took me nearly two hours to get him to respond and finally get him into his bed. I would call it a slight stroke. His balance is poor. He fell on the sidewalk and could not get up without help. He refused it when it came. 

Please do not reply to this Lu because it might embarrass your father - he thinks he is a special brand and nothing can touch him. I often wish I could call on you for decisions but I am pretty much alone in emergency. I will let you know in case of trouble. 

Our love to all your dear grandchildren - hope they are happy and well. Wickie, your parents paid us a call last Sunday which we enjoyed very much. they are talking of retirement and Mexico right now. they looked wee but tired. 

Happy New Year - with love tender and true-Mom

Dec 30th 1965

Dearest Wickie, Luther and family.