1955 8 14 Irene Schnack to Olive Schnack

This letter was written from my mom and dad's new apartment in Kitzengen, Germany.  My mom wrote about 'Mother' but I'm not sure to whom she is referring.  She usually refers to her own mother as Mom.  The Shipwreck Casserole she was making to share with her friends was a family staple for many years.  I'll have to make one for old time's sake!

The names in this letter and their relationship to my mother are:

• 'Ma' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, her mother-in-law
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, her husband
• 'Cindy Lou' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, her daughter
• 'Mom' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, her mother
• 'Chuck' is Charles Elbert Rose, her husband's cousin
• 'Betty' is Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose, Chuck's wife
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack Speer, herself

Kitzingen, Germany
August 14, 1955

Dear Ma and all,

Jake just called.  He said he wished he could see Cindy Lou and me, too.  I had Cindy Lou on my lap and just as he said it, she answered with AAAh!  It pleased him.  I just can't wait for him to get home and I know he can't either.  It won't be long now.  He should be home Saturday about noon.

I'm getting supper tonight.  Us lonely women are taking turns about it.  I'm making a Shipwreck casserole.  It smells real good.

Cindy Lou's pictures came back so I fixed them to send you.  I started a letter to you a week ago.  Today, I threw it out and hope I have better luck this time.  I wrote to mom last night and sent her some pictures.  We haven't taken any since Chuck and Betty were here.  I have to get some bulbs but keep forgetting them.

I'm going to make an album for Cindy Lou.  When I get back to the states, I'll get an album with her name on it and put the pictures in.  Mother sent her a darling dress, bonnet, and shoes for her  baptism.  Boy, she's getting big.  The pictures don't look anything like she is now.

No, I don't think the time will ever come

when I'll leave Cindy Lou for a week.  We'll be too far away anyway for that.  When I leave her for a day, I'm lost and lonely 15 minutes after I leave.  I usually take her everywhere with me.  The only time I leave her is when the weather is bad.  She is too sweet to be away from me.  I admit she makes me disgusted at times.  When I'm feeding her, she spits the food out then looks at me and smiles.  It hits right in the core of my heart.  How can I get mad at her?  She is more a part of me than Jake.  He is company every once in awhile but she is always here.  She is getting quite active now, too, as well as smiley and talkative.  When I'm burping her, she is jumping around and hitting me.  She just loves to use her feet.  Instead of me giving her a bath, she gives me and the floor one.  Her daddy is missing so much.  He knows it, too.

I must close for now.  I guess I've said enough about my (our) little prize.

Joe Menogan sent her a swimsuit.  It's too big for her now but she'll wear it next summer.  It will be hot in Kansas.  She doesn't need one much here.

Love,
Irene, Jake, and Cindy Lou