Mary (Bontrager) Plank (1889 - 1983)

I will type it exactly as written.

Jan. 14. 1964 Greeting in Jesus Holy Name where all our Comforts come from. Will try ans. Your most welcome letter received last week were truly glad to hear from your for once. We are all gay But not fast, our Health is as usual. And hope this may find yours in good Health and gutes mood. Our weather cold was 1 below this morn. But not much wind till towards noon then it got windy again. We had a real old fashion snow Blizzard over Sunday it start snowing and Blowing Saturday Eve. And kept it up till Monday towards noon when it quit snowing & not so windy a lot roads were drifted shut snow plows couldn’t even keep the high way open. They were Busy all Sunday night winds was so strong & snowing fast that they Blow shut right away again. Jake said a lot car’s were stranded on road 45 going north & south threw. Arcola & the people were wadding snow a train on Illinois Centrail came & stopped & loaded all the people took them to the nearest town. Also a lot young folks with horse & buggy got in snow banks before they new and had to have help to get out so they also went to the nearest home and stayed till Monday Morn. Jake’s had 5 over night & Breakfast 3 boys & 2 girls. Heard Levi Kauffmann had 11. Mrs. Noah Yoder Fanny died Friday Morn. So these young folks were on the way to the wack and got stuck then they just staid where they could get in. Norman didn’t come home till 10-30 Monday. This afternoon we had company Chriss Hershbergers & Monroe Miller’s from Ind. They came for the funeral & were there. Went to John Hershbergers for the night will go home in the morn. Jakes Martha & Daw. Come wither cousin Elva Yoder for the funeral. They left for home this afternoon so we have a lot snow But still fields are mostly bare. Well so far I wrote nothing but snow. Will try and write some other news, that is if I can think of any. You said for us to stay in the house. We sure do. Dad don’t work in winter time the last 2 winters he stayed in house reading. I am afraid he reads to much as his eye sight is failing some times he can’t see good enuf to the people. And he does not drive alone on the road any more. Did your sign up for farwell children? Or why did the state woman brought yours a baby to take care of. I bet she was sweet, why didn’t you keept it? Ha! Elmer Schrocks signed up for so children now they have a little girl shund vile & also had a Baby for 7 or 8 weeks then came after the Baby. Girl still there. Barbara said this girl is not quite Bright But start school now. Sunday our gma will be at Milt Yoders if good Lord wills it so. Jake is again teaching German school this the second week. Joe Graber teaching up Northwest. So you also have stiff knee’s with arthritis in them I know how that is. My right knee is very painful at times. But Bless the Lord that I can still be on my feet & do my own work. If it goes slow. I have pains most times. Jakes Lonnie’s are here at Jakes this Eve. They are conservites. Why don’t yours comes and visit us some time this winter yet. I am ols thinking. Maybe Jakes Ivan might get Married before long. Now if he does I sure hope yours will come for his Wedding. I am quite sure Sam’s & Harve’s will come that is if they are able. Don’t know about Bill’s as they were here at Lucys Wedding in Sept. Wednesday Morn. 7-30. It’s 10 above. Wind still & sun shining. But Boo so cold. Wonder if you are enjoying nice calm weather while we here have so cold. But you know we just stay home and in the house by the warm stove. So Thankful to God that we have such a good warm place to be. I am ole sewing these days. Will make window curtains today as the old ones are going in stripes when washing. Gma will be here at Jake’s Feb. 16 so be sure & come & stay a while. Pray for us. We same to do for you in our weakness. Bye Bye. Dad & Mom answer!