1980

Monday, 15 December

Merry Christmas!

As I write this, I try to picture those of you who haven't heard from us since last year, and to think of what you might want to hear.

Vince finished his specialty degree in May - he is now a Fixed (Crowns and Bridges) Prosthodontist. However, he is still teaching in the Family Practice Dept.; he does enjoy his work and is glad all the book work is done.

Dawn is in her third year of teaching third graders at Osage, Ia. She sent out her own cards this year, but for those of you who didn't hear from her - she made her first large purchase, a 1980 Ford Fairmont. She is working on her Master's, in Education, going to summer school and night classes. She has about half of her hours. She has been looking for a Kindergarten teaching job - she wants to teach them before she goes on to teaching at college level, or whatever.

Mark graduated from Luther in May. He is also in grad. school working on his Master's in vocal performance here at Iowa, and living with us. That's a change - for him as well as for us. We are enjoying it.

Arik is a junior in high school - enjoys band; sings in sr. choir at church with his dad; has a part-time job.

Jené is a freshman (freshwoman?) - a cheerleader; sings in Swing Choir, and in church choir; does a little baby sitting; and thinks, talks, dreams boys.

I have been taking a couple of courses at the U. this semester. The German final is tonight, and the British History final is Wed. a.m. I found out a few things - (about German and Br. Hist. to be sure) I can do it, if the need arises; I don't want to spend my time taking courses; I'm getting back to working on family history.

We vacationed with my sisters and their families in June in the Missouri Ozarks - we had a good time! Vince went fishing in Canada in July - Jené and I, Mom and Dad did some visiting, in N. Minn. and Wisc., of cousins, some of whom we had never met. That's one of the fun things about doing family history - renewing or making new acquaintances. Some I've only written to, and have not yet met - but someday...

The Nordic Fest was again on our itinerary - I hear next year there will be a Johnson cousin reunion during the Fest. We visited friends and relatives in Decorah in October and my sister in Mpls. in November. Now we are looking forward to having my folks, my sisters and families (some year we will get my brother and family in on that) with us for the Holidays.

Vince's mom has been in a Nursing Home here in Iowa City since March when she broke her leg again. She is lonesome for Decorah, and wants to get back. With needing regular dr. checks on her leg, it has been handier to have her here.

God's blessings to you!

Love,

Vince and Verla, Mark, Arik and Jené

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25 January [1981]

To facilitate answering all who wrote to Lillie during the holiday season, I resort to copies. Lillie was in the hospital over Christmas, released the Monday following, and readmitted a week later. The Dr. gave her about a week to live. But she's a plucky Norwegian and fooled him. Yesterday we took her back to Beverly Manor. She does have congestive heart failure, so her long term prognosis is not good; but the Dr. has her medicine regulated as good as he can, and she feels alot better.

She appreciated hearing from you. She was able to read the letters written with a felt tip marker, and the others we read to her. Please know that she wishes she could answer each of you!

Thank you for remembering her.

As ever,

Vince and Verla