Person:Iris Prawl (1)

Iris' oldest daughter Jean Johnson May or June 7, 1976, neice of Flora Rasmussen wrote letter.

Dear Luther & Ruth, Hi! Iam Lewis and Jean Handke's oldest daughter. How is everything out there? Dad asked me to write you and send you the enclosed pamphlet. I didn't know if you knew about it or not so dad wanted to make sure you did. He is getting along pretty good. It gets lonely at nite but us kids try to keep him busy during the day & take him places with us. He has been to our house several times to eat already. We are going to Colorado Wednesday for a few days. We asked dad to come along but he is undecided. Feels he should be home in the field. Doing what I don't know as he has all his planting done. Just waiting for crops to come up. Haven't had much rain. What we did have was spotty. It rained over an inch Saturday in town but Dad said it just rained enough to get his shirt wet in the field. I think he'll make do after awhile but right now he gets down in the dumps & feeling sorry for himself usually in the evening. He still hasn't gotten much sleep as when mom was alive about the last month he had to wake up every two hours giving her pain shots at nite. She died a very horrible death. She was nothing but skin & bones. Mortition said he "never" had a body like hers that was so drawn and dehydrated. She couldn't eat any more. She threw up what she did eat & drink & finally food wouldn't go through her at all the cancer closed her intestines. We kept her at home until the last two days before she died. She was out of her head & didn't know us or where she was. It got so it took two & sometimes three to take care of her at the last. We are all thankful she is gone and at peace & don't have to suffer anymore. She was really going through hell. My family is fine and Bonnie's little girl is really growing. Dad really likes having the grandkids around to entertain him. I had better go now & put my boys to bed as they are tired. Dad just wanted to make sure you received the pamphlet.

Sincerely, Patty (Handke) Woodruff

P.S. Write sometime or stop in if you get back here.