Holiday thoughts of Gurolle Blestren Ager

The following are excerpts taken from letters written by Mrs. Ager to her son, Magne “Booky” Ager, between the time her husband, Waldemar T. Ager, died in 1941, and her own death in 1951. Her words are a gift to all of us this year as we gain a better understanding and appreciation of Gurolle Ager and her warmth, concern for others, and love of family as she talks about life and the holidays.

December 8, 1941

My Dear Magne,
How are you making it in that far away important city of Washington, D.C.? Today I have spent most of the time right there with you. To explain, I have had the radio on all day. Been listening to all the reports and to President Roosevelt’s speech. My heart goes out to him in spite of everything. His voice sounded so sad and tired over the radio this morning… We are all invited to Gudrun and Milo’s home for Christmas Eve. It will be the first Christmas Eve I have spent away from my home since I was married – except the first one when we spent Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa Blestren.

December 8, 1942
We got a lot of snow Thanksgiving, and it has been very cold. We were at Gudrun’s for Thanksgiving dinner. We had a swell big turkey with all the trimmings… I hope and pray that this awful war will be over by next Thanksgiving so we can all be together again… I am so thankful that Papa [Waldemar Ager] is saved from this awful sorrow and parting. It would have been so hard to see him grieve and worry. He would have taken things so hard. Poor Papa. I do miss him a lot. I still feel as though he should be coming down the sidewalk, pipe in mouth. I just think of him as being out on one of his lecture trips. That helps, I guess.

November 25, 1945
We were so glad to get your letter and to see that you have hopes of being discharged in December. I won’t believe it until I see you at home and out of your navy uniform. We have real winter now – ice on the lake, snow on the ground, and fire in all the stoves. It is beginning to look like Christmas… Sunday, the 18th of November, was the dedication of the memorial for Papa. It is a beautiful memorial, and the ceremony was very impressive. The cold weather kept many from taking part. Milo and Gudrun invited those that took part and many others to their home for lunch afterward.

December 7, 1947
We will have julekake and sandbakkels and a nice Christmas tree and lots and lots of coffee…

December 2, 1949
Thanksgiving came, and Roald came home on the “400.” Roald and I were invited to Eyvind’s for Thanksgiving dinner – a lovely dinner with turkey, pumpkin pie, and all the trimmings. I’m glad you spent a nice Thanksgiving too… Lots of love to you and kindest greetings to all the people who are good to you… from Ring [the family dog] and

Mother

Mrs. Ager

Magne Ager

Magne and Gurolle along Whipple St.