Letters from Evelyn Johnson

April 6, 1970 - Letter to Delmar while at military training in Fort Rucker Alabama

Dear Delmar,

We was so happy to hear from you and know you’re busy for it will make the time go faster. The time really does go fast. In 2 months school will be out and I can hardly believe it. Gary will be out of High School (I hope).

Brent flew to California and spent his spring vacation with Marge and Les. He really enjoyed himself and got to know Marge so much better. Les has to take his vacation the last 2 weeks of July so it looks like maybe the family will get together after all. If Yula and Val can make it then. Everyone better have their cameras ready. It will certainly be a thrill to have everyone home. Wouldn’t it be fun to have them all in church together? What a joy it would be.

Brent took Kent and Charles to the Priesthood session Saturday night. I hope it made a real impression on them. Conference was certainly good. They are not sustaining our church President and all the authorities. It is an inspiring sight and to be a member of this church is really a privilege. I pray that all our family in time will be members and active in the church. Oh Delmar we have so much work to do in our own family. How can we do this - the only thing is to depend on the Lord and do our part. It thrills me to hear the general authorities talk and to learn more about those things we should know. The theme this conference has been about the Prophet Joseph Smith. What an inspiration he is to each of us and to know the work he accomplished in his short life that he would have to be a prophet of the Lord to have did all he did.

Well, Delmar our prayers are with you and keep up the work you are doing for Uncle Sam and for the Lord. We are so proud of you and thank the Lord that he let you come and be our son. May the Lord continue to watch over you and protect you.

With all our love,

Mom, Dad and family

June 8, 1970 - Letter to Delmar while at military training in Fort Rucker Alabama

Dear Delmar,

It was good to talk with you if only for a minute. I hope you have your banker all settled. I’m sorry I haven’t written before but you know me. The week after Grandpas funeral on May 13th, Yula and Val got a beautiful baby girl. She is 9 pounds 9 ounces. I flew down Sunday morning and was there when Yula got out of the hospital. The baby, Tonya, has long black hair and beautiful olive skin. The kids were so thrilled with her and Melanie just kisses and kisses her. Kevin wouldn’t leave her side until about Wednesday and you see he wasn’t getting as much attention from his mother so he told Yula “I wish the baby was all grown up”. Yula was getting along fine when I left and the ward was going to take the children the week after I left. They were going to take turns. It would help her a lot because they all wanted attention all at once and this would help Yula to get back on her feet. I haven’t heard from her since I came home but Brent left last Thursday to visit with them and he would also be there when they blessed the baby yesterday (Tonya). I’m glad some of the family was there. I made the baby a dress to be blessed in and I hope she got it alright.

Sharee and Garth got home on Mother’s Day and they found them an apartment in Bountiful. Garth started to work the following Monday the 18th. And he likes his job real well. They were up Saturday and it seems so good to have them. Oh they came Friday night to Katheryn Mather’s wedding reception. Garth says Sunday is a day for church meetings so they will visit on other days which is like it should be.

Gary did make it to graduate. Honestly I hardly thought he would because he had one test to take that he lazily neglected to take and he finally made connections with the teacher at 1:00 Friday and that was the night of graduation. I give Uncle Leon a lot of credit for helping him get his diploma. I hope he will appreciate it like he should.

On Decoration Day I went with Aunt Ruth and Grandma and Aunt Jennie (Debra and Lyle Archibald) to Morgan to decorate the graves. We had a real nice day. Daddy said he couldn’t spare the time - but was glad we went. The grave looks real good and the grass is green.

Grandma is doing so good. She stays alone and the family takes her whenever they go anyplace. Aunt Lillie passed away - that is Uncle Al’s wife - Grandpa’s only living brothers wife and she was buried today at Ogden. They lived in Fresno California and had her services down there and had a viewing last night and burial today and grave dedicated today at Ogden.

Gary is so restless and he has been unable to find a job so far. He is still in love with Anabelle and I hope things go well for them. She is visiting with a cousin in Blackfoot and is calling to talk to Gary every day. She says her Aunt Mary is paying the phone bill, but how long will that last I don’t know. Anyway they do seem to like each other a lot so time will tell and I hope Gary makes it to school this fall.

Delmar I have thought so much about you since we talked on the phone. Is there anything we can do to help? Would you like us to fast and pray for you? We want to do everything we can to help. I ask the kids if they remember you in their prayers and they seemed rather insulted to think that I’d ask because they said of course - all the time. If you want us to, let’s set a day that would benefit you the most. Our love and faith are with you always and I know our Heavenly Father’s love and protecting care are with you. I know he will watch over you all the time. Are you living on base or off? The time I tried to phone they said they had no way of getting hold of you because you were off base. I have wondered about this. Write and let us know what is bothering you and if we can help you in any way. We love you so much and want the very best for you. May the Lord continue to bless you in every way you need. We are so proud of you.

Well Delmar write to us - we so enjoyed your last letter. I will try and do better I promise.

Jolene is fine - her spirits are so much better with this family than living with the girls. She’s homesick - but it won’t be much longer and then she can come home and get better. Sharee and Garth have been so good to her. They have had her to dinner and just last Saturday on the way home to Bountiful took her to a show. It was at the drive-in but with them it’s better that way - eliminates babysitting money. Sharee and Garth said in talking with Marge and Les about Jo that Les said it will be the love of the family that will help her the most of all and I believe that.

Debra is taking 4-H and swimming. Kent is playing ball and our official weed puller and he’s good at both. He is fishing now. Well everything else is fine here. Work will the same. I had better close for now. The crew is hungry.

We send our love and may God watch over you, protect you and bless you at all times.

With all our love, Mom Dad and family.

December 1993 - Letter to Chris on his mission