Lt.jg William Marsh USNR 1921-1945

I know that I have written about William Marsh before, but I wanted to share with you this last letter that William Marsh wrote to his mother on Christmas Day 1944 and the telegram that was received by Genevieve Marsh in 1945.

December 25, 1944

Christmas Morning

Dear Mom,

Feeling a little homesick this morning and thought it might help if I write a letter or two home. It’s only 0930 a.m. but I have been listening to Christmas carols most of the morning. The ship picks up some radio stations on short wave and most all of them have a Christmas program of some sort.

Received mail yesterday evening: the first in over a month. I was certainly surprised to learn of Mr. Mahoney’s death. From the date on your letter it must have happened about the 20^th of November 1944.

Margy Mahoney must be pretty broken up as I haven’t received any letters from her, but I did receive a Christmas box that was mailed real early. I haven’t written her yet, as I have been hoping for a letter from her. I must write today or tomorrow even if I don’t get one. I wish I knew what to tell her, even thought it has been over a month since he passed away. I do not like to pass on too much advice as I’m too far away from her, and everything else. I wish I could help some way though. I have often thought of asking her to marry me on my next leave. I can’t bring myself to do it though, as things are really going to be unsettled after the war. I don’t think I’m going to be able to settle down in one place after this is all over. I have been jumping about too much and have become awfully restless.

I would think it a good thing if Margy went out West with Fran for a while though. She would be able to get away from Virginia for a while and it would help her forget. She would also meet a new bunch of friends and see how the West Coast gets along.

Didn’t expect Margy to send me a Christmas package, but I received it yesterday and everyone of the boys helped open the package. She had everything in it, all wrapped in separate little Christmas paper. She sent: Cuticura, Soap, a Dictionary, several kinds of smoking tobacco, Noxzema Cream, Shaving Cream, cigarette lighter, razor blades, tobacco pouch, a good pipe and cleaners and last but not least 3 pair of black socks. She surely boosted my moral coming on Christmas Eve with all those things. Just like Santa Claus.

I received two letters from you yesterday Mom and they helped a lot on the news, but you didn’t say anything about receiving the money order for you and Marge. I hope you got it in time. Let me know what you bought her.

Not being able to send off any mail for the past month I couldn’t wish you a Happy Birthday, but I did remember it once. I hope you had a good time in San Francisco, as I am sure Mary Jean helped you celebrate. Hope I can be with you on the next forty-five.

I will send this letter to Minnesota, as you will probably be home in the first week in January.

Hope you have a very Happy New Year,

Love as always, Bill

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Genevieve Marsh received the first telegram stating that her son was missing in action on February 6, 1945. She received the final telegram on August 13, 1945. Here is what it said:

I DEEPLY REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT A CAREFUL REVIEW OF ALL FACTS AVAILABLE RELATING TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF YOUR SON LIEUTENANT (JG) WILLIAM MARSH USNR PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS NO HOPE FOR HIS SURVIVAL AND THAT HE LOST HIS LIFE AS RESULT OF ENEMY ACTION ON 4 JANUARY 1945 WHILE IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY. IF FURTHER DETAILS ARE RECEIVED THEY WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU PROMPTLY. TO PREVENT POSSIBLE AID TO OUR ENEMIES PLEASE DO NOT DIVULGE THAT NAME OF HIS SHIP OR STATION UNLESS THE GENERAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE MADE PUBLIC IN NEW STORIES. SINCEREST SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO YOU IN YOUR GREAT LOSS=

VICE ADMIRAL RANDALL JACOBS, CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL

My Sources are from my database, birth, and death certificates and Military Service Records along with information from cousins in Oregon and Florida.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Dorothy Mae Lange Marsh 1923

Dorothy Mae Lange was born April 16, 1923 in Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota. Dorothy was the youngest child of Earl Lange and Ruth Finnerud, who were immigrants from Norway. She was a graduate of Greenway High School in Coleraine and worked for Dr. O. C. Braun in the early years. She married John Preston Marsh June 22, 1946 in Nashwauk, Itasca, Minnesota. They lived in Splithand Township, Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, from 1947 to 1961. In 1961 the Marsh family moved to Fort Pierce, St. Lucie, Florida. Dorothy was looking for something to do and purchased a small pet shop. Happyland Pet Shop sold household pets, as well as exotic animals from South America, such as monkeys, baby skunks, lizards, turtles and snakes. The pet shop prospered and had to move to a large location. John Marsh left Vaughn & Wright Auto Parts in 1966 to join his wife in the pet shop business. The pet shop soon became a complete family business, with all of the children working at the store after school and loving it. Dorothy clipped and groomed dogs in the back of the shop. She and her family also enjoyed raising Miniature Schnauzers and Irish Terriers. John and Dorothy Marsh retired from the pet shop business in 1983 and, much to the disappointment of their children, moved to Mena, Polk, Arkansas, in 1983. In her retirement Dorothy made a number of lovely quilts for her family, all hand pieced and hand quilted. She was known for her expert bread and bun making, including her famous Norwegian Christmas Bread. Dorothy still has a love for animals, especially dogs. Dorothy currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky near her daughter Patricia.

Dorothy Lange was married to John Preston Marsh. He was born August 24, 1917 in International Falls, Minnesota, the oldest son of Vere Preston Marsh and Genevive Anne DeNoble. John loved to hunt and fish in Minnesota until he had a hunting accident with his right hand in 1933. John Preston Marsh passed away on April 1, 2000 in Mena, Polk, Arkansas.

My Sources are from my database birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Erling (Bud) Albert Lange 1921-1995

Erling Albert Lange (called Bud) was born May 26, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. He was a lifelong resident of the Grand Rapids area. He attended school in the Greenway School District and graduated as valedictorian of the Greenway High School Class of 1939. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving in Europe with the 66th Armored Infantry (under General Patton) and was awarded the Purple Heart. He worked for several years at Itasca Tire in Grand Rapids and was co-owner and operator of Itasca TV and Appliance for many years. He also worked for Dairyland Electric in Grand Rapids, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Rapids. He died Wednesday, May 10, 1995, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

Bud Lange was married the first time to Dolores Margaret Kretsch, she was born December 26, 1925 in New Ulm, Minnesota. They were married about 1944 in Grand Rapids, Itasca Minnesota, and they were divorced in 1950.

Many of the grandkids have fond memories of Bud and his famous House Boat the Suzie-Q. He would take us fishing, on great picnics, camping and swimming during the summer months. It was on one of these trips in June 1965 when there was a terrible boating accident and five people drowned on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. The accident took the lives of George Lange, his wife Wanda and son Robert. Also Calvin Lange and his girlfriend Joyce Ottison drowned in this horrible accident.

Bud Lange was married the second time to Evie (called Evelyn) Schack, she was born February 6, 1948 in Grand Rapids, Itasca Minnesota. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1966 and moved to Minneapolis immediately thereafter, but returned to the small town she loved after only a couple of years. She met Bud when she was a waitress at Soder's Diner, and they married in January 1971. After several years as a waitress, Evie transitioned into office work, starting as a secretary. She and Bud divorced in 1980, and she moved to Washington, in 1984. She became an accountant, which she pursues today.

She married Ted in 1988, and they currently live in the state of Washington, where they enjoy all the benefits of living at the coast in a small, quiet community, not unlike Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota.

My Sources are from my database, birth, marriage, and death certificates and information from several cousins.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Paul Franklin Lange 1920-1988

Paul Franklin Lange was born on January 12, 1920 in the family home south of Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. He had a paper route to supplement the family income during the depression. As a teenager he was hired out to drive foreign visitors around the area. In the 1930’s he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC’s). He served in the U.S. Army primarily in France during World War II from November 22, 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 28, 1946. In 1947, Paul moved with his wife and three sons to Port Huron, Michigan, for about a year and then moved to Wisconsin living in Madison, Waunakee, and Ripon over the next 10 years. They moved to Ogilvie, Minnesota, in 1959 where they lived the remainder of their lives. Paul and Luella purchased a farm about three miles north of Ogilvie and leased out the land. Paul worked as a mechanic in Milaca and Mora, Minnesota for about 20 years and worked at Arcon Construction in Mora prior to retirement in about 1979. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and also of the American Legion in Ogilvie. He was a kind and patient person, always willing to help others. Paul died on 8 April 1988 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Paul Lange was married on August 17, 1941 to Luella Ineze Austin in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. Luella was born to Clarence and Martha Austin on August 21, 1923 in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. Her younger years were spent in Warba, where she attended school. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Women’s Club and the Pleasant 6 Hour Club. She enjoyed life and her family and was always willing to give of herself to help others. Luella died on August 28. 1988 in Bemidji, Itasca, Minnesota, while visiting her daughter. (How many Lange's can you ID in this photo?)

My Sources are from my database, birth, marriage, and death certificates and information from one son.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Ruth Emily Lange Adamson 1918-1986

Ruth Emily Lange was born March 27, 1918 at her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lange family moved to Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota, where Ruth attended school and graduated from Greenway High School in 1935. She attended one year at Itasca Junior College. Ruth was always active in many church activities at the Community Presbyterian Church and was the first female elder of the church. Ruth was well known for her Norwegian Cookies, marzipan, and lefse. She knitted beautiful sweaters, many in a Norwegian pattern, did cross-stitching, crocheting, and made many of her own clothes as well. Ruth died on February 8, 1986 in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota.

Ruth Lange was married to Harry Thomas Adamson in the Calumet Presbyterian Church on September 5, 1937. Harry Adamson was born on December 12, 1915 in Menagah, Wadena, Minnesota, to William and Clara Adamson. Harry and Ruth first lived in a small upstairs apartment on the farm of William and Clara Adamson in Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota. (Calumet was formerly called Cooley back in the early 1900’s.) After that they lived in Nashwauk and on April 1, 1951 moved to Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. Harry was also very active in church activities and was Churchman of the Year in the 1970's. After his retirement, he spent some time practically every day doing handyman work at the church. Sometimes to Ruth's dismay, there were things to be done at home, too! Harry worked for Butler Brothers, Itasca Tire Company, and Blanden Wood Products all located in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. They were both active in the Sons of Norway and Boy Scouts. Harry died on July 9, 1991 in Holland while visiting his son and family.

My Sources are from my database, birth, marriage, and death certificates and family history from two sons.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh