Elma's Children begins in 1946 with Lester going back to school to further his education after being discharged from the Army and coming home from World War II Europe. Lester's sister Elsie has also left home but rather than choosing to continue her schooling, she decides to move north into Iowa and seek employment. As America shifts gears from a war related to a home related focus you will be able to learn the farming economy as well as the job markets of the late 1940's and early 1950's.

Deeply anchored in their family, church, and community, Elma and William lived their lives and raised their children on the Shelby County Missouri farm once occupied by her grandparents. Documented inside this cover are farming styles, local politics, family issues, community and religious gatherings, transportation modes and simple economics. As the younger children grow and mature you learn of their teenage pranks and accomplishments. Not only are these issues documented but also life, death, marriage, divorce and the beginnings of the next generation.

No matter how tired she was or how many letters she had to answer, Elma manages to find time again and again to relate what is happening to her world. Rather than retell the events from one child to another she simply inserts the letter into the envelope and passes it along. It was not an uncommon thing to have several different letters in one envelope when it arrived. Time and time again you will be able to feel the love and concern she has for all of her family no matter how many miles separate them.