‘Like walking through history’: Wallet stolen 47 years ago returned to original owner

MINOT, N.D. ( KFYR /Gray News) - A wallet missing for nearly 50 years is finally back in the hands of its original owner.

Darlene Abel said getting her wallet back is also proof of just how much things have changed in the past 47 years.

In 1977, Abel worked as a hairstylist at a salon in Minot, North Dakota. She was also pregnant with her son, Justin.

She said the return of her wallet from that year has led her down memory lane and she has been reminiscing on how things have changed, including what she carries in her wallet.

Still, Abel said her pondering is good news.

She said she hadn't thought of the wallet in years after it was stolen from the salon where she worked.

"I suppose it was just a little too much temptation for somebody, you know? And so they took my wallet," she said.

Despite being the victim of theft, Abel said she never reported the crime to police because she didn't want anyone to get into trouble.

"It wasn't that big a deal because I didn't have that much money in it or anything, I don't think," she said. "Maybe they got $10, $12 if they were lucky."

Now Abel is the lucky one after a plumbing crew found her missing wallet in the ceiling of the building where she worked in 1977.

"There's a lot of history here," Abel said as she looked through the contents of her wallet.

Her wallet was able to be returned to her because she still lives at the same address listed on her 1977 driver's license.

"I remember the shirt I wore in that picture," she said. "It was a great shirt."

Abel said she is pretty sure everything in her wallet is still intact, minus a few dollars in cash.

"Here's my library card," she said. "It's obviously expired."

She found old coupons, loyalty cards, credit cards, appointment reminders and business cards, including one for her own business at the time.

There was even a check written out she never got to cash for $9.58.

Out of all of the items in the wallet-turned-time capsule, Abel said the photos are the most valuable.

"There were a lot of photos in there of people who are very precious to me," she said.

Abel carried photos of her nieces, nephews, parents and her daughter, Jessica, with her in her wallet.

Abel said Jessica passed away just months before her wallet was stolen.

"It was just like walking through history, you know, looking at my wallet, my pictures and my cards; and it's been a lot of fun," she said.

Abel said the recovery of her wallet was an unexpected surprise and trip down memory lane that allowed her to recall many of the things from her past.

To this day, Abel said she still has no idea who took her wallet. She said she would like to know, not to press charges but to say thank you for taking her back in time today.