My elderly parents still talk about that storm that occurred on November 11-12, 1940. 150 people across the upper Midwest died from that blizzard, as did huge numbers of livestock. It caught everyone by surprise because it started so quickly. Weather forecasting was in its infancy, and public warning systems didn't exist.
An interesting book, "All He11 Broke Loose", by William Hull, is a history of that storm and is largely comprised of personal stories of those who experienced and survived the storm. Fascinating reading.
The book mentioned things that we wouldn't think about today. For example, many engine blocks were cracked because anti-freeze wasn't in use at that time, just alcohol (which boils off too quickly in warm weather) and it hadn't been cold enough yet to prompt people to drain their radiators nightly. And, water-resistant insulated clothing didn't exist, either, so many of those who died in the storm got drenched with the rain that preceded the snow, and then froze before they could find shelter.
Not sure that this subject fits the category of "good old days"....
Armistice Day Blizzard