Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Wistful Wednesday: Uncle Dennis

Last Friday my Uncle Dennis died.  He was 78 years old.  He was a strong man not only physically built like a big old bear but strong in his faith.  He could quote you a Bible verse or two or three.
He adored his wife my Aunt Judy.  He was a good father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He was an honorable man serving God and Country.
dennis 1957 (2)
This photo was taken shortly after he was drafted in 1955 at the age of 18.  He spent six years in the Army.  This photo in a 8 x10 slightly colorized version was always on top of Grandma’s Cabinet where she stored her pretty dishes or on the porch on the cabinet where she kept favorite pictures. 
Dennis May 6 1951 (2) My Mother has marked this photo Dennis May 6 1951. He was 14 years old.
Dennis Confirmation (3)
Laura, Julie, Dennis May 6 1951.  Dennises Confirmation.  The photos were taken by my Mother at my grandparents farm.

I think that Laura and Julie (short for Julius) were my Uncle’s Godparents.  It is sometimes a custom (in Lutheran families) to have a photo taken with your Godparents…those people that held you at your baptism and renounced the devil and all his wicked works and ways for you because you were too little to speak for yourself….well they were also there the day when you confirmed your faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and they were people who upheld you in their prayers. Julie and Laura were long time friends and neighbors of my grandparents.

I have no doubt that my Uncle went straight from this world to heaven….and that is a joyous feeling!  The last time I spoke with him we touched on the subject of death…he said “Ya ya in God’s time, he is in charge you know? Ya ya.” (Ya ya was one of my Uncles favorite ways to begin and end a sentence.)

My Maternal Grandparents had twelve children.   My Mother and her three youngest siblings are all that remain.  My Mother is second to the oldest.
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19 comments:

Cathie said...

I'm sending my sympathies for your loss. Give your mother a hug from me.

linda m said...

So sorry to hear your Uncle Dennis passed away. I believe right along with you that he is in Heaven.

Unknown said...

Another gone, having lots of Aunts and Uncles is great, but we have seen so many pass on. Party in Heaven, Uncle Dennis with Brothers and Sisters.

Country Gal said...

Sorry for your loss . Loved the old photos and the memories will always be there .

DJan said...

I am always glad to hear of someone passing away who is such a good soul. I'm sure you're right and he went straight to heaven. I hope I'll be so lucky when my time comes. Thanks for introducing us.. :-)

Intense Guy said...

Ya ya, a good looking man - the world needs the good people that it seems to lose too soon, ya ya.

Mac n' Janet said...

Sounds like a good man and we have so few of them any more.

Henny Penny said...

He does sound like a good man. He was a handsome man too.

Linda W. said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle.

Karen said...

Sorry to hear of your uncle's passing.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have given him a sweet testimony here- I'm sure he is smiling at you from heaven.

Red said...

My sympathy for your loss. He was a character and we always love our uncles.

Granny Marigold said...

I'm sorry your uncle has died but happy for him because he has gone to heaven! One feels such a mix of happy and sad.

Linda Reeder said...

It's sad to see all of our elders pass on. Your uncle must have been a lovely man.

Jacqi Stevens said...

It seems this month has had so many losses, even right around the Thanksgiving holiday. Two funerals in less than a week around here.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Your uncle must have been a gem of a man. Hold on to that inspiration he left behind!

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful tribute. I'm sorry for your uncle's passing, but it seems he lived a life that left good memories to hold on to. RIP Dennis and thank you for your service.

Rita said...

Ya ya. Right to heaven. ;)

L. D. said...

I am really sorry for you loss of your Uncle Dennis. He sounds like a really straight arrow with goodness added. I like the memories of what grandmother did with her special photos and things.

Sam I Am...... said...

It's so sad to see that generation leave us. They were great people with great loyalty and integrity....I'm not sure we'll ever see that again. I'm so sorry for your loss and your family's loss.