Two more

 Two more deaths... do they come in threes or fours?  My Cousin Diana's husband Dan he was 82 years old.  A second cousin also died Dickie a first cousin of my Mothers....his obituary is not out yet but he was also in his 80's.   I sent cards.  We are pretty much funeraled out.

Planning on a quiet weekend. 

Today is the last day in February.  Leaping onward into March.

We are thankful that we were able to travel on Wednesday and Thursday because on Friday snow squall warnings were issued...my phone even went off with an emergency alert. 

Snow Squall Warning

HAZARD...Flash freeze on roads. Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.

SOURCE...Radar and webcams. IMPACT...Dangerous travel conditions are expected to develop rapidly in the warning area.

Far Side

Red Plaid

 I helped to search my photo archives for photos of our brother in law.  I found a few photos on a flash drive that belonged to my Mom.

It was curious that in two of the group photos that included Dean he was wearing a red plaid flannel shirt.

This photo was taken in 2019. 

This photo from Father's Day I think in 2020.

From part of his obituary.

Throughout his life Dean shared his faith and encouraged others to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He ended his phone conversations with "Have a Blessed Day." Dean was blessed with a servant’s heart and was kind and helpful to everyone. He was known as a mechanic and fixer of all things. He helped anyone who needed it with joy. The week before his death he volunteered at Camp Shamineau's Rock Ridge in Ely, MN refinishing the dining hall. He loved and cared for his family; he fiercely prayed and was the definition of a good and faithful servant for the Lord. Even his last day here on earth is a testament to the way he lived life. Saturday was a beautiful Minnesota winter day, the earth had been covered by new snow earlier in the week, the sky was cerulean, blue, he noticed how the American flag flew in the wind. He started the day with Saturday morning Bible study via Zoom with his treasured Pastor Jim, and dear friends he met while living in Massachusetts. While having breakfast he noticed two rabbits out the window and laughed at their antics. He kissed his wife goodbye and traveled to Aitkin, MN planning to help his siblings and mom care for his dad. He saw a vehicle stuck in the ditch just before getting to his mom and dads, so when he got to his mom and dad's he said a quick "Hello" and headed back outside to offer his help. His heart gave out while helping shovel the snow to get the vehicle out of the ditch.

John 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Far Side

Cousin Dion

 My cousin Dion died on November 9th 2025.   He was a bachelor and is survived by his siblings.  He was the first born to my Uncle Butch and Aunt Kay in 1962.  I remember when he was born. 

The Celebration of Life was this past week.   I sent a card as it was impossible for us to go.   He was a very quiet unassuming Christian man. 

Dion

Tim, Keith, Dion, Kenny and Dwight....old photo from 1987.

For the family history; Dion was my Mom's nephew.   There were 42 of us cousins counting me (I am the oldest).  Sadly four have died...Linda in 2020, Dean in 2021, Diane in 2024 and now Dion in 2025.  So 38 remain.  

Far Side

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.  But if I live.  I can do more fruitful work for Christ.  So I really don't know which is better.  I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.  Philippians 1: 21-23

Linda

 Yesterday we paid our respects to Linda's family.  We went to the visitation a bit early to avoid the crowds of people that would be there.  We found Cousin Tom sitting by himself in the front pew of the church.  Others were in the church making sure the meal was being prepared and everything was just so for their Mothers/Grandmothers funeral service. 

Cousin Tom is sad, he has moved into Senior Living Apartments and out of his home.  The move was planned well before Linda died.  He shared that their home held 50 years of "stuff" and is for sale.  They would have been married 59 years at the end of this month. 

Linda wrote her own obituary and it was lovely especially the last few words.  " I have lived a wonderfully ordinary life; celebrate that with me."

There were a number of her poems in the funeral program! 

  I recall one of our first conversations probably the weekend near June 13 when we all used to gather to celebrate Grandma Tracie's birthday.   Linda liked to suck on rocks...she did it quite discreetly so small children would not notice...she said she had done it all her life and wondered if it was the minerals she liked.  I had never met someone who sucked on rocks before...she seemed pretty normal to me...and she was.  

 She had a marvelous laugh and she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Linda was 78 years old.  She died from Leukemia. 

Far Side

Sad News and Good News

 Last week was a week.  It began with my cousin Diane who lived in Alaska her Memorial Service was live on Facebook.   She was 68 years old. She died after heart bypass surgery.  Her Mother and my Mother were sisters. 

This past Saturday was my second cousin Patsy's funeral, she died from a tick bite that went to a bacterial infection and then septic...she was three months younger than me...her  Father and My Grandfather were brothers.  She spent the entire summer on hospice. I sent a card I did not attend the funeral.

Then Little Elvis died on Friday...that hit me hard.  He and I had a special connection. He loved me unconditionally. 

Friday was also a bit of good news, my second biopsy came back with clear edges!  Thank goodness I don't have to have more surgery on my face!   AND all of my eye tests came back okay, the Doc says my eyes show normal aging.  I also learned that I have an appointment with a different Rheumatologist...but not until April of 2025...this is after waiting two months for a referral and being accepted by their Rheumatology Department.  I am doing my PT exercises and I believe it is making a difference...I have PT appointments starting October 10th. My stitches in my face come out on Thursday this week. It is a medical appointment week ...we have six appointments....it is what we do. 

So the good news outweighs the bad I am not on hospice, I am not dead, I don't have to have more surgery on my face, I can see reasonably well and we can make it by ourselves to appointments...and we still have some dogs to love...Sadie, Baxter and Smudge.  

Far Side

Funeral: To Each His/Her Own

 Yesterday I attended my Uncle Al's funeral.  I rode with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  The funeral was in a town 45 minutes away. There was a gathering time before the funeral service.

My Uncle Al had leukemia and bone cancer, he fought a good fight for over six years ...then the Doctors told him that there was nothing they could do for him anymore.  That was a few months ago shortly after that he went on Hospice.   

Uncle Al was seven years older than me.  He said "I am going to try like heck to make it to my 80th birthday." He was 39 days short of his goal.  He died exactly 4 months after his oldest sister (my Mother).

Uncle Al planned his own funeral.  Hence the name of the blog today To Each His/Hers Own.   The funeral was in an event room at the Holiday Inn.  The casket was in the far corner surrounded by flowers of many purple colors ( He was a Vikings fan).   A slide show of photos played on an large screen...but it was hard to see in a room with so many lights.  A Minister read the obituary out loud ( one of my pet peeves) ...because we cannot read for ourselves??  The sermon was the great message that we are all saved by the grace of God through his son Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life, was crucified and died for ALL our sins.  A number of people shared stories and one of his granddaughters wrote a lovely letter...it was apparent that she loved her Grandfather very much...this I knew was mutual because Uncle Al talked about all of his grandchildren with a huge smile on his face.  The music was fine...Frank Sinatra singing My Way and Elvis singing How Great Thou Art and one other song I cannot recall.  After the service the burial took place at a local cemetery and afterward there was an open bar and food served at the event center. 

We left shortly after the service. 

My Uncle Al is on the far left.  He was the 10th child born to my grandparents.  My Mother is the oldest in this photo on the far right.  Two children not pictured Alfred died in 1947 and James who died in 1948.  Now the only living person in this photo is my Uncle Kenny front row left who is two months younger than me. 

 Me and my Uncle Al in 1952. Uncle Al was seven years old when I was born.   He was the chief baby rocker in the Fall of 1951 and the Winter of 1952...there were three babies in the house...I was born in September and my Grandmother had twins in November. 

 

Funeral flowers from my siblings and I for our Uncle Al.

Far Side

 

Funeral today

 It is Bob’s funeral today.

A very sad day for our son in law Andy, daughter Jen and Grandsons Noah and Adam.

Far Side

A Good Gig

 Who knows the Cornet/Trumpet player?  That one that plays Taps for Soldiers at Funerals? 

I asked the brass player one day.  Why do you play?  

"It was a good gig for a young man.  You show up and play and you get enough money to take a gal to the movies." 

He played in the rain for a special gals Father when he died...

The notes fell loud and true when he played Taps for his Father...

It was a Good Gig as he played Taps at hundreds of Cemeteries over the years.   If he wasn't presiding over a service at the cemetery he was playing Taps.  Bob was a Minister.

Monday night the Cornet/Trumpet was silenced, perhaps the Angels took over...can you imagine a host of Angels playing for you?   Seems fitting for someone like Bob. 

Bob died at home on April 25 late in the evening.  He leaves behind his loving wife of 50 plus years and six children...one of whom is our son in law Andy. Bob had Myelofibrosis which progressed to Leukemia.

We are sad for our son in law Andy, our daughter Jen, our Grandsons and all who loved Bob.  

Far Side

Bill

Our friend Bill died last week.  I went to the funeral two plus hours south of us...a fellow friend and woodcarver Jim and his wife Theresa went with me.  Far Guy stayed home unattended and did just fine.  There are too many germs and fragrances for him to be in a crowd.

Bill had many friends from all walks of life.  I first met Bill when I was working at the museum. I wrote a blog about him here. 

Bill died with his boots on working in the yard doing something with his lawn mower.   Bill was 80 years old.   He was born in Canada and raised in a home without running water or electricity.   His Dad worked for the Railroad.  They moved to Northern Northern Minnesota vs Southern Northern Minnesota.  After graduating from High School he went into the Air Force, with the GI Bill he went to school in Bemidji MN and then the University of Minnesota and got a degree in Biology, decided teaching and the classroom was not for him...so he went to Medical School.

He was a Doctor in the ER in Washington State for 9 years then he had a heart attack at the age of 39...city living had taken its toll. Seeking solitude and cold ( he liked cold weather) he headed to the Arctic Circle in Alaska.  He worked there for a number of years...he visited his village by dogsled, the other three doctors there used planes to get to outlying villages....but not Bill.   A nurse caught his eye and much later they would marry.

He came back to Minnesota to care for his aging Mother and in 1987 he married that Nurse he took a liking to in the Far North.

Bill and Janice have a primitive cabin...with a super dooper pooper outhouse in the Park Rapids area.  Bill moved that outhouse a few years back and dug a new hole for it...it was quite a story as he dug so deep he had a hard time getting back out!  Bill joined our woodcarving group.  Bill made 12 Nyckelharpas in his lifetime and would carve the keys at woodcarving and tell us stories.   He was a character...a good one...someone who was a pleasure to call a friend.  We would compare what kind of wildlife we had going through our yards and which birds we were feeding.  One of his favorite sayings was "Get over it!"

Until yesterday I had only heard one Nyckelharpa played at a time...there were at least ten being played in tribute to Bill.  There are only 20 Nyckelharpa players in Minnesota and half of them were there at the funeral.

Bill was frugal, his Nyckelharpa case was handmade.  I commented on the case once...he said it was custom made and fit his Nyckelharpa perfectly.   One time he left his Nykelhapa in my care, I got detailed instructions on how to remove it from the case...and then he said "Pick it up and hold it, I will teach you to play a note or two."  I did and my attempt at playing sounded like a dying cow...but he still left it in my care for a woodcarving exhibit...I was so relieved when Monday rolled around and I could return it safely to him.  He said "How did it go...did you play?" I replied "NOPE it stayed inside the case the entire time!"  He would often give impromptu concerts at woodcarving!

Bill's friend who makes Maple Sugar gave the eulogy and The Doctor's Doctor gave a blessing for The Healer.  They along with the button accordion player and storyteller all gave Bill a good send off accompanied with lots of music.

We stayed for  a funeral lunch; pretzel buns, ham, turkey, cheese, vegetables, fruit and cookies.

I was back home just after dark..

I am certain Bill was there in spirit...his hat and the box he put his foot upon were there.

A photo of Bill I took in 2013. 

Rest In Peace my friend.

Far Side

Another soggy day

Tuesday found us heading North to a funeral. ( 1 hour North is about as far from home as we go these days.)

Andy's Grandfather died last week.  He was a well loved Grandfather.

We sat at the back of the church.

It  rained and rained at the cemetery.

Andy's Dad (Bob) played Taps for his father in law who served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Andy's Maternal Grandparents were married for 66 years...his Grandmother will be lonely and doubly sad...her son died about six weeks ago.

We got to meet the foreign exchange student from Belgium that will be spending the school year with Andy, Jen and Adam.  Jonas is very tall and very thin...but was introduced to proper Minnesota Funeral food yesterday and seemed to like everything he ate.  We hear that Miss Miney and Little Elvis like him and he likes them too.  He said he is a little nervous to begin school next week and meet so many new people.  He speaks English quite well.  I told Jen that it is too bad he has to attend a funeral during his first week here...Jen said "That's life."

Far Side

Healed

Aunt Lila’s funeral was on Saturday afternoon.  The theme that ran through the service was that she is now healed.  Her suffering and pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis is over.  Her children reported that after her last breath a huge smile came across her face….who knows what wonders she saw…we can only imagine.

It was a fairly long service first by a cousin who is a retired pastor and then by the pastor who visited her in the nursing home.

After the service a time of food and fellowship was held in the fellowship hall.  A meal of scalloped potatoes and ham, tator tot hotdish, corn, coleslaw, pickles and flat bread was served…topped off by a dessert buffet of bars and cake…every kind you can imagine…I had gingerbread Far Guy had chocolate.  After we finished our meal and coffee we headed to the cemetery.

The cemetery is located high on a hill, the single lane road going up was covered like an archway with changing leaves.

 

The gravedigger sits against the colorful tree high on the hill.  My Paternal Grandparents are buried on the left side of the photo at the top of the hill.

After a graveside service we sang Jesus Love Me and the gravedigger came down from the hill to ready the casket for lowering into the vault.  When the casket touches bottom it makes a thud four times as it settles into the vault.  Some threw flowers into the grave.  Most time the family is not present for the lowering of the casket….I have been to one other funeral where the casket was lowered in the presence of the mourners.

My Aunt would have been pleased with  the church full of people that came to say goodbye and to hug her children.  She would have approved of the meal…and the coffee.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ  Philippians 3:20

Aunt Louise Laid To Rest

Tuesday morning was Aunt Louise’s funeral.  It was a very nice service with a luncheon afterwards….Minnesota funeral food; lettuce salad, scalloped potatoes, ham, dill pickles,  crusty bread and all kind of bars.

Aunt Louise was a heck of a bread baker we always enjoyed when she shared a loaf of bread with us.  I recall one day years ago when Far Guy’s Mom was alive Willard and Louise were visiting her in the Nursing Home and someone mentioned fresh bread…a little old lady came over and said “That is one thing I miss…fresh baked bread.”  Well you can guess that planted a seed in a bread bakers mind and a few days later fresh bread was delivered to that little old lady. Years later when Far Guy was at his Mom’s bedside for days…loaves of bread were delivered for him to bring home… comfort food from a special aunt.

After lunch we left town and drove the 15 miles to the cemetery…a number of cars pulled to the side of the road and waited for the procession to pass by.

Funeral procession

She was laid to rest next to her husband.  We have a plot in the same row as does Alaska Guy.  Family has to stick together.

Funeral : Aunt Kay

My Aunt Kay died a week ago she was 76 years old. The funeral was yesterday.  My Mother is fighting a bad cold, she sent my Father out to go to the funeral with us.  My other baby brother and she who sees robin’s first went too.  Far Guy stayed home…good thing too as the perfumy smell of cleaning products assaulted you as soon as you opened the door of the church.

My Aunt Kay was married to my Uncle Clarence, Butch was his nickname.   They raised four children together and then divorced.  I had not seen my cousins in about 24 years.  It was good to see them at the funeral…now they are in their 50’s except for Holly who is going to be 48 she was born on our wedding day back in 1969.

My Aunt Kay was a very kind woman, she was a good mother and grandmother.  I have many good memories of her when I was growing up. I saw her and my uncle just about every week at my grandparents for Sunday dinner.  Their place on Little Floyd Lake where they raised chinchillas.  The new home they built together that had a double fireplace was beautiful.   We butchered chickens one summer out on a picnic table in the yard.  My Dad worked at the “shop” there and we would visit him there in the spring. When Far Guy and I picked out Mom and Dad’s White German Shepard puppy in Ada Minnesota…we took the pup as far as Uncle Butch and Aunt Kay’s place so my parents could pick her up.

The Funeral Sermon was short and sweet and to the point.  Ashes to ashes dust to dust.  Laugh and enjoy your time here on earth whatever troubles you encounter won’t matter in heaven.  Death has lost it’s sting because Jesus died on the cross. 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I took a photo inside the church so my Mother could see all the flowers.

After the afternoon service we joined with the family for coffee and bars…all kinds mainly chocolate!

I took some photos of my Uncle and Aunt’s wedding album…they got married in October of 1960.

 

 

My baby brother was the ring bearer.

The parents looking at the ring.  Those are my grandparents on the right.  Grandma wore gloves and grandpa had some dark hair.

The wedding cake photo with a bunch of little girls looking on.  One is me, I am the tallest, my Aunt Karen is next to me…down in front the little gal with the great expression on her face might be  relatives from the other side of the family or it might be cousins La Rae, Vickie or Diane.

From weddings to the grave…my Uncle Butch died in 1993 and now Aunt Kay in 2017.

Funeral: Aunt Grace

Yesterday was my Aunt Grace’s Funeral.  She was 82.  Two years ago when it was her 80th birthday, her kids showed off many of the quilts that she had made.

Many were well worn and used.  She like to see them that way…well used=appreciation!

Sadly in the last few months she lost the use of her hands, no more quilting, embroidery or hand work to keep her mind busy.

She was one of the kindest people I have ever known.  She was a good Aunt.  She was married to my Uncle George who died in 1997.  She invited me to quilting bees even though I couldn’t quilt…I learned and whatever my stitches were she always said they were perfect.

Far Guy and I both went to the wake, and then I attended the funeral.  After the service we had a Minnesota Funeral Lunch; scalloped potatoes with ham, bread, green beans, pickles, coleslaw, macaroni salads, fruit salads, every color of Jello with and without fruit and every kind of cake or bar you can imagine.  I didn’t take Jello cause I don’t like it to melt on my plate and get mixed up with my hot foods.  I balanced my slice of bread precariously on top of my green beans.  When I sat down to eat, I arranged my food just so… my other baby brother said “It is all going the same place anyway.” I know but I still don’t like my food to touch. I had a fine visit with one of my cousins who is usually too busy this time of year to talk.

It was raining.  I left before the Funeral Procession, I wanted to get some photos at the cemetery.

The rain was not letting up.

The casket awaits.

I got out of the car and stood under a very tall Spruce Tree.

Aunt Grace’s casket bearers were her seventeen grandchildren.

It kept raining, after the priest was done, someone began singing Silent Night.

The voices carried across the graveyard as it rained and rained. 

Rest In Peace sweet Aunt Grace

Her birthday photo I took two years ago.

This is the poem her children chose for the inside of her funeral program.

******

Mother’s never die – they just make quilts in the sky.

We will often remember and then realize.

That mothers are special and wonderfully wise…

And when she “Goes home” to recieve her reward

She will dwell in her heavenly home,

and make quilts for the Lord

Where she will “light up” the stars

that shine through the night

So dry tears of sorrow, for mothers don’t die-

They just move in with GOD and make quilts in the sky.

************

 

Funeral in Blackduck

Yesterday we drove north to attend a funeral. Our Son In Law Andy’s Grandfather died. We wanted to be there to show our respect to Art’s family especially our son in law, daughter and our grandsons.

Art was 91 years old the father of eight and a WWII Veteran who served from 1943 to 1946 in the Marshall Islands as a Hospital Corpsman.

One of Art’s sons relayed this story about their family. “ Me being one of the youngest ( He said a mistake, a playmate, another mistake and another playmate) we were in the grocery store with our Mom, Fern, one day when a lady stopped to admire “The grandchildren”  Fern replied oh no these are my children.  The lady said I didn’t know you were Catholic?  Fern replied we’re not we are amorous.”

We had a funeral lunch: a hotdish complete with sliced olives, pasta salads, a wonderful pistachio salad (that had pineapple in it but it was so delicious), fresh buns, pickles of every kind and raw vegetables and dip.  Every kind of sugar loaded chocolate top bar known to mankind, coffee and lemonade.  The lunch was before visitation and the funeral.

The weather was sunny but the wind was cold.

The Honor Guard

Grandchildren were casketbears

The flag is clutched by Aaron (Art’s Grandson and Andy’s brother), Aaron presented it to one of Art’s daughters.

The bugler plays Taps for his Father.

I didn’t know if Bob (Art’s oldest son and Andy’s Dad) would play for his Dad or not…I think it was hard for him but something he wanted to do.

Bob is a Lutheran Minister, he had a small part in the service but basically left the service to his brother and the Pastor.

Bob was part of the five piece band that played during the service; a pianist, two trumpet players, a trombone player and a tuba player.  I admire people that can just pick up an instrument and play…we asked Andy what he played?  He replied “I used to play trumpet when I was in High School.”