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The Battle is the Lord's 
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:6-8
Journal
Thursday, September 1, 2005 4:48 PM CDT Precious friends and family,
At 2:07 AM this morning, Dad took his final breath and entered the kingdom of heaven...he went so peacefully and we were all gathered around his bed. God was glorified through his life and through his death. We are going to miss him every minute of every day, but we know he is now in a NEW body, PERFECT and WHOLE--and he's not fighting this awful cancer anymore!!! He is probably dancing on streets of gold and gazing into the face of his Maker! We KNOW he is worshiping!
His oncologist said he was given so many miracles during this cancer battle and we know that is true. We thank God for giving us so much more time with him and for the quality of life he was able to have! His oncologist told us that last year, when the cancer had spread to his spinal fluid that he was thinking 2-3 weeks, but told us 2-3 months. For him to live over a year past that prognosis is another miracle.
His funeral will be at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo on Saturday, September 3rd at 11 AM with a reviewal on Friday night from 4-8 PM at Korsmo Funeral Home in Moorhead. Dad will be buried on Sunday in Laurens, Iowa near his dad. There will be a visitation at the funeral home in Laurens from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM with a prayer and sharing time at 2:30 PM. Burial will be at the Laurens cemetery at 4 PM followed by a lunch at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City.
We are so sad that he is gone, but we feel a huge burden lifted and a peace that his cancer fight is over. This battle truly WAS the Lord's, and Dad acknowledged that every step of the way. His faith never wavered and that is a big part of the legacy he leaves.
So many of you have already reached out with love and we want to thank you for that. You are the hands and feet of Christ. Dad's funeral will be a time of celebration and worship, just like he would've wanted it. A memorium will be given to CaringBridge for the way it's ministered to our family and so many others. We will regularly check the guestbook here so feel free to leave a note if you'd like and please keep in touch.
This may be the last update on Dad's CaringBridge site. I know we've said this before, but THANK YOU for loving us so much and PRAYING for Dad and the whole family. You were instrumental in the miracles that he received and he was always so happy to hear that people were praying for him. We know that the grieving process is a long one, but we know that Jesus will carry us every step of the way. As Dad wrote in his last update on here, ONE THING I DO KNOW, GOD WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME. I'd like to leave you with the words to a song that spoke to us the other night, when we felt God was showing us that it was Dad's time to go. I hope it speaks to you, too. I wish I could have it play for you right now, but I'm not sure how to do that. It is by Mark Schultz, on his Stories and Songs cd.
We love you all,
Jenny
(Addresses of the church/funeral home are at the bottom)
"CLOSER TO YOU"
Closer to me
I'm tired and I'm weak
And every breath within me
Is longing just to be
Closer to You
So I face the road ahead
'Cause I know there's no comparing
To what's waiting at the end
So let the rain start falling where it will
And I will run through this valley
Just to climb that hill
And if they ask why I'm smiling
After all I've been through
It's 'cause I'm just a day closer to You
Closer to me
I hear You whisper in the wind
You say although my life is fading
A new one will begin
Closer to You
And I know I'm not alone
'Cause I can hear You in the distance
Saying you are nearly home
And if they ask me why I'm dancing
Though my days may be few
It's 'cause I'm just a day closer to You
Closer to me
You're in the laughter and the tears
Of the ones I leave behind me
Who have prayed me through the years
Closer to You
And I know it won't be long
Until you're running down the pathway
And You take me in Your arms
And if they ask me why I'm singing
Though my life's almost through
It's 'cause I'm just a day closer
I'm just a day closer
I'm just a day closer to You
**Rooms are available at the Flying J Motel in Fargo for a hotel bereavement rate of $41.80 per night for 2 double beds. 701-282-8473
Bethel Evangelical Free Church
701-232-4476
2702 30th Ave S
Fargo, ND 58103
Korsmo Funeral Service
409 South 8th Street
Moorhead, MN 56561
888-799-1533
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Don & Cindy Wenell
2707 28th Avenue SW
Fargo, ND 58103
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