Huge gratitude, beyond words, goes out to everyone with a hand in Mom's beautiful service. Thanks to Juanita Delbridge and Cheryl Hammerstrom for all the time, effort, and preparation put into hanging Mom's quilts and displaying our photos. Thank you Nancy Simons for heading up the wonderful lunch. Everyone who contributed to the wonderful lunch ~ what would we do without you? Thanks to the kitchen crew that took care of all the dishes, cleanup, etc.
Rush Funeral Home went above and beyond our expectations taking care of and providing things we never would have dreamed of. Thanks Harold Delbridge for such a beautiful service.
Mom had hand picked each of her pall bearers. She, as usual, had a plan. I wish I had made it known at the service her reasoning for each pall bearer. Lane Butler and Norman Hanzlik represented all her friends. Brian Olson represented all the teachers she taught with. Glen King represented all the students she taught. Larry and Darwin Hauser represented her side of the family while Tommy Simons represented Dad's side. She was so honored to have these fine men represent every aspect of her life. Thank you.
Butch Samuelson's amazing talents on the piano and Teri Kissack's angelic voice no doubt put a huge smile on Mom's face. She knew Butch would take care of her with his talent and that he did.
Her students from Takini did a fabulous job on the drums. She was so proud to be part of the Takini family. Mom had a real appreciation for the drums and their significance to the culture she respected so much.
The Elm Springs ladies provided fabulous fellowship goodies after the burial allowing us to spend more time together. Jen Magee and Sandy VanVleck were there through the thick and thin doing my job of taping and photographing every aspect of Mom's special day. I will forever treasure the photos and the video for many many years to come.
The day was just how she would have planned it. We thank Mother Nature for her hand in the beautiful, not too hot, not too windy weather. We gathered at our house later in the day to continue Mom's celebration with a bonfire in her honor. She always loved and looked forward to Bummer's bonfires. He knows just how to keep things stacked and stoked so everyone stays warm.
Mom's Boys ~ she often wondered and asked what she would do without her boys. Now, I have found myself asking what I would do without her boys too. Their presence along with that of their wonderful wives and beautiful children is what has helped me through these past weeks. The boys have had their campers in our yard for over a week. Sanden was the last to take his camper home last night leaving my yard empty. My house is quiet and empty this morning ~ no kids in and out ~ no laughter ~ no Simons crew to fix dinner for.
I mentioned to Morris how empty things were going to feel around here. I thought it would be a good idea to just move someone in that I could take care of. He just gave me a grin. Mo has been my rock through this whole thing ~ beginning to end. Mom has always loved Mo as one of her own. Dad and the boys have most recently said that it takes someone pretty special to put up with this crew day in and day out for this long. John and Jean can be so very proud of such a wonderful son. We so very much appreciate Andy, (Mo's brother), for taking care of the daily Linn Ranch activities, allowing Morris to be able to spend time at home with all of us. The Linn's are wonderful and I am so proud to be a part of that family too.
We gathered once again yesterday to lay Danny Ray to rest next to Mom at the Elm Springs Cemetery. Mom often said that everything comes full circle. We may rest knowing Mom and Danny will forever be together for all eternity wrapped in God's loving arms.
Thank you for being there, reading this entry, and lifting us all up in prayer. The coming days, weeks, months, and years will never be the same without our beautiful, vivacious, loving mother with her contagious smile and heartwarming laughter. Thankfully, I have Mo, Kassandra, Dad, the boys, and their fabulous families to see me through. Together, and in Mom's honor, we can conquer all.
Shirrise
