I want to thank everyone for their support, calls, messages, and love.

-My Mom was my Rock. I always knew she was there – even when she was mad at me or I was mad at her, there was no doubt of love.

The memories she made with our family, will always be with me. At the farm in Garden City, In Lake Crystal at the Pink house on main street, in Northfield at the apartment and of course in Eagle Lake and eventually, Lake Crystal. She & Dad taught us responsibilities and chores. But mainly they taught us how to be independent women – giving us voices and choices to prepare us for our future.

Other memories we made were driving to Utah to see MaryAnn, Doug and the boys, the adventures we would have along the way and of course being in Logan with the Vanderlouw’s. One summer our van broke down – Dad flew home to work and Mom and us kids were there for a whole month.

Another memory is when we drove to Arizona to see Bill & Kris and their kids. We were there when Billy was born.

The memories we made when we were traveling and going out West, and to the Tetons, are why I am a travel agent, today. I realized back then how important memories and inspiring travel was and how it made me feel. And I wanted to help others have that same feeling.

Mom was a great listener, telling me to take it easy and this too shall pass; It’s only temporary; one day at a time.

She was a very patient grandma and great grandma. (Read 7 gems of wisdom – she had hanging on her wall near her chair)

1. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw your present.
2. What others think of you is none of your business.
3. Time heals almost everything; give it time.
4. Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them. You have no idea what their journey is about.
5. Stop thinking too much; it is all right to now know all the answers. They will still come to you when you least expect it.
6. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
7. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

Smile. Love. Live in the moment. Be grateful for all that you have. LIFE: it is a beautiful miracle.

She was always asking what she could do to help me, make things easier for me.

She would call us girtz…because I think that was something Jonna said and pronounced that way when she was a toddler.

When I was preparing for this day, I kept thinking I was preparing for my dad’s service. I can’t quite wrap my head around her being gone for the rest of this life.

My Mom was my biggest cheer leader, and I know she was very proud of me.

Being with her in those last few days will always be with me. I layed my head on her chest and she padded my back and said, I love you”.

It does comfort me knowing she is with Dad, their unborn son, MaryAnn and Doug, her parents and so many others who passed before them.

(read from a Course of Miracles – also was hanging by her chair)

If you knew who

walked beside you,

at all times,

on this path

that you have chosen,

you could never experience

fear again.