A quick update regarding dads memorial funds. The family has landed on the big 3 that we will be contributing to in dads honor.  But we know he held many organizations in high regard.  Please feel free to contribute to the one you feel best honors him. 

1.  On Mom’s first birthday in heaven, we tried to find a way to help dad celebrate her.  Camp JIM in Pillager allowed us to rent a small cabin and take a pontoon ride.  It brought much calm and reflection and we know mom loved Camp JIM. You may go to their website and donate directly (https://campjim.org/

or Send a check to us and we will be happy to forward your gift. 

2. The last year of dads life he spent quite secluded as a “shut in”.  Not much way to get out and about.  A church in Staples provided a church bus to his residence and he loved that weekly outing. He kept a “$15 bill” in his Bible to give to the driver each week.  For some reason $15 seemed about right for a ride to church 

we were so grateful that Dad would take the little “meatball and lutefisk express”. It meant so much to us that he had a way to get to church each week. We hope many residents will have the same opportunity.

…again.  You may go directly to the website to contribute https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YSJS/campaign/C-13FAX

or direct the contribution to us and we will be sure to get it to the church in dads name. 

3.  A few weeks before mom passed she commented that we should take dad back to Staples.  I could not understand why she thought so.  It wasn’t until the last day that I held dad’s hand in the Lakewood care center that I was able to grasp what she was seeing. 

although not perfect, the care dad received at Lakewood Health System was tender and thoughtful.  We saw a good part of the system from the inside!  From podiatry to cardiology to oncology, from the infusion center to the clinic to the cafeteria, from the manor to the Pines to the Care Center, from the hospital to the home care to the hospice. There was no doubt that they placed dad as a high priority. 

we got to know doctors, nurses, therapists, nursing assistants, custodians, cleaning staff, chaplains, and social workers. Excellent and quality folks all around. 

as I sat with dad and recalled all that Lakewood did to care for him and me, I began to see others coming up behind us and how I hoped they would also be able to receive such care. Therefore, I believe a gift to Lakewood would honor dad. 

if you would like to give online you may visit the website. https://www.lakewoodhealthsystem.com/patients-visitors/about-lakewood/foundation/foundation-online-donations/

or feel free to forward the contribution to me and I will be sure to get the funds delivered. 

We thank you all so much for your loving care, the prayers, the notes/letters, the phone calls, the visits. You truly carried us along these last three years. 

i pray that God blesses your journey as you remember our mom and dad and the ministry they had through the years. 

much love, Michelle