Written by Gina Hoveland - 

Trig's story on earth ended on Saturday morning, August 10, 2019. We believe that he is now in heaven with a cancer-free body. He had plans to start the experience by going fishing with his father after reconnecting with other friends and relatives that have already made the trip. Of course, his high point will no doubt have been meeting and embracing Jesus who has been loving on him for over 58 years.

He was a wonderful husband to me for what would have been 38 years on Thursday. Trig was an exceptionally kind and loyal, family-and-friend-oriented person. He loved to please others and found enjoyment in sacrificing his own comforts in order to do just that. One way he enjoyed doing that was by feeding people. Mostly by feeding them homemade pies...and root beer floats. :)

The ultimate way for him to enjoy those relationships were things like hunting deer on Truman's property, salmon fishing on Miller's boat in Alaska, ice fishing and Spring Boundary Waters, and spending cousin time in Wisconsin.

His life's highlight was to be a good father to Matt, (Rachel), Anna, (Matt) and Jon (Tricia). His crowning delight was for Anna and husband Matt's baby, Logan, to arrive a few hours before Trig passed from our sight on Saturday morning.

He said he that if given the choice, he would have chosen the challenging 20-months of chemo,  hospital visits, and pain over a quick departure since it gave us a heightened sense of urgency to be intentional about relationships and bucket lists. Not surprisingly, his bucket list was pretty basic and mostly consisted of more time with those we love and making time to sit on the front porch and hold hands...there was also a great trip to Ireland! It gave us time to feel the blessing of being held up by prayer warriors and the comfort of being loved on and cared for by people sharing their gifts of hospitality, canned goods/meals, home-made hats, and cards with words of affirmation. Also, it gave us the opportunity to mature a bit in our faith. Time to process.

Trig had a life well-lived. We will all miss seeing him, but we will also hold him in our hearts as a precious part of ourselves until we see him again.

We'll have his memorial service on Friday at Eagan Hills Church: 9:30 visitation; 11:00 service; and 12:00 lunch (with root beer floats and pie, of course).

Goodbye for now, My Love.