Sweet Memorial!

The "immediate family"-1 son, 1daughter, 5 grandaughters and all spouses.

The 5 grandaughters

Sunset from one of Grandpa's favorite restaurant's.

Last weekend was my grandfather's memorial service. A few people have asked "how did it go?" My response is usually "Great. It was so much fun." That sounds kind of strange about a memorial and the death of a cherished loved one, but then, I hope that is what is said at my memorial. We truly celebrated the life and the legacy that my grandfather had left behind. We rejoiced in knowing that he had gone to heaven to be with my grandmother and to meet his Saviour.



The service was very meaningful. The time together as a family was wonderful. We live in 4 different states and between all of us have 13 kids all under 11, so needless to say we don't see each other often. So minus the 13 kids, we had a great time of remembering Grandpa, catching up, remembering the good times and cherishing some special moments.



His only fear was that he would be forgotten. The journalist in him led him to write 11 + chapters describing his life and the important events and people that he shared life with over 88 years. He was great to send out "Family Factoids". These were email's on the day of someone's birthday, anniversary or a special day in history, that shared information and history so that they would not be forgotten and so that generations to come would know their background. We have agreed as a family, to continue this tradition.



He left is mark in so many ways, many I will never know about. But many people came up to the family and remarked about how he had invested in them ( a young high school football player, a young city reporter, his therapist's from the time of his stroke-10 years ago) and made them feel loved, cherished and given them a desire to do well. Now, you must understand he was a man of his opinion and not shy to share it. I mean that in the best possible way. He would tell you how he saw it and what he thought you should do or say, usually only if you asked for his opinion, but sometimes when you did not.



We talked about how he pursued us as a family. He was amazing, at 88 and 10years after a stroke that left him unable to type, he emailed all of us!!! It was such a gift to be able to stay in touch over many miles and many years. And he was always good to check in even when we were not so good to do the same. He also became more and more open about his life in his later years. All of his grandaughter's had the opportunity to see him in the last year and to hear some stories and history that we had never known and that helped us to understand him and our background.



Another thing that he started and I hope to always do, is a Christmas letter. For as long as I can remember, before christmas letters and pictures were the norm, he would send a letter each year updating everyone on their life, and the lives of friends and family. I LOVE getting these letters from anyone, and I now know why:) Thanks Grandpa!



So to sum it up here are some of the things that come to mind when I think of Grandpa Gus:

-a man that loved and valued his family

-reached out to others

-always made those around him feel, valuable, loved and known

-loved and cherished history

-poured into his local community on many levels

-had an interest in politics because it is important to our country

-a great writer

-an amazing business man

- a lover of sports

-a man of faith (even though it was in his last week that he saw his need for a Savior in Christ-he still had faith)

-a man of incredible integrity


I know he has new peace, joy and a new body in heaven. I guess he can see what we all do here on earth and hope that we continue to do him proud and that he never feels forgotten. Love you, Grandpa Gus!!!!