November 26, 1925 - January 18, 2014
This photo shows most of the dinner crowd after funeral service and interment ceremony (brrrr!). Missing: Dane and Mitchell Steinlicht (who were solving a tricky technical problem!).
The threatening weather sent our traveling guests on their way earlier than planned. Paul and Janice Godtland headed back to South Dakota. Danny, Chelsea, and their three daughters hoped to still attend a wedding in the Twin Cities. Robert and Stephen Wilson and their families made it safely homes, as did Martin and Becky Sterner, Annie and Jerry Hanson, and Kate Sterner. We're thrilled they could all spend the day with us in a wonderful tribute to our mother. Thanks everyone!
There have been requests to have Paster Vern's Remembrance posted here. YOU'LL FIND THAT ON HIS PAGE HERE.
Furthermore, Paster Vern asked if we could include the family tributes made. He had wanted to do this himself, but lost a thread or two. So they follow. Feel free to spread the word. The German relatives have already shared how much they've enjoyed this English lesson.
1. Greta loved music. Everyone who knew her at any stage in her life could clearly see this passion. She wanted to share her passion when ever she had the chance. Early in her life she taught piano to children. She played the organ in church, first in her hometown of Lincoln NE, then in Rochester at this very church, Zumbro Lutheran. She met her husband to be, Howard, accompanying the church choir at Zumbro. She and Howard were also both involved in the church's decision and acquisition of the marvelous Aeolian Skinner organ we are listening to this morning. Thank you to our special guest organist, a close family friend of Greta, Merrill Davis III, for sharing his talent with us today.
Music was also a legacy she left with her children.
There is truth to the urban legend that a family with five children
can, indeed, each practice piano for half an hour each day before breakfast.
To make it easier, there were two pianos and one weekly off-site piano
lesson included in the plan.
In later years Greta and Howard enjoyed music with
their feet! Round dancing became almost a lifestyle for these two in
their retirement years taking them across the country in pursuit of the
"perfect caller." Their love of dancing was so strong it drew them to
actually living in a "dancing community!" They danced everyday of their
lives...what a beautiful thought. I'd like to think they are dancing
right now, in heaven.
2. Mom was always walking, even when she was über-dimensional, in her
9th month carrying full-sized twins, such that her neighbors kept
watch as she walked by. But most often, she had company while she walked. When we were young, she brought us five kids along with her during the evenings to tire us out before bedtime. She taught us all types of songs and marching ditties during that time.
But Dad was her favorite walking companion. They
walked daily until it was no longer physically possible. Through parks
and neighborhoods, in an airport or mall, along the beach, wherever they
were, they walked and talked and prayed together.
One reason that this seems important is that we
never saw our parents quarrel. Theirs was a united, seamless presence of
support and guidance. Certainly they weren't always in agreement.
Every evening in those early years as active parents, they walked
together, sometimes longer than others, but they didn't come home until
they had reached consensus.
This unity was a wonderful example for us in so many ways.
3. Finally, Mom's sisters, Ruth and Martha (yes, of the Sorensen Trio) deserve a special mention
to acknowledge our thanks and praise for their phenomenal gifts of love
and attention to our mother, all of these years. Their bonds were tight
and true. That they too live at Madonna Towers speaks volumes. That
they cared for Mom on a daily basis is just amazing, and has always been so appreciated.
