Dad;s death just 20 months after Mom's...This was the eulogy I gave at his funeral

My granddaughter Olivia has started to sing little songs and do different things and she often tells her parents “My grandma taught me that”. I think last week she wiped her nose on her sleeve and said “My grandma taught me that!” Dad had a pretty public life but here are some things that my Dad taught me that you may not know about: 1. He liked to go shopping—especially for shoes, would often shop in catalogues. 2. Loved kids, watching them and teasing them 3. Lived his Christianity, didn't preach it 4. Loved his career of farming 5. Loved nature 6. Loved to travel 7. Loved his heritage—Proud to be a Dane 8. Hard worker—sometimes I’ve cursed the good work ethic that he taught us 9. Took pride in his appearance (Pastor called him “dapper”) 10. Proud of his family 11. Not afraid to show emotion 12. Enjoyed a good argument but wasn’t mean 13. Loved to play cards—awesome Whist player, remembered who played what 14. Loved to read 15. Sports, baseball, golf, tried water skiing at 70 16. Loved music 17. Loved to dance 18. Liked to play 19. Gambling—loved to go to the casino and was incredibly lucky 20. Loved animals, especially black labs 21. Respectful and listened to opposing opinions 22. Was generous 23. Cared deeply about those less fortunate 24. Stayed politically active his whole life 25. Had passion for his causes even when criticized 26. Gave of his time even when it wasn't convenient 27. Believed in the value of education 28. Good mechanic and carpenter without training 29. Smart..skipped several grades in school 30. Story teller and we will miss his stories so much 31. Good neighbor 32. Lifelong learner.. got the Mayo newsletter, read about dementia so he knew what to do when mom got restless, read about diabetes and hearing loss 33. Believed in Cooperatives and educated us in their importance. Curt farms, Alyce married to Farmers Union insurance agent, Val married to Co-op elevator manager, Bruce works at Co-op credit union, Kay married to a farmer, Tilford worked at a Co-op tire store 34. Loved Mom’s cooking and nothing else ever was quite like hers. We didn’t have much pineapple, raisins or green beans in our house but had plenty of Maple Nut Ice Cream and fried potatoes with grape jelly 35. Waited awhile to get married (age 29) and found the love of his life. He either gave her a fancy mirror and brush set for Christmas or a very feminine watch. Often bought her little gifts or wrote her sweet notes. How many of us remember if the house we grew up in had dust on the shelves or under the beds or matching silverware on the table. What I remember is that my mother and father had a passion for books and reading and that they told us when we were young that they were saving money for college. I also remember the celebrations we had as each child reached a milestone in their education. I remember the heated discussions at the supper table and it was only when I was older that I realized that Dad was upset because of some social injustice and he wondered why other people didn’t take as passionate an interest in these injustices as he did. I remember them taking time out of their busy schedules to serve on community boards or teach a class. They allowed us to use our imaginations whether it was I turning the kitchen into a grocery store or the garage into a race track with our various roller skates, bikes and doll buggies. I remember my father teaching me how to waltz at a father daughter event in high school. I remember parents who took us to church every Sunday. They taught us the value of hard work but also the value of recreation when they took us to the Seattle World’s Fair, state fairs or the Farmers Union card party. They told us we were important whether they took time to wash and iron the curtains in our play house or to saddle a pony. Our house was very much like many other houses. What made it unique was Alvin and Stella, who inhabited it for over 60 years. T was there that they lived out their faith, nurtured their family and opened their home to friends and relatives. As we hear the stories, we siblings are reminded of the privilege of being a part of life in that old house. The people who lived there made the difference. That’s true for all of us as we live in our houses, work in and engage in our places of employment, our churches, our social and community relationships. The difference we make impacts others. The difference we make may result in good and happy memories for others, or unpleasant ones. Perhaps one of my strongest memories is when Dad decided to get confirmed as an adult. It takes courage to publicly profess your faith. As followers of Jesus we are called to live in ways that move others to do likewise and to give thanks for the way we have reflected the love, grace and goodness of God. My prayer is that you and I will leave that kind of legacy. I believe I hear God saying “well done, good and faithful servant.” Kathy Mattea sings a song called “Whose Gonna Know But Me?’ On the top of my desk mid the clutter and dustSits an old eight by ten black and whiteIt's one of my favorite pictures of us I'll carry with me all my lifeI must have been about five or sixMom's hair was still brown and dad's was still thickBut to look at it now sometimes I get scaredTo think that today they are no longer hereCause who's gonna know but me who'll help me recall those small memoriesWhen we’re all that's left of this family who's gonna know but meDown in the cellar under the steps sits an old box of junk that I've savedNewspaper clippings letters and cards even some code-a-phone tapesSlices of life I can hold in my hand and show to my kids so they might understandIn those years to come when they ask me some nightWhat grandma and grandpa used to be likeCause who's gonna know but me...If life were a video I could rewindI'd go back and slow down each moment in timeThen I'd disconnect the fast forward buttonSo I'd have forever to tell 'em I love 'emThe older I get I can't get enough of 'emCause who's gonna know but me... Rest in peace Dad. We love you and we miss you. We know you’re dancing with Mom and hugging Shirley. Well done good and faithful servant….