This past weekend we have been thinking of our family members who have passed away. Those that served in our military and those that didn’t.  

This weekend especially we had G’pa Archie (Stormy) Weatherly (Kenny’s mom’s dad) on our minds…he passed away on Memorial Day in 2015.  The timing was so fitting since he served many years in the Air Force.  He flew bomber planes in World War II and had so many amazing stories from his career.  Archie was the most generous person I’ve ever known. And because he lived in town, our kids knew him too which was so special.  

When James was a baby, G’ma Lucile Weatherly (Kenny’s mom’s mom) passed away in November of 2009.  What a wonderful soul she was.  She served in the Army as a nurse for many years.  In fact, Lucile was on active duty in France when she met Archie.  Anna’s middle name, Lucile, is in remembrance of G’ma.  Lucile always greeted you with a smile and a hug and loved to sit down and chat.  

Both Archie and Lucile were such wonderful grandparents to Kenny, and myself as well when I joined the family.  They loved – with every ounce of themselves.  

Kenny’s Aunt Margaret passed away in April of 2016.  She lived with Archie & Lucile in town and we all loved Marg, as we called her.  She was loving to our kids, always had a small gift for them or something to play with when we’d go to visit.  She was a master at finding the perfect, hilarious card for someone and loved old movies.  

My G’ma Wilma Knapp (my dad’s mom) died in March of 2006, while I was still teaching at ECA.  I remember the day I received the phone call from Dad in the school office.  The teachers that hugged me as we sorted out my taking a few days off.  G’ma Wilma loved us well through her cooking and I have beautiful memories of almost weekly meals at their house in Brule, NE.  Years before I came along, G’ma Wilma sang beautifully – in church, at weddings and funerals.  Her vocal chords were accidentally damaged in a procedure she had and I was never able to hear her.  I’m positive she’s singing beautifully again for Jesus.   

Her husband, my G’pa Ed Knapp (my dad’s dad) passed away just last year on April 24, 2016.  All four of us and my parents were privileged to be with him when he went to heaven.  It was a very hard, special day.  G’pa Ed suffered from diabetes and lived without legs for many years before his death.  He was so ready to meet Jesus and prayed for that often.  Years ago, G’pa loved gardening and helped my Dad with a massive garden every year.  G’pa loved having his picture taken with the largest vegetables he grew – such pride in all that hard work.  

Kenny’s G’pa John Knapp, Pap-Pap (Kenny’s dad’s dad), died many years ago when Kenny was young in 1993.  Kenny’s fondest memories of him are sitting on his lap, watching All in the Family, and falling asleep together in the chair.  He loved chewing gum; Kenny remembers him chewing Teaberry gum or blue Trident.  Kenny was born on his Pap’s birthday, too.  John, or Jack as many called him, served in the PA National Guard and was activated during the Korean War for about two years.  He worked in the steel mills for many years before he retired.  Our kids now call Kenny’s dad, Pap-Pap.  So special.  

His wife, G’ma Barb Knapp (Kenny’s dad’s mom), passed away a few years back in 2014. She was a wonderful cook and had big family dinners.  In the family she’s famous for her nut rolls, gobs, and pierogi.  Their house sat right next to railroad tracks in PA and Kenny has fond memories of sitting on the back porch watching trains pass.  I imagine this is where his love for trains began.  

Kenny’s Uncle John (Kenny’d dad’s brother) passed away in September of 2013.  He was a veteran too, who voluntarily enlisted in the Army after high school.  He served 3 years on active duty during the Vietnam War but was never deployed to Vietnam.  He was a lover of trains, too, and had elaborate layouts in his basement.  When he died, Kenny was given one of his train engines – such a special remembrance.  

My Uncle DeWayne (my mom’s brother) died in November of 2015.  He worked hard on a farm in north-eastern NE.  He always seemed rough and tough to me as a child, but always had a hug hello and had a wonderful laugh.  

My G’pa Robert Goodwater (my mom’s dad), passed away in November of 2005.  G’pa & G’ma lived and worked on a farm and raised their family there.  G’pa was always loving to all of his family.  He loved playing cards, eating ice cream, and gathering his large family together for holidays.  I have such wonderful memories of road trips driving to their house across the state of NE.  We loved staying at their house and I’m so glad Kenny and our kids have memories of visiting there as well.  

His wife, G’ma Delores Goodwater (my mom’s mom), passed away this month on May 8th.  She lived for six years at the house we all fondly remember after G’pa’s death and then lived in an assisted living apartment for the past six years.  G’ma loved well and gave great hugs. She loved caring for her flowers, eating ice cream, and having the whole family at her house.  

G’pa & G’ma Goodwater had seven children (my mom is the youngest), 30 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren.   G’ma’s funeral a few weeks ago was a wonderful reunion of many in this large family.  Such a sight to see their legacy sitting in the church, remembering her life.  

While in NE a few weeks ago, we stopped to see Kenny’s great-grandfather’s grave – Archie’s dad, Oscar Weatherly.  He served in the Army during World War I.  He’s buried in Grand Island, NE at the Veteran’s Home Cemetary.

James and Anna accompanied us to the hospital to see several of these people before they passed.  Over the years we’ve spent many, many hours as a family sitting in hospital rooms with our extended family, being with the one who was close to death.  Several years ago when Archie passed and we first made the decision to have the kids with us, some of our friends questioned that decision.  But in the end, we’re so glad we included the kids in this special time.  It was important for them to be with the family, lighten the mood in the way only children can, and to witness this hard part of life.  Mourning the loved one as a family, then thanking God that they are now in heaven.  Death is no longer a scary unknown to the kids, and for that we’re grateful.  

This Memorial Day we remember all of our grandparents, and these aunts and uncles, and are so thankful for the way they’ve impacted and shaped our lives.