It has been just over a month since the passing of our dear Grandma Elizabeth. Here is a farewell post.
Seth's Grandmother Elizabeth had been hospitalized for an infection. We were able to visit her on Thursday, the 17th of October, just after her admission. We had a nice enjoyable visit and it seemed that she would just be hospitalized overnight.
Friday was Emmet's birthday and we stayed home but on Saturday we knew that Grandma was still hospitalized and we drove in for a visit in the morning. We said our good-byes again, not knowing that it would be the last time we'd see her alive on earth.
We're glad we took time to visit Grandma as much as we did.
On early Sunday morning, Grandma entered the gates of heaven. She saw Jesus and her family members who have gone on before her. While we mourn on earth, we rejoice in the promise of heaven. While we grieve our days without her, we have comfort in knowing she's in a much better place. While we'd like to have more moments with her, we know that she had 96 years of moments on earth and the Lord has called her home.
A few photos from the funeral visitation (or "vegistation" as Eden kept saying) and the funeral.
On display at the visitation were several of Grandma's cross-stich wall hangings. Two or three were of her favorite hymns. Truly a keepsake of her handiwork!
Grandma loved red roses. The funeral program was designed by Paul and included several red roses.
"Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Proverbs 31:28-31
The girls wore these hats to the visitation and funeral. They are two hats from Grandma Elizabeth's collection of hats. A nice tribute to their Great-Grandmother.
After two hours of shaking hands with visitors, we had the chance to enjoy supper with some of Arlin's cousins who traveled from out of state.
Ellie enjoyed following Eden around.
Aunt Beth passed out the candy to the Great-Grandchildren. This is the candy that Grandma wanted purchased well in advance so that she would have some to pass out at Maple Ridge's Trick-or-Treat night.
The memorial pillow with 10 tiny red roses to commemorate the Great-Grandchildren: 5 Great-Granddaughters and 5 Great-Grandsons.
When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
- Refrain:
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
- (Verse 1 of "My Savior First of All" sung by the congregation. A fitting visualization of Grandma's first days in glory).
Gloria Nollen led the prayer service and the funeral. She read from Psalm 139, an important passage to Grandma. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (verse 14).
Michelle played the organ at the funeral.
During the funeral, there was a chance for the grandchildren to get up and say a few words. Seth, Haley & Renee and Michelle all chose to say a few words. At first, Seth wasn't sure what to say. Then he had an idea . . . who better to speak at Grandma's funeral than Grandma herself. When Seth was on the wheat harvest in 1997, he and Grandma wrote letters to one another. And we still have them. So he read from those. It was touching, personal, humorous and reflective at the same time.
There were letters about the bluebird nests. . . . about the cattle work being done. . . . about the cousins spending the night. . . . notes about the weather. . . . precious words that they were praying for Seth.
Michelle shared some nice memories about what she's learned from Grandma and what she's going to do with that knowledge.
The congregation sang "My Savior First of All". Brian sang, accompanied by Amanda, "We Shall Behold Him".
During the message, we were encouraged to be students of God's Word, like Grandma was. She had a passion for memorizing scripture and always knowing where a verse can be found. In fact, this summer when my children were in the local Bible Quiz, Grandma wanted to borrow the questions for the week to make sure she knew them all! So, even at 96, she was interested in her Great-Grandchildren, she was studying the Bible AND making sure her family was learning the Bible. A precious memory for sure.
A picture of Arlin's "Heuky" Van Heukelom cousins. Three of them are Arlin's double cousins because their mom and dad were brother AND sister to Elmer & Eizabeth.
Emmet, John, Ephraim and Mark at the lunch reception.
Aunt Jennie sharing a few words with Arlin. Jennie was married to Elmer's brother.
Some of the beautiful flower arrangements.
The plaque in the middle and the plant on the right are from my parents, sister and her family. The plant with the yellow bow in the front was from our Bible study group.
"Let not your hearts be troubled. . . .In my Father's house are many rooms . . . And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself . . ." John 14: 1-6. A very important verse to Grandma in her last days. And it was read a couple of times at the funeral and burial.
Elizabeth is laid to rest beside her husband Elmer and his parents. Renee played Amazing Grace on her flute and it was a fitting tribute to Grandma who loved that hymn and many others.
Grandma and Grandpa will be spending their first Christmas in Heaven, together.
We came home with the plants from our friends and nice bouquet of roses from the flower spray on Grandma's casket.
(I took other pictures of the funeral and visitation. If any extended family are interested in seeing those, just let me know. I was to be able to send them on to several family members who are far away and could not attend).
