Grandma Bertha Dies
My aunt Karon called mom a couple times yesterday letting her know that grandma was ill again. She wasn’t doing well. Dad was in Winnipeg for the OSL conference. Karon called again this morning. Mom decided she would drive to Jamestown after the wedding this afternoon.
At 12:30 I drove mom to the church. Mom was thinking out loud, about how she could leave early, and how she could find a vehicle. I told her, “After I drop you off I’ll check with Victor. If he can help me out, I’ll come back with the keys.”
Victor was home with Arlene. I was just in time for they were making plans. “I need some help.” Victor volunteered right away. I tried calling mom. I helped Victor with his little photo project. Arlene asked about mom’s wedding. Arlene is also a wedding coordinator but at Good Shepherd. I told her, “Mom is thinking of leaving early. Michael the organist can take care of everything once the wedding starts.”
I tried calling mom again- no answer. Victor followed me over to First Lutheran. It’s only a couple blocks away. I gave mom the keys. She had the phone in her supply basket and couldn’t hear it. Mom got Becky, the other First Lutheran wedding coordinator, to take over the wedding.
Victor and I went to lunch. Vic asked about my grandma. I told him I was concerned but she had gone through a couple episodes like this before and had pulled through. He dropped me off at my class before leaving to meet his cousin Curt in Hawley. He picked me up after the class. Mom called me at 5:00- she was too late. Grandma died this afternoon, shortly after mom left the church. They kept Grandma in her room until mom arrived and could say her goodbyes.
Grandma Bertha went quickly. Nathan told me he got the call from his mother, Karon. He went outside to get his father, David. Bertha didn’t hang on long enough for Nathan and David to get across town. Mom stayed overnight. I called Suzanne to give her the bad news. We talked about it for a while but there wasn’t much to say. She was a warm, fun, and happy woman who loved her family, and we loved her. She will be sorely missed.
