A thank you to our Mothers

Don & Muriel Simonson

 

Don held by his mother	Muriel held by her mother

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Muriel's Mother was born on March 29, 1896 at Soudan, Minnesota at her Aunt's home which is now the parsonage of the Baptist Church. Her parents were John 94, 1961 & Emma 78, 1948 Edblom, they had homesteaded near Cook in the year of 1894. She was number three of ten children. Muriel's parents were Peter 64.1961 & Hulda 72, 1969 Anderson, she was their second child, Hulda was 41 years, nine months and 26 days old when Muriel was born on January 24, 1938. Muriel's parents had been married eleven and a half years when Muriel was born in Virginia, Minnesota. She has one older sibling; Hartley who died on October 1, 2007 at the age of 77. Muriel's mother passed away on January 16, 1969 at the age of 72.   My Mother was born on March 19, 1918, at Grantsburg, Wisconsin on the family farm. Her parents were Ernest 81, 1965 & Minnie 81, 1969 Anderson. Mom was number six of 11 children. I was their first child. Mom was 18 years, three months and two days old when I was born on June 21, 1936. My parents; Jesse 78, 1989 & Norma Simonson, had been married for a year and a half when I was born at Grantsburg, Wisconsin. I have three younger siblings; Jerry, Duane and Mike. Duane died on September 9, 2007 at the age of 68. Mom passed away on September 15, 2007 at the age of 89..

Now that we are grandparents we better understand what motherhood is all about. Our mothers were always there for us. Our mothers are the most important person we know, our fathers had important places in our lives but no one can replace a mother. We are most thankful for our Godly Mothers and we love and respect them more each day. Thanks for the memories!

Our parents at our wedding,  June 22, 1957

Muriel's parents; Peter, Hulda  ~  Muriel &  Don  ~ Don's parents; Norma, Jesse

 Looks like you could be brothers

Don and Leslie

We have lost three of our family members in the past three weeks

My name has been listed in three obituaries in the past three weeks, as a survivor.

On September 9, 2007, my brother Duane age 68 passed away, on September 15 my Mother age 89 died, then on October 1, 2007 my brother-in-law Hartley Anderson age 77 died.

We knew Duane's days were numbered as his Leukemia had come back for the third time. He had survived nine years with this blood disease but this time it came with a tumor on the brain which caused him a problem in walking, talking and headaches. He had treatments to shrink the tumor which gave him some relief.  He was told they could not treat the cancer this time and that he had a couple of months to live. This gave him time to think about his relationship with the Lord. He was fortunate as some people do not have time to accept Christ as their Savior.

Mom had spent the last 11 years of her life in the nursing home as she was not able to live alone. Her death certificate states she had Dementia. Mom was always concerned she would loose her memory as her mother had. It became harder to visit with Mom these past years as it was like she had already passed on but was still around. Mom was so fortunate as a young girl to have been invited to the attend the old Wood River Baptist Church Sunday School near her home at Grantsburg, Wisconsin. She walked with the Lord the rest of her life. She was a wonderful caring Mother. She was always there, no matter what time I got up she was making breakfast or baking. When ever I came home she was there. She gave her whole life to her family. I can not remember her complaining about anything. She made a wonderful home for my Father and us four boys. It was hard being with her these past years. We were called to the nursing home the day before she died. What a blessing when she passed on.

My wife Muriel's brother Hartley Anderson's death was a bit more unexpected. We visited him and his wife Dorothy on September 10th as Muriel wanted to see him one more time before she left on the 25th to spend a month in New Zealand with our daughter Becky and her family. Hartley really looked poor and Muriel commented after we left him that she wondered if she would ever seen him again. He was making plans to return to his winter home in Florida. His health was declining the past years as he had heart problems, diabetes and then his kidneys shut down. This summer he started Dialyses and it was after spending time at a Duluth hospital having his dialyses that day he came home and died on the porch on the way into the house. Hartley was a great brother-in-law and we enjoyed his friendship for many years.

Life goes on, we lost three of our family and now we have a new life as our daughter Becky and her husband Eric had their fourth daughter on September 12. They live at Christchurch, New Zealand. Being Muriel is there until the end of this month she must feel a far greater loss being so far home and family. It seems when we have good news or not so good news, we want to be together with family and friends.