Friday, April 11, 2008

Marion Lee

I received a call at 6:15 am from my mom letting me know that my grandpa passed away at 3:30 this morning in the hospital. His congestive heart failure caused his heart to just stop. I am sad. We will no longer hear those long time ago stories. That generation in our family is gone. Grandma passed away unexpectantly of a heart attack 5 years ago in April.

A memorial/visitation will be held Sunday from 2-5 pm in Washington, Missouri. He had already planned long ago to donate his body to SLU.

We decided to tell the older boys after school about great grandpa so they can process the information over the weekend with us.
Please pray they process his death well. Cole internalizes things. Carter wears his emotions on his sleeve. I am concerned about both.

I am just sad. Grandpa was like a father to me. He came home early from work to immobilize my arm after I broke it at his home on Purina Farms. I even cut wood with him in the back woods of the farm. I had a competition with him on who could carry the heaviest log to his truck. I have wonderful childhood memories. I am thankful I had so many years (into adulthood) with my grandparents. It is a blessing.


Today has been a day of rememberance. I look forward to digging into pictures for his Sundday memorial later.

Marion Lee Johnson was a grandpa who loved me. He will be missed.

kate

14 comments:

Sue and Robert Stark said...

I'm so thankful you have those precious memories...he sounds like he was an such a wonderful grandpa!

I pray you'll all find comfort at this time...laughter amidst the tears.

In His Grip,
Sue Stark

OKGardners said...

So sorry to hear of your Grandpa's move to heaven. However, remember that he is no longer sick or in pain. Praise the Lord!

I'll continue to pray for you, Kate, and for your entire family during this special time of remembrance of a great man... Your Grandpa.

Anonymous said...

Special prayers for you Kate as your remember you special times with Grandpa Marion.
Special prayers to for sweet "Caretaker- Soccer Gram." Hopefully God will grant her some great rest as she has been serving God so gracefully taking care of "Grandpa" and your entire family!
Praying for you!
April Curtis

Anonymous said...

Kate your grandpa will always be with you as he is part of you as you so describe. Though his soul is in the most perfect place- he lives on through you. Hope all goes well with the boys - my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kate,

Hope you got my message. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Erika

Ramona Wicht said...

Sending thoughts and prayers to each of you (Sandy, too). Your family has been through the fire and the valley, and I'm so proud of how you've handled everything. In my opinion, Sandy deserves the caregiver-of-the-year award.

Love you all!

Anonymous said...

Have been praying for the whole family since I heard about your Grandpa's death, Kate. You speak so highly of him...I KNOW he'll be sorely missed. The impressions that some footprints make in your life are so HUGE that they could never be filled...they stay there imprinted in your mind and on your heart forever--a gift of remembrance of a man who loved his family, his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren so... Praying for your mom and aunt especially today, too. Hugs. Laura Joback

Anonymous said...

Kate,
I am so saddenned to hear of your Grandpa. I have good memories of him too with your Grandma. At least it is comforting to know that they are together again. Give your mom and family my deepest sympathies.

God be with you!
Gina

Anonymous said...

I, too, had a loving and wonderful day-to-day relationship with my grandfather. I helped him feed his horse, followed him step-by- step as he mowed his lawn with an old push-type mower. I tinkered with him as he sharpened the blades of that old mower, oiled it, and took perfect care of that mower. He sharpened and tended to my childhood memories we made and my life was much fuller and richer because of him. So you see, I know your feelings exactly. Sadness now will evolve into lifetime memories for you and you will find comfort in knowing that he is with our heavenly Father. I am sorry to say that I do not have that assurance about my grandfather. I have always hoped that he made that eternal decision in his last days, though we were not aware of that decision. He had gone to church regularly during his life, but that did not gain heaven for him, we know. Wishing comfort for your family during this sad time.

Danielle in MO said...

Kate - sorry to hear about your Grandpa - but what wonderful stories to share with your kids.... remember the good times.. will keep you in my prayers.... Danielle

Midwest Nest said...

So sorry to hear about your grandpa. Prayers for your family. Also, prayers for you as you discuss this life event to your young boys.

OKGardners said...

Here's hoping you are doing well this week. I miss hearing from you and just wanted to tell you that.

Still praying EVERY day for your healing & recovery.

Betty in Oklahoma

Anonymous said...

I am sorry for your loss, yet thankful you chose to share about it in your blog. It reminded me of all the wonderful memories I have of my grandpa. I can't drink a root beer even today and not think of him and smile. Grandparents are a true treasure and a precious gift from above! Those memories will never go away and you are blessed to have probably too many to count.
We will keep you and your family (especially the boys) in our prayers as you mourn the loss of your precious grandpa.

Always in our prayers,
the Andersens

Anonymous said...

Kate - Ramona told me about your Grandpa's passing. I tear up reading these messages because even to this day I so miss both of my cherished Grandpas who went to Heaven when I was in 6th grade, then 8th...so long ago. Yet, I can still hear both of their voices and remember the happy feelings that both of them created for me. So what a gift we've been given and that you had in your life for so long...that your 3 sons and your husband could meet him and know his love. That is awesome. I pray that in your sorrow, the happy times will shine through and now and in the future when you think of him you'll remember good times and lots of LOVE! My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Blessings, Stacy J.