Page created by: Hannah Eilers

It is the rare and wonderful occurrence to be blessed with a relationship that transcends the norm, that makes you feel like the most loved and important person on earth, and that leaves you with a gaping hole in your heart when they are taken way too soon. Because my Grandma was so important to me and made such an impact on my life it is important to me to include her and remember her as a part of my wedding. Joe never got to know Grandma but he does know how much she means to me so he can’t help but love her too.

I carry her name in my middle name and I carry her imprint on my heart and in my life. When I think about her I smile, and sometimes just laugh out loud. To know her was to love her. She was much admired by everyone that knew her for her giving and compassionate spirit and her love for family and friends. Mostly she was known for her love of God and she was definitely His hands and feet on this earth.

Some of my fondest memories are of the times we all used to sit around her kitchen table talking all day. Anyone was welcome at Grandma's house, as long as they were willing to play a game of Yahtzee or Uno.

Her doors were always open and you never knew who you might find at her table drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet tea, but you could be sure there would be lots of laughter and sometimes tears. No matter how long I stayed at her house (even a full weekend), every time I left she said "Well I wish you would just spend the night"

One thing is for sure, Grandma knew the way to keep us happy was to keep our bellies full. Grandma's pantry was like shopping in the little Debbie aisle at the grocery store.

Grandma had such a strong and resilient spirit. After Pa passed away she continued to love on her family, friends and church and often she would be found in the yard working, cutting grass or just taking care of what needs to be done. Grandma loved her grandchildren (and nieces and nephew) fiercely. She always wanted things to be fair with the grandkids. Sometimes I stopped by and she would give me $20. I'd say what's this for? She'd say something like "well I gave Ikey $20 last week".

I could go on all day about the wonderful, loving and funny Christian woman she was. It has been the heartbreak of my life that her candle was snuffed out way before her time. Parkinson’s is a disease that steals the essence of the person long before the body follows. It is our desire that you help us honor her memory and fight for the lives of others afflicted by this horrible disease by giving to this foundation in lieu of wedding presents. We would love nothing more than to be a part of finding a way for families to hang on to their loved ones so they could actually be a part of a day such as this.