A Legacy of Family

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Gramp's (Bernie) death; August 30, 2011. His loss is still keenly felt by us all, but we know that he's in a much better place!

Gramps led a full life with family and friends. He loved fishing, golf, football and baseball.  :) Another one of his hobbies was eating. Gramps loved just about whatever you set before him!

Family: Make it count

Gram and Gramps spent several winters in McAllen, TX. We cherish fond memories of our time spent with them.

Gram and Gramps would drive their camper to our old Persia house and camp out by the second barn. I 

love reminiscing about our sleep overs with them. We'd sit around the table in the morning, chatting, while Gram would mix up the mug of ever present hot chocolate. Gramps would stuff us full of toaster strudels and pop tarts. Those were the days!

Gramps loved coffee! His travel mug was never far from him. Ugh, he grossed us out so bad! He almost never washed his coffee mug!

Gramps loved a good joke! He loved to tell them, but much to our dismay, he'd often forget the punch line!  Oh my, those of you who never heard Gramps laugh are missing out! He had the best laugh. One that, even if you didn't know what the joke was, you'd laugh just because Gramps was! 

He got such a kick out of sticking his false teeth out at us.

 I loved to hug Gramps. He always greeted you with a big grin and "Hi, pumpkin (babe or sweetie too)!" His bristly chin would always rub against my forehead, while the faint smell of cigarette smoke would drift into my nose. I know that might not sound nice to you all, but it was always how my grandpa was!

Gramps hailed from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He had four other siblings, Kent, Lynn, Betty Kay, and Larry.

Gramps passed away peacefully after a long fight with kidney and liver cancer. We miss him a lot, but his legacy lives on through his memories, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

We miss you, Gramps!