Grandpa Edward                                                                                                                       July 18, 2016

How do you say just a few words about someone you love, after 94 years of life? What is one word I would say that describes Grandpa best? I guess I would have to choose the word:

GRIT: You’ve heard the saying “when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on” – well Grandpa did just that, in the way he lived, and in the way he died.  His German blood has some stubborn roots, but I think God gave him that heritage to be a true survivor in the toughest of times. He was raised in a tough time in our world (The Dirty 30’s, World War 2 ) –he was drafted and sent to serve our country, and not too far later was medically discharged, narrowly escaping a very young death from gangrene . He became an electrician, came home to help his dad farm, and never stopped farming. Grandpa lived out his adult years on one kidney, and was the breadwinner as a farmer and rancher with a wife and three sons to care for. He worked for the ASC office for 48 years in addition to running the farm. He knew how to work, and he worked hard all his life. Grandpa was also known to be very frugal, and could fix nearly anything with a roll of baling wire.  We all liked to tease a little at how he hated to have to spend money on a repair.  Grandpa was a man that seemed to be made of steel.  It was just the way of things with Grandpa, and he had an undying spirit.

  Being one of only two granddaughters, I was always the girl that wanted to be right in there with the animals. He and grandma always nurtured my interest, encouraging me to go along to the farm with all the men, to be a part of whatever was happening.  I got to help with brandings, ear tagging, vaccinating, fly pouring, calving, separating cattle, feeding, and early on when he still had horses, riding  Bullet and Sam.  Grandpa taught me of the delicate difference between a way of living with animals as your business, and a life – where hard decisions to sell, purchase, save a life, and kill were a part of decision making each day as a Rancher. He showed mercy to his sick and wounded animals in ending their suffering.   He showed his tenderness as I got to ride along to the vet to cast a broken leg of a calf that could not get up. Grandpa would wake at any and all hours of the night to check cattle during calving season, and would spare no more time than absolutely necessary in getting to his herd following a terrible winter storm. 

Grandpa Edward was strong when he needed to be, serious when the situation called for it, incredibly intelligent, funny and witty when it was time to socialize and laugh, and made sure his family and farm were well tended. My dad has said to me “We grew up poor, but we didn’t know it.”  They always ate, had what they needed, had a roof overhead, and lots of love around. Times may have been tough in the early days, but Grandpa built his farm, and his family, very well.   He loved us all, and we knew it. He loved Grandma, and only months after seeing her safely Home, has gone to join her in Heaven.  I am happy that the suffering of his last days has forever ended, and I am forever proud to be his granddaughter. 

We say goodbye for now, Grandpa.   Rest easy, the cattle are home, the harvest is in, and your days’ work is done.

Love you……………..Mandy