Memorial Scholarship

Twenty-three years ago after my mother passed, her boss, Frederic Eberlein set up an outstanding 8th grader award along with a scholarship.  He put enough money in the fund to last for 20 years. It's been given out for 23 years with enough left for one more year.

The criteria are as follows:
1. Student has displayed and demonstated a positive attitude, cooperative, considerate, courteous.
2. Character:  willingness to follow rules, dependable, truthful, punctual.
3.  Outstanding within their own dimensions regardless of ability or disability.
4.  Academic achievement commensurate to one's ability.
5.  Involement in extra-curricular activities.

This is voted on by the staff.

Mr. Klopke always presented the award when he was still working at school.  Since his retirement, I have been asked if I would like to present this award.  Over the past several years I  have taken this responsibility with great joy.  The funds in the account are low and my husband and I are considering funding it for many more years.  In fact, if we do that, I'd like to add my dad's name to the scholarship as he was a local hard-working businessman.

It fills my heart to know that someone thought enough of my mother's work ethic to name an award and a scholarship for her.  I think that is a testament to her character.

Excitement!

 Back in December when we were interviewed by Elder Scott, our area Seventy, to be extended the calling as Area Temple and Family History Advisors, I will admit I had my reservations.  I sat and listened to him describe the calling (He wasn't too sure what it all involved, or so it seemed.)  I knew it was something I had no desire to do and didn't know how I could tell a Seventy "no."  Since my husband had alread accepted, I didn't feel I had much choice.  Besides, I have covenanted to do whatever I can to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth.

In the past 6-8 weeks, I have discovered that I can add memories to my family search page and those of my relatives.  I've gone crazy!  I've uploaded more than 150 photos and stories and documents.  I started with obituaries since they tell a story.  Then I started with photos and finally stories.

I feel that finding these people's names is really important.  But just as important is finding out who they were.  Pictures tell a lot of stories.

 Cards and letters tell an even greater story.  I spent several hours typing people's words from their condolence cards into my parents' memories.

 Anyone who takes the time to look and read will find out that my dad was a kind, gentle, generous man with a heart as big as all outdoors.

 You'll find out that my mother was a woman of great testimony and who loved to serve.  Mostly anonymously.  She loved and cherished others.

 You will find out that others looked up to and wanted to be like them.  This is a marvelous legacy they have left for their posterity.  Now the grandchildren will have place to get to know these wonderful people.

 Once I feel I'm finished with them, I will go on to my grandparents.  I've actually started a little there as well.

 I wrote my own conversion story after I typed one of my mother.  I I researched her conversion by speaking with my dad and my uncle as well as the missionaries who taught her.  I wish it were her own words instead of mine but I don't have them.  What's worse is that I know nothing of my own father's conversion.  He was here and I never asked him.

As we meet with the stake presidencies and high counselors over family history, I am inviting them to write their conversion stories as well as the courtship with their wife and about their missions.  The Lord has commanded that we keep records and this is one way of doing it.

My husband has been bitten by the research bug and I have been bitten by the memory bug.  It is truly exciting!