Kay

I was blessed with the best mother-in-law I could have ever imagined.  Kay was spunky and independent and practical.

She knew the challenges of raising a family on limited income.  Therefore she often shared her commodity food with us.  

Once we had children, there was always rummage sale finds and thrift store goodies that came to our home.  A lot of clothing for the children plus some other "things" that included toys, games or decor.

Anytime we would visit, she would always pull out chips & dip, cheese & crackers and pickles and whatever else she could find in her fridge.  She was the best!

When we arrived home from our mission in 2021, we asked Pat to help her get her "affairs in order."  We got on Legal Zoom and created all the documents she would need.

It wasn't any too soon as only a few months later she had the onset of dementia and it took off like a rocket following an emergency surgery.  Six weeks after that surgery she was living at Oak Haven assisted living facility.

Pat visited her most every week day.  At first she hated it there but as the dementia progressed it was different.  She had some days/nights where she was combative but those were not the norm.

At the end, she did not recognize any of her children.  She knew Pat was the nice man who came to visit her but did not recognize him as her son.  Still, she had some great delusions that kept us entertained.    

On April 9th, in the late afternoon or early evening she finally slipped through the veil.  What a blessing for all of us but especially her!

A funeral at the Swedberg funeral home with mostly family was held.  Pat was the officiant and gave a sweet message.  Jon Crowe's son played his guitar and sang "Amazing Grace".  It was phenomenal!  Evelyn sang the song that she had requested and even when the phone quit playing the music she finished strong.  It was only about half an hour but wonderful.  One of the nephews who was to be a pall bearer didn't show so Brock stepped in for him.

Carole, a niece, gave a prayer at the graveside.  A meal was provided at the church building in Shawano afterward.  When all was cleaned up we went back to the cemetery where Andrew dedicated her grave with just our immediate family in attendance.  It was a sweet and tender time. 

On May 30th and 31st, our family went to the temple in St. Paul where Adam baptized Evelyn as proxy for Kay.  She was then confirmed by Pat.  Erin was proxy for the initiatory ordinance where I was able to perform two parts of it.  During that time I had an extraordinary experience where I knew that Kay was okay with being sealed to Pete Pleshek.  I couldn't have asked for a bigger sign!  Clare was proxy for the endowment and then we all headed to the large sealing room where Pat sealed Kay to her parents and then sealed Kay to Pete.  President Foote came in and sealed Pat to his parents afterward.  Sammi and Andrew were proxy for most of that.  

Eternal families are what God's plan is all about.  We had a truly celestial day!