Dorothy J. Strawn - Her Way

My mother passed away January 6, 2015.

Many of you know she was in declining health in a nursing home.

Her parting gift to my sister and me was a total plan of her funeral.

(and it was paid for!!!)

She had even written her own obituary.

What a beautiful service it was.

My mom wanted this quilt on her casket.

She made it and won Best of BLUE at the Iowa State Fair in 2005.

I was really pleased with the flowers put together to stand with it.

A big shout out to my cousin Debbie and her husband Ken for an amazing arrangement singing The Lords' Prayer.

Another shout out to Pastor John, the Chaplain at St. Luke Lutheran Home.

The message included a parable about a mother.

"Your Mother is always with you.  She is the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.  She's the smell of bleach on your freshly laundered clothes.  She is the cool hand on your brow when you are not well.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter.  She's crystallized in every teardrop.  She's the place you came from, your first home and she is the map you follow with every single step you take.  She's your first love, and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you.  

Not time, not space - and not even death." 

(Edited from an article 1933 Good Housekeeping Magazine)

We take many of my mother's qualities with us. 

She was very creative - always sewing, quilting, knitting and more.

She was very giving - volunteer hours piled up everywhere in her community.

She was very strong - from Danish decent and a widow for 30 years.

She was a hard worker - serving Clay County as the Recorder for 20 years.

She had good taste - in furnishings, jewelry, clothing & friends!

She liked to shop for a good bargain - time and time again!!

 

Do any of these things sound familiar???

Yes, Mother, we will carry on in your absence.

We will miss you.

Rest in Peace.

Thanks to our friends and family.  Love you!