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Greg posted a condolence
For all of my 50+ years on the planet my Grandma was an influence on my life. When I was a baby Mom and I lived with she and Grandpa the first time my father was stationed overseas to Vietnam. When Dad went to Korea for the first time Mom, my siblings, and I relocated so as to be near Grandpa and Grandma. She helped me celebrate all but a couple of my birthdays. I did my best to help her celebrate as many of hers as possible. I will carry forward many lessons that my Grandma taught me. Love of family, independence, practicality, enjoyment of every day joys – these are the things I will remember most about her. These are the things I hope I carry forward as part of her legacy. Grandma’s greatest joy was this family you see gathered here today. As long as she could possibly manage it she hosted family gatherings, even if it was just green soup, a salmon log, and homemade cookies. Going to others’ special occasions was a joy she anticipated for weeks ahead of the event. Until very recently she remembered everyone’s birthdays with at least a card. That is no mean feat given the number of birthdays this meant tracking. She was focused on family, but counted many as family regardless of blood relationship. Even as her memory and vision became less dependable in recent months, pictures of family events would light her up. At times she struggled to remember who I was, but if I got her talking about family she would recount family stories and ask about the latest news about grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She sought to be independent, but was always a pragmatist, first. Over the last several years watching her lose her independence little by little was hard for me. It says something about her, though, that at each transition point it was typically she who started the next–steps conversations. The almost year and a half she spent at My Family was hardest for her in terms of having to give up control of day-to-day things, but she did eventually manage to adjust and cope with a degree of grace I don’t know that I could manage. I think Grandma saw enjoying and sharing the daily joys in life as of key importance. She got great joy from sharing every little treat. (I credit her with teaching me the phrase, “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!”) For my entire life anyone coming into her home was offered awesome homemade cookies. Grandma made hundreds of teddy bears, possibly thousands of needlepoint ornaments, giving nearly every one to someone as a gift! I absolutely love Grandma’s mindset of combined frugality and everyday joy in the little things. Grandma was the first up from Thanksgiving table because those turkey bones absolutely had to get turned into soup, even if it wasn’t her house, her kitchen! I cannot tell you how many times I watched her put a single spoonful of something away in the refrigerator. While she hated wasting anything, she was also looking for the added extra pleasure that often came later. Leftover turkey made fabulous sandwiches the next day, extra fruit could become ice cream. Grandma could never walk by without picking up the penny on the sidewalk. Grandma taught me young that every little thing counts. You don’t know when even a pile of pennies might be important. I think this taught me early to notice little things around me. I credit her with my ability to find truly beautiful moments every day, precisely because I am looking for them.
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Mathew Cross posted a condolence
I have so many great and wonderful memories of Aunt Elma. Certainly, there are the holidays when the "Mathews" children would celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas; of course us kids had to sit at the kids table. It was amazing how many people would fit inside the trailer home in Colorado Springs during the holidays; if the weather was nice enough, the kids would always go outside after having dinner. I look back on the camping trips that our families would take together; weekends spent fishing at a nearby lake or reservoir-the "sisters" always stayed together. Always a good time spent together in the outdoors. When Aunt Elma and Uncle Floyd moved away from Colorado Springs, I was saddened; I understood why they moved and moving to Arizona seemed so far away back then. Time went by and by chance my work brought me to the Phoenix, AZ area; some would not consider Phoenix nearby, but I did and whenever my schedule allowed I would travel to Tucson to see Aunt Elma. We would spend a couple hours talking and catching up on what was going on with each of our families; her small apartment was perfect for those conversations. She would show me her latest project, a new needlepoint item or an afghan; I was always amazed at how easy she made it appear to do those projects. I, like Elizabeth received many needlepoint Christmas ornaments; I especially like the needlepoint first name initials she made for my family. Those initials hang on a wall in my home for all to see. One of the largest projects she took on was a wool afghan that she made for my daughter Amanda; the wool came from a coat she could no longer use so she made an afghan. At the time, Amanda was in Maine attending college and kept the afghan close on those cold Nor'easter nights. That same afghan is now displayed in Amanda's new home in North Dakota (why does she pick such cold states to live in!); a reminder of her great-aunt Elma. Then of course there are the bears. Cindy and I keep ours in our room near a picture of great-grandma and grandpa Rounds; Amanda keeps her in her room at her house as well-Amanda loves bears and especially Polar Bears. Connection? When I was no longer able to travel to Arizona, I would call Aunt Elma and we would just chat while I drove home from work; I had to make sure it was not during Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. It was a way to stay in touch and share stories. I will miss Aunt Elma. I can only imagine what the reunion was like for the Mathews kids-the aunts, uncles, cousins, husbands, and wives. Aunt Elma for me was the last connection to a generation disappearing quickly. Peace be with you Aunt Elma Mathew Cross
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Elizabeth Manninen posted a condolence
I will always be grateful for the influence my grandmother's life had on mine and the legacy she passed down to all of us privileged enough to part of her family. I see her intelligence, strong faith, love and commitment to family, and love of adventure and travel reflected in so many of us. I will always be grateful I was allowed to accompany her to Prince Edward Island and for the willingness everyone showed to help us make the trip. Some of my fondest childhood memories are centered around Thanksgivings and Christmas’ spent with her. I will cherish the memories of Christmas Eve at her tiny apartment with way too many of us trying to squeeze in to celebrate with her. I was blessed to celebrate most of my Christmas’ with her and her love of the holiday is reflected in the numerous ornaments, needlepoint decorations and angels she gifted me. I am so grateful for those happy memories. I have an affinity for split pea and ham soup, butterscotch meringue pie (grandpa should probably get the credit for this one) and mint surprise cookies because of my grandmother. My home is filled with homemade teddy bears and beautiful and intricate needlepoint pictures she gifted me with. I have boxes filled with cards and letters from her, many written in green pen and am so glad she never tired of keeping in touch by snail mail. There are also a lot of pictures of grandma laughing with my mom, another thing I am incredibly grateful for, the friendship they shared and the joy it brought to my mom's life. My life reflects her independence, love of the outdoors and travel, fishing and most importantly her faith. The legacy she left through just her grandkids and great grands is truly amazing but I know she influenced so many more lives outside of the family. I am very, very, proud to be the granddaughter of such an amazing, smart, strong, independent and committed person. We are all going to miss you terribly grandma, but I know my parents, aunt and grandfather have probably missed you more. I have no doubt the reunion with them, your great granddaughter, grandson and daughter-in-law were at the top of your list once you made it home and included some epic hugs. I have no doubt you heard the words, "well done", as you passed from this life into the next and though I am sad you are gone, I am glad you are finally home. -Elizabeth Manninen
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Dean & Karla Davis Stevens posted a condolence
Aunt Elma was such a talented craftswoman. We still cherish the handmade ornaments, baby hats, sweaters, booties, wall hangings, etc. She could make anything--lampshades, nativity sets, clothes, etc. And what a cook! She was so good to write so many letters. We cherish our memories of the visits to eastern Kansas. Love and prayers, Dean & Karla Davis Stevens
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Gretchen Lofgren posted a condolence
I was Elma's Shepherd at Christ Church UM for many years. I so enjoyed getting to know her when she was still able to attend church. Recent years kept us in touch through cards. A beautiful lady inside and out.
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Ray Fuller posted a condolence
I met Elma at a church lunch given for freshmen from the Air Force Academy in 1959. She and Floyd hosted the cadets, many of whom were away from home for the first time. After lunch we loaded into cars and were given a short tour of Colorado Springs and of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Over the following four years, I was invited many times to share holidays and family events. They also invited several of my Academy classmates who they also claimed as "their boys". We will never forget the annual Turkey Bowl football games we held in a city park on Thanksgiving Day. Alma was my "other Mother" for over 55 years and she treated me like a son. I loved her dearly and she was my "Rock".
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