Grandma Ivy, was Dave's paternal grandmother, the girl's great-grandmother. She had passed away this past week and we had attended her funeral over the weekend. It was another tough weekend or hurdle the girls had to deal with, but once again they pulled through like the great troopers that they are.
One of the first things the girls said when they learned of her passing on was, "why us?", "not again!" and "we can't go through this again." It hurt so much to hear this from them, they are so scared of what is going to happen next. I sat them down to explain that this one (grandma's death) we understand, this one was fair. She was 90 yrs old and had lived a wonderful full life, of kids, grand-kids and great-grand-kids and she had passed away in peace and did not suffer. I know it didn't seem fair because it wasn't fair to have to bury a parent at such a young age as they had to. I don't think this would have had such an impact on them but because of the close proximity of the deaths and having to drudge up all the feelings again, this one didn't seem fair to them.
The girls did wonderful, better than I had expected. I think once they saw her laying there peacefully, it all made sense. It was also really nice and had helped the girls to be surrounded by family again, all the cousins and their grandparents and not to see them all upset, of course people were sad but it was a different sadness.
I also want to extend my deepest sympathies to Rich and Karen, Grandma Ivy was a wonderful woman and I loved her for her values, and that she loved all of her family and was involved with everyone, even down to the great-grandkids. I know a lot of people aren't close or weren't close to the great-grandparents, but Grandma Ivy was different, she wanted to get to know everyone of her "kids" and I know our girls loved that about her. and let me tell you, there are many grandkids and even more great grandkids, she had remembered all of their birthdays and had made a point to have sent cards and not to have every forgotten any one of them.
I know the girls are going to particulary miss the pear picking extravaganza they did with her at her house every year and the pizza at Breaddeaux after church when they went to visit the grandparents for the weekend in Fort Madison. Also in behalf of Jessie, who kept nudging me (several times) during the wake service to stand up to say something, which I didn't because I'm not much on public speaking and making a spectacle of myself, I wanted to add that, the time the girls spent with Grandma Ivy had meant a lot to them and that Dave had also talked on numerous occasions of his passion and learning to crochet was from her. Dave did teach the girls to do some basic crocheting, which I hope Grandpa will continue to teach them to do more of the intricate things like their dad learned from Grandma Ivy.
We will miss her dearly but will not forget what she had passed on to each and everyone of us.
God Bless,
Kim and the girls
This entry is from my grandma and grandpa. we had to correct something. thanks for reading.
"We would like to thank so many people for all you did for David when he was sick.
We are so grateful to Kim for her expertise and time to get this web site going. It has been a wonderful way for us to know more about David's friends.
Many thanks to Billie and Tim and everyone else on 4JPWest who helped take care of David at the hospital. Thanks to Jim and Bonnie from hospice, the Catholic lay worker, Marilyn, who prayed and visited with David on his frequent visits to the hospital - especially for being with us when he died.
So many wonderful people came to see David, and prayed with us- Rita was an absolute angel. and Heather for her little stops with goodies. We appreciate Barb, for taking care of David in her home and being at the hospital with us.
The Muscatine Walgreen staff and Steve, the store manager , were so kind to us and David.
It was a real adventure, cleaning David's apartment (he saved EVERYTHING). Many thanks to my sister, Linda. to Sharon, Heather, Barb and her family, who helped us through the rough spots.
We do so appreciate all the beautiful cards and masses you had said for David, also the flowers, food and for the money so many of you sent for the memorials.
Thirty-four years ago, David was a brand new baby boy, born December 26, 1969. He truly was a gift from God, to us, as is our other son, Patrick. But David is now returned to God. We miss him very much. We have to believe because God gave us Jesus, His One and Only Son, that someday we will see David again.
Rich and Karen Kokjohn"
