GRANDPA LEMKE March 15, 1919 - March 13, 2009

GRANDPA LEMKE March 15, 1919 - March 13, 2009

My Grandpa Lemke passed away in March, 2 days before his 90th birthday :(
We knew it was coming, he had been sick for a couple of months and in and out of the hospital... but it was still so hard to take. My parents had already planned a trip out to Wisconsin for his birthday so they already had a flight out and said they would help whoever wanted to come. So of course I jumped on it, cause I really felt like our family should be represented there. So after looking at tons of flights, Me, Gina, Amanda and Jared all got a flight out to Wisconsin. Paul had just arrived home from California and couldn't make it. (We missed having him there with us!)
I really loved my grandpa and will miss him dearly. My only regret is not being able to see him more. Living so far away made it difficult to truly be close with him. The times we did visit, or that he came to visit us were always such a good time though. I will remember it well.
Grandpa was such a fun loving guy, and it makes me realize just where my dad got all of his sense of humor and fun personality from... they are alike in so many ways. I will always remember that about my grandpa, he was always smiling and goofing off. He had a love for bowling and golf and was known as "Geno". My dad's mom had passed away at a young age and he has been without her for I believe it was 37 years? I know they are together again and that makes me so happy!! We love you and will miss you so much grandpa!



When we got to Wisconsin we had to have my parents favorite pizza, NEDS! Mmm, it was so yummy and so much fun to spend time with my family.


Of course we had to hit our FAVORITE frozen custard spot.. KOPPS! Literally the best you will ever have :)


This was the night before the funeral, we went to my aunt Paulette's and helped put picture boards together.


In these two pictures we are in my Grandpa's house, the first, Amanda is showing off her 20 weeks belly! The picture below is all of us with Grandpa.. (literally, I swear the spot in the middle by his picture is Grandpa there with us.. jared.. it's not a thumb print! haha)





This is right after the funeral, putting the casket in the car.


These were the soldiers outside... SO COOL, they shot off gunshots for grandpa and it was the neatest experience. I think every funeral should have this even if they didn't serve! :)



My dad :) I love this picture of him.


Right before they gave this flag to my dad...
which was one of the best moments for me, when they handed it to my dad and did this little ceremonial thing... I am pretty sure it's the first time I have ever seen my dad cry... which in turn made me BAWL!


My dad after receiving the flag



They have everyone splash holy water onto the casket at the end and you then get to take a flower from the top.


This is my mom and Amanda with my grandpa's sister Doris



Jared, mom, dad and Rachel



My dad and his aunt Doris