Comments, thoughts, and Memories!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Comments, thoughts, and Memories!

Please leave your comments, thoughts or memories below to comfort and share with others. Thank you!

3 comments:

Theresa said...: A beautiful smile has entered into Heaven! They are all rejoicing! Love you all and praying for healing of your hearts! HUGS!; September 18, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Heather said...: she was not my biological grandma, but never ever did she make me feel like anything except her blood grand-daughter! i will forever miss her!; September 18, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Joyce said...: I am so sorry if you are having trouble commenting here. If you are.... please send me your comments and I will post them for you. :#; September 26, 2011 at 4:20 AM

I AM FREE

I Am Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I am following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day.

I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow.

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much.

Good children, good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

A long life, yet all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now to undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me.

God wanted me now, He has set me free.

Words to share from friends and family...

I have finished the Memorial DVD. Over the last week I have very much enjoyed reliving my grandma's life through pictures. I can only dream of having a portion of the love she had in her life. I would love to become a better person for her, a better mother, a better wife, a better sister, a better friend. I imagine that it is not easy, but she sure made it look that way. - Karla Ellis Rogers

My grandma is up in Heaven with Jesus and my grandpa now! Heather Valverde

I'm sad today :( very sad :( :(...Patrick Valverde (great grandson)

DYLAN ROGERS (great grandson):My great grandmother died today. She was a wonderful women who could turn the darkest day to the brightest day. She will always be missed ♥ This song always makes me think of grandma

Elton John - Can you feel the love tonight!

I just want to say mom has been the kindest and most loving mom to me. She was always there when I needed her.
I will miss her smiles and laughter. She is with dad now in a happy place with God. I have my memories and will think of her and dad daily. I love you Mom. Rita

We are so sorry to hear that your mom has passed. She is in heaven with your dad and all her other loved ones. Now they are all keeping an eye on all you kids. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your whole family. Be strong god is on your side. Take Care & talk to you soon. Love the Todd Family, we love you J xoxo

So glad mama didn't have to suffer a long time. Your mom was one of my favorites & all the Peever people were in love with her.

Hang in there-time will heal the spike ends of the nails but the heads will always remain as the good memories. Love from Lois & Richard (Elaine's cousin)

It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences on the death of your mother. She was truly a special lady. Mary Tuff (Niece)

I feel very honored as I get to take part in the celebration of Elaine's life today with you and your family! There is no doubt that she was greatly loved and will truly be missed by all here on Earth!! My prayers are for the ones that remain here left to process not seeing her shining, smiling face regularly until we all are reunited in Heaven! Hugs to all during this time!! Rest in knowing she is running down the streets of gold!! -Christy Oliphant

I have known Elaine forever and she will be missed dearly! Rick Rayment

R.I.P. Grandma Langager! ♥ - Meghan Ellis

To this day I don't think I will ever be able to look at a Maple bar and not think about my Grandma and Grandpa Langager. When I was a little kid my Aunt Lois would babysit my brother and I and with every visit by the Great One's, doughnuts would come with. They quickly earned the name "doughnut grandpa and doughnut grandma" I know I looked forward to seeing the doughnuts just as much as they looked forward to seeing the looks on our faces along with the excitement when they came through the door with those doughnuts. They showed me how to appreciate the little things in life that came that came along with the real treat...seeing them, I wish I appreciated those moments back then the way I would now. I really wish I had the confidence to speak in front of large crowds, even if 90% are family. Rest In Peace Elaine Shirley Marie Langager 9/28/27-9/8/2011. You and Grandpa are happy again. - Ryan Langager

Love you Grandma!!I'll miss you but I know how happy you are now.I love you. - Denise Culton

The Statler Bro - I'll Fly Away

For my Grandma. A beautiful lady who has touched a lot of people with her love.

Pearl Jam - Just Breathe (Live at Austin City Limits)

Ashley Langager Murray: Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.

~Emily Dickinson

Love you and Rest In Peace, Grandma!
9/28/1927-9/8/2011

My Grandma was an amazing woman who could put a smile on any ones face. We will all miss her, but find comfort in the fact that she is happy now and reunited with the love of her life. I love you Grandma, tell Grandpa Hi for me. ♥ Rest easy. ♥ - Brittni Langager Sadlier

Sweet Jesus has a new Angel tonight. I love you Grandma. - Tara Burdyshaw

R.I.P. Grandma Langager- You will be missed. Say "Hello" to Grandpa for all of us. - Brad Burdyshaw

To my grandma Elaine Langager. I love you so much and you have been the best Grandma to me and my family. I'm jealous you get to go see grandpa and our Lord. Know that I will always love you and my wife and children love you the same. Xoxo grams - Ryan Black

Amanda Black: We love you grandma! So happy that You're in heaven with Jesus and grandpa now and are pain free! Praise God! ♥You never let go - Matt Redman

Andrew Black: I love you Grandma! :)

There are so many memories... we will miss her! God bless all, Al & Karen Shelbourn

Our thoughts and prayers to you all - Jeff & Vicky Stoudt

Our love and thoughts are with you...the Minders and Judy & Martin

"Only God can understand the pain of losing your mother, and right now He's by your side holding you in His love"...the Bill Davison family

"Jesus hears the prayers of your heart just as clearly as He hears the prayers others are lifting up for you. The more you need Him, the closer He'll be." Louis and Violet Tuelunbach

The passing of your loved one has saddened the hearts of many and we share in the loss of one so dear. May your fond memories and the caring support of family and friends help you to journey through this sad time. Lori and Rick

"In every memory.... love lives on." Kevin Christie

With thoughts of deepest sympathy to let you know we care. Kim & Dick

Elaine was a dear friend and when she was able, attended our meetings and brought us many happy moments. She will be missed. Judy Fischer and the Women of Faith...Faith Lutheran Church

Your mom was a very special person. She made everyone around feel good. She and I had the same birthday so exchanged cards for a few years. I looked forward to hearing from her. Love Ellie Landmark

My deepest sympathies to your family. She was a sweet, loving and happy person. So enjoyed her at the cafe in Peever. She was happy about everything. I will miss her too. It was so wonderful Lorraine got out to see her. My sympathy, Edith Nigg

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I will always remember how kind and tender she was with you. It was obvious she adored you. She was one of the nicest mothers in the neighborhood. I know your family is very close and will stay solid during this difficult time. Judi Stearns Abernathy

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We always appreciated Elaine's warmth and her special sense of humor. Cliff and Joyce Fiess

My deepest sympathy at the loss of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother. She was truly a best friend, prayer partner, and a very special lady. I know how much she loved each of you. May you continue life's journey in the path she has taught through her example. My prayers always... Phyllis Bauer

Precious Elaine will always remain a true and special friend to us. We have laughed, cried, and prayed together over the years. What a privilege and joy to have been her friend!! We will continue to pray for the family and always keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Loving you all, Don & Faye Hall

Losing your mother so quickly...what a traumatic experience. I pray you know God is with you all the way...He is watching out for you as He does all His children so that can be a comfort for you at this very sad time. I loved your mother. She had the nicest, biggest smile I have ever seen and I am so sorry she is gone. I know she is in the loving arms of Jesus. So take comfort ...your mom is safe and in the very best of hands. But we all will surely miss her. She was such a wonderful Christian lady. Bill & Beth Singer

Please know how much we loved your mother & love you as well! Ron & Sharon Davison

So sorry for the loss of your mother. Praise God we know where she is now. It is still very hard, I know what the death of a loved one means. May God comfort you. May He bring you joy and laughter as you share memories in the days to come. May He be your strength. With love, Jill Fox-Campy and family

You are in our prayers. Her smile is even bigger now in Heaven! We loved her, too. Phyllis & Roger Gunderson (Monetary memorial sent to Humane Society)

"In this time of loss...take comfort in knowing your loved one is now at home with the Lord. Loving thoughts, Rhonda & Bruce Allen, Sean, Hilary & kids Norbisrath & Deannie Stephens

So sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you all! Love, the Cleven family

Your South Dakota family cares & will miss Elaine. I'll never forget Elaine's prayers and letters during my divorce. That meant a lot to me. Aunt Elaine was a hoot. I'm happy I got to know her better when she visited Peever. Kathy & Brian O'Connor

"Memories.... let them fill your mind, warm your heart, and lead you through." Love & prayers... Dorothy & Charlie (Meghan's grandparents)

"She lovingly nurtured you when you were small
and guided you as you grew.
Her attitudes, values, hopes, and dreams
became a part of you.
And though she is gone, her love for you
remains, and always will...
your mother lives on within your hear...
her spirit guides you still.

Hoping the legacy of love your mother left you will be a source of strength and comfort for you now!" Dave & Marcey Brazeau

We sure loved Elaine....she always had a smile and a hug! Glad we got to be with her quite a few times in the last years. Memories and pictures are a blessing. Glad Lorraine got to be with her again for a visit. Sisters are a blessing. Richard and Lois Herniman (cousin)

Always enjoyed having your mom and dad worship with us. We'll make coffee when you "come back". Friends at Peever Lutheran Church

May the Lord be your comfort and strength. May His love sustain you and give you peace for the future. As always, you and Lanny are in our prayers. Love, Nancy & Bob Keller

Your mom was a sweet and kind lady & was always so loving to everyone! Thinking of and praying for you! Love Sandy Lingo Foster

"Mothers teach us to love, to see beauty, to take our place in the world...and to bloom there. Your mother will always live in your heart, in your memories, and in the way you see the world. May you find comfort in her soft presence all around you." We're so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary and Betty Burdyshaw (Donation made to Humane Society)

Words from Douglas Langager

It’s no small stuff, to be an offspring of Leonard and Elaine Langager. The “Love” given and shared to you today is from what has spilled over from our parent’s genuine affection for each other! Because of their love and direction we kids grew up with community support and love. We knew our Aunt Clarice and Uncle Dallas loved us and my parent’s loved their children Bob, Larry, Tom, Dale, Mike and Holly the same! Our parents were raised in South Dakota and the kindred spirit of a Norwegian heritage, and family sprinkled in the prairie of that great state received no less attention of this love.

As for myself, having lived in the Pacific NW! “It’s easy to see God’s beauty in a beautiful sunrise, a snow-capped mountain, the smile of a healthy child or in ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach.” Words found in the book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and it’s all small stuff. The author writes we can learn to find the holiness in seemingly ugly circumstances – difficult life lessons, a family tragedy, or a struggle for life!

Yet! Before the “Love fest” of the 60's and 70's we had our own and it had my parents and God’s fingerprint upon it. Mom’s life was filled with the desire to see the holiness (good) in everyday things. And with that magical things happen. You see; in my mother’s mind she knew that everything has God’s fingerprints on it. Her smile, laugh and service to others but a basic expression of God’s imprint on her. She joins those who have gone before her and it’s a glorious gathering of old friends and loved ones.

In reminiscing about gatherings, let face it any assembly of family was a gathering, on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. having returned from Viet Nam earlier in the year, I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. In the spirit of the holiday I asked my parents can I invite some of my Army buddies to the house for a home cooked meal. I showed up in a Volkswagen bus filled with enough personnel to make any mess hall cook shutter. In the end, all left with stomachs full, and proclaiming they have never felt so welcomed and loved in a household!

Whether you’re members of this large family, a friend or just being introduced and giving respect to Elaine Langager, my mother. Know that God loves you and fingerprint is on us all. Feel the smile, laugh and peace of the expression of God’s imprint upon her.

Know that “The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 7-8;

Karla Ellis Rogers tribute to Grandma and Grandpa

When I was growing up I wasn't super close to my grandparents, not like my own children are to theirs. It's not a better relationship, it's a different one. When I had kids and saw my kids with their grandparents, I realized what I was missing and wanted more. My grandparents had 17 grandchildren. To be one of 17 grandchildren is the very definition of being lost in the crowd. My grandpa would say things that even to this day still make me chuckle. I remember one time I needed to be alone. I had a bad day. I went to the waterfront in Kingston. I don't even remember why exactly because it wasn't as if I hung out there regularly. My grandpa was sitting there in his car. It was like he was waiting there for me. I chatted with him for a bit and he gave me a hug. Sometimes when I'm having a bad day I remember that day and it makes me smile.

My grandma is a role model for me. Her laughter was contagious. I got so many of my personality traits from her, but I could never even compare. You never heard her say a bad word about anyone, and no one ever said anything bad about her. I loved her stories about when she was young. When she told them, her eyes would light up as if she were still there in the moment. I remember when I got married, at my wedding shower everyone had to put a piece of advice on a piece of paper. I only remember my grandma's: "pick your battles." At the time I thought that was silly, because if it's big enough to make me mad, I'm going to fight about it. Well, that has stuck with me for all these years and has saved so many arguments, because truly, they are not all worth it.

My grandparents taught me the true meaning of love, without even realizing it. You could spend just a few minutes with them and you could tell how much love they had for each other. It was well known that their marriage wasn't perfect, but they still had love and that's really the most important thing. They didn't just love each other, they loved everyone who crossed their paths. They forgave easily. Each and every person who married into the Langager family was automatically loved and treated as part of the family, which is why even those who are no longer technically in the family still feel as if they are. My grandma especially loved Joel. He always took special time to sit with her and see how she was doing. He says she likes him so much because he puts up with me. That's probably true as well. Whenever I saw her she wanted to know where he was. I think maybe sometimes she would rather he just show up (kidding...I think).

In preparing for the Memorial DVD, I have frequently been reminded of the love this family has shown each other over the years. It has been often overlooked and taken for granted by everyone except for her. I hope she knew how much she was loved while she was here.

Joyce's words....

My heart is broken. My best friend and mama went home. My heart is rejoicing. Mom is where she wanted to go for the past almost 7 years. My heart is at peace. Mom has no more pain, no more needles, no more walker, no more doctor appointments, no more worried, no more missing daddy, no upcoming kidney dialysis... she is at peace. Why do I feel so numb? Mom wouldn't want us to grieve too long. She would want us to smile and remember her smile and laugh! To think of all the fun times. What can we take from her?
1. Her great sense of humor (her ability to laugh at everything).
2. Her honesty (she didn't have a choice...everything she thought or felt showed on her face!)
3. Her perseverance (She took amazing care of dad...and then took care of herself and dealing with so much pain).
4. Her unconditional love (she loved everyone... no one was unlovable! Her love for us was not based on our performance, what she got from us or didn't get....she just loved!).
5. Her forgiving spirit (she knew life was not worth anger or grudges and forgave and let things go so easy...because she had unconditional love!).
6. Her loyalty (she would defend her loved ones to the end).
7. Her faith (that she loved and lived).
8. Her love of her family (she loved her husband, her children, and all the grandchildren so much! They meant everything to her and her face lit up when she would see them! She looked at all the people her family married as her kids and grandkids too. There was no difference! Once you were in the family.... you were always in the family!

This is what she left us. I pray we can all learn from mom.... that this be her legacy.... that we never forget her example. Love you mama.... forever and ever!

Ever After

She touches me with cards

and words, just right.

He chuckles deep

and wraps me in a hug.

Together they live life

simply and with humor.

Unpretentious woman, unpretentious man.

Rich in love, rich in family.

Contented.

Two, yet one, they live

hand in hand,

had heart-to-hearts,

Gone head-to-head

And stayed together.

I envy them

their fifty years.

My aunt, my uncle--

Hand in hand,

Heart to heart,

Two, together.

With love,
June

(June wrote this for her Uncle Leonard and Aunt Elaine's 50th anniversary. Beautiful for today, too)

Elaine Lohre Langager 9/28/27 - 9/8/11

Sunday, September 18, 2011