Grandma Doc's Eulogy

Grandma Doc passed away at 2:45pm Saturday, October 9. I was one of the family members with her at that time. I read some of Hebrews 11 to her just before. Janet and Dad were holding her hands when she took her last breath. The services were held in Rantoul, Illinois at Lux Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 12. It was overwhelming the people that made a sacrifice to attend. Our church was well represented, along with family, friends from the Rantoul community, Ag Spectrum friends, and even old high school friends of Mom and Dad's. She was laid to rest at the cemetery in Rantoul next to Grandpa Doc's remains. After the services, we ate lunch at the Linden where she used to play Bridge with her friends.

It's been a week of mixed emotions. Although there was sadness, she lived a long life (dying at the age of 95). My cousins Jeane and Matt came on Sunday and we have been able to spend quality time with them, mourning and catching up. Jeane stayed at my house so we have definitely stayed up way too late most nights picking up right where we left off. We really would be best of friends if we lived closer together.

Two other special cousins flew here, one from Texas and one from California. They are both retired Air Force officers. Not only did they come to the services, but they stayed in town so they got to come out to the farm and have a couple of family meals with us. It was a wonderful time of healing as we all shared stories of our families, especially our Canadian adventures.

Dad and I both delivered a eulogy at the funeral. Mine is below:

The last two days corn’s up 75 and beans are up a dollar; now that would be music to Grandma’s ears. Evelyn Wissmiller, Grandma Doc, as many of us affectionately called her, was an intelligent and strong Swedish woman. She always dressed beautifully and enjoyed sewing, crafts, and cooking, a seemingly contradiction to her love of sports. Even though the Illini teams always came first, she also followed the Bears, the Bulls, and the Cubs.

Her quick and agile mind was a sharp as a tack. I remember playing dominoes with her last spring. We were keeping score so we had to count up the points after the hand. In a matter of seconds, she had added all of them up in her head while I was still counting the dots one by one. If she had been born a little later, she probably would have been a broker and a high school basketball star!

She was so proud of her children and their accomplishments. She loved to talk farming and finances with Roger. She adored Janet and always insisted on consulting with her on medical issues. She came to appreciate Dianne’s unconditional love and dedication, especially in the last few months. She connected with Alan and Jeane instantly when she realized they had her talent for making and saving money. Matt and I were a little harder sell but she soon discovered our individual talents as well as Bridget’s delicious cooking always kept a smile on her face. She and Scott had an instant connection because of their common Swedish heritage.

Grandma was always bragging about Janet, Jeane, and Matt to anyone who would lend an ear. She loved hearing and retelling the story of the latest California adventure. She returned from her trip just last winter with stories of being in the boat with Janet and Jeane and about Matt’s fabulous meals! Her two great grandchildren were very special to her. Every Christmas she sang along as they played songs on the piano. She liked talking to Paul about his latest hobby (astronomy, horses, soccer) and was thrilled with Hannah’s love for sewing.

`My sorrow is great and I will miss Grandma, but I can rejoice that she is now face to face with our heavenly Father – not because of her human strength or goodness, but from the small act of faith - believing in Jesus Christ as her Savior.

One of the verses that Gina just sang says, “Neither life nor death can ever From the Lord His children sever, And His love and deep compassion Comforts them in tribulation.” I am comforted because God the Father loved us so much that He sent His Son to die as a substitute for us. As I study His Word, I appreciate more each day, the sacrifice His Son has made. Even though we may have difficult days and sometimes pain on this earth, it does not compare to the suffering Jesus Christ endured so we can have eternal life.

How can we not rejoice when Revelation 21:4 tells us, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”