Yesterday my grandfather passed away. This was a day I NEVER EVER wanted to come. I have forever- since I can remember- had this idea that MY grandparents would NEVER die.. Obvioulsy this was very unrealistic and I knew deep down that someday I would have to face this fear. And yesterday I did.
To be real honest- it is a bittersweet thing. Grandpa has been in the nursing home for several months- unable to walk or really take care of himself.. so for me to wish that his life would continue that way is completely selfish and unfair. And I didn't. But it still (for lack of a better word) sucked.
Grandpa LOVED his grandkids. He called me his dolly. He always had a mint in his pocket.. and in exchange for a kiss I could reach into his pocket and help myself. Even with his old arthritic knees he always had room on his lap.
He LOVED his wife.. and I will forever be thankful for their example of what love is supposed to be like- everlasting love- until death did them part. They didn't always like each other- but the LOVE that was shown through them was always present. I think that is one of the reasons I completely dreaded this day. To have to see grandma live without her love. Without her soulmate. I also have dreaded watching my mom lose her dad. And my aunts and uncles lose their dad. What a blessing grandpa has been.. to all of us. He will be missed by so many.
It makes me so thankful that there is a heaven- and that someday we will reunite and live forever.
-together-
I think I get my love for and gift with babies from two people. My dad and my grandpa Stan. Grandpa LOVED his babies. I wish he could have met my future babies- I know he would have loved them so much.
I will miss you grandpa.
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Stanley Ellison, age 85, of Clarinda, Iowa, formerly of Fredericksburg, Iowa entered into peace Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Leslie Traylor officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will also be held Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Peace United Church of Christ, Fredericksburg, Iowa with Pastor Bert Williams officiating. A visitation with the family will be held in Fredericksburg from 2-5- p.m., Sunday, April 22 at Chenoweth Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg, Iowa. Memorials may be given in Stanley's name. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at,
www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.
Stanley Eugene Ellison was born July 20, 1926 to Lyle and Blanch (Thompson) Ellison in rural Chickasaw county. He attended Fredericksburg elementary and high school graduating in 1944. On May 29, 1948 he married Lois Elizabeth Mattke at the Evangelical Church in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Stanley and Lois resided in the Fredericksburg, Iowa area until 2005 when they relocated to Clarinda, Iowa. They were members of Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, where Stanley served on the church advisory committee of Northeast Iowa for 6 years. Stanley also served on The Chickasaw County Board of Education, Chickasaw County Soil Conservation Board, Chickasaw County Extension Service, and was a member of The Lions Club. After moving to Clarinda they were members of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Stanley and Lois enjoyed traveling to Port Aransas, Texas over the winter months for the past 20 years.
Left to cherish Stanley’s memory is his wife of 63 years, Lois Elizabeth (Mattke) Ellison. The couple was blessed with four children: Tom (Myrna) of San Antonio, TX; Rodney (Beverly) of Omro, WI; Sue Milius (Tom) of Denver, IA; and Kristin Smith (Michael) of Clarinda, IA. Stanley always had a special place on his lap for his grandchildren: Sonja, Ann, Thomas, Heidi, Adam, Andrew, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jessica, Caleb, Austin, Owen, & Isabelle. Stanley and Lois were also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren, whom he loved and enjoyed very much, as well as extended family and friends.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Blanche Ellison; one brother, Hubert Ellison; and infant son, Edward.
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(Added 04/25/12)
