My Job, My Ministry
November 30, 2009
The bonfire at Rick's Visitation
When it becomes known that I am a funeral director, everyone has a story or questions. This happened to me at church. A friend of our family told us of the brother, Rick’s recent diagnosis with lung cancer. As a church small group we prayed for Rick and healing. In late August, I was telephoned to ask if I would be willing to sit with Rick and his wife, Mary and talk about funerals and options. I agreed to meet and then wondered what I would say as the questions can be difficult as this 51 year old man faced his death. During that discussion, I tried to get to know Rick and Mary and what is important to them and their family. As we talked about funeral options, Rick was very committed to donating his body to medical research. We talked through the process of medical donation. Then, I asked Rick how he wanted to remembered. That is a difficult question and created tears for everyone, including me. Throughout Rick’s comments, he continuously talked about having a bonfire like he created at his home. I asked some questions about his bonfires. As he talked with excitement, he shared that his fires were at least ten foot square in size and the flames were even or higher! We laughed about the heat, the length of time the fires would burn and how all his family would attend just to see what Rick was burning this time! As I understand, he could have more than twenty-five people there to share in Rick’s love of fire! As our conversation came to a close, a some decisions about Rick’s Celebration Of His Life were decided. We would plan a gathering of his family and friends here at the funeral home where we would have a “Star Wars” Christmas tree, his fishing gear, a photo tribute of favorite pictures and several special photos from Rick and Mary’s recent trip to Maui. We would hold a memorial service at Eaglebrook Church – a church that became very important to Rick since his diagnosis. During this service, we would ask a few family members and friends to share about Rick’s life – keeping the service upbeat and personal. Rick would spend some time with Pastor Greg to put everything in place.
Rick’s sister and brother-in-law continued to give our small group updates on his conditions and what “event” this family was doing while Rick was able. We prayed for Rick and Mary. Somehow, I thought Rick would have “the will to live” to make it to his birthday and then Christmas before God called him home. I followed Rick’s journey on his Caring Bridge site and knew he was fighting as hard as he could to keep living, however at the same time, I knew he was ready to die and knew that his Eternal Home was waiting for him. Mary emailed me and told me it she didn’t think Rick would be with us much longer. She wanted to be sure to have Rick’s fingerprints to have some special pieces of jewelry created for the kids. How would she take his thumb prints? What should she do? I offered to go to their home to help with this task. When I arrived at the house, I was unsure of what to say. I was anxious to see Rick again. Before I was able to be with Rick, I was introduced to several of his children and two of his sisters for the first time. I felt like a friend, however, everyone knew I was the funeral director who had talked with Rick creating a bit of awkwardness. I went into the living room, sat beside Rick’s bed and quietly held his hand as I talked to Rick and listened to Mary as she loving comforted him. I quietly took a fingerprint of Rick’s left thumb and before I left, I silently prayed that God would continue to be with Rick as he journeyed through his final days here on earth.
To my surprise, Rick died an hour after I left his home. I was overwhelmed with the news and amazed at how quickly God called Rick to his eternal home. The following day, Rick’s family met with me at the funeral home to finalize the plans we had talked about just a month ago. As we talked about Rick’s wishes, I needed to talk to Rick’s family about what had been going on in my mind. . . . “Bonfires were so important to Rick, how could we have a bonfire at the funeral home? I told myself, that’s crazy, we can’t do that. . . . but then an idea occurred. What if we had a fire bowl outside the front entry? Could we safely do this to honor Rick? We could have a “fire attendant” and maybe roast marshmallows and make S’mores too.” I looked at Mary and said “What do you think of that idea?” Tears immediately filled her eyes showing her emotional “yes, that’s perfect.” I then learned that Rick always built a “kid fire” whenever he had a bonfire. We would create Rick’s Kid Fire outside the funeral home and our group from church would attend the fire. During the gathering of friends and family everyone attending was welcomed by Rick’s Fire. The smiles and comments validated the need to personalize Rick’s gathering. As everyone left the funeral home, they gathered by the fire for a final memory of Rick that evening. People commented about the smell of the fire . . . “It even smells like Rick too!”
For me as a funeral director, I was honored to serve good friends. It was good to sit with Rick and talk about his wishes. I’m sure he and Mary had lots to talk about after the funeral home. Gathering information in advance was helpful to them as well as me. I truly believe my job is my unique ministry. I will continue to listen to my heart and my mind when an idea arises!
Tim Tarmann
Peter P. Book of Forest Lake, MN
November 26, 2009
Date of Birth: August 16, 1928
Date of Death: November 26, 2009
WWII US Army Veteran, age 81 of Forest Lake Passed away peacefully on November 26, 2009. Preceded in death by parents, Mike and Katherine; brothers, Alec, Mac, Bill and Jack; sister, Annie Sorenson. Survived by wife of 57 years, LaValle; children, Kathy (Jay) Scoggin, David (Anne) and Lori (Mike) Slack; grandchildren, Dessia, Lee, Peter and Katherine; sisters, Mary Whitlow and Margaret Skaar; brothers, George (Lucy), John and Tom; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation & Funeral Service
Funeral 11 AM Wed., Dec 2nd at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 10 AM. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to Hospice of the Twin Cities or American Cancer Society.
Elmer T. Peterson of Forest Lake, MN
November 26, 2009
Date of Birth: September 1, 1919
Date of Death: November 25, 2009
Beloved Husband, Dad, & Grandpa age 90 of Forest Lake, and formerly of East Bethel passed away November 25, 2009. Preceded by parents, Axel and Alma; siblings, Carroll, Lillian Erickson, Ralph. Survived by wife of 60 years, Evelyn; daughters, Lois (Stephen) Junker and Deborah Peterson; grandchildren, Jonathan, Laura, Lisa and Andrew; five great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews and others. Elmer can be remembered for his custom home building, his generosity and his volunteer services including the Lions Clubs.
Vistation & Memorial Service
Visitation 3-7 PM Wed. Dec. 2nd at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr SW, Forest Lake. Service 1 PM Thurs. Dec. 3rd at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred.
Anne E. Mathias of Forest Lake, MN
November 25, 2009
Date of Birth: November 29, 1921
Date of Death: November 25, 2009
Dear Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma age 87 of Forest Lake, and formerly of St. Paul passed peacefully on Nov. 25, 2009. Preceded in death by husband, Joe; son, Jim; grandson, Patrick Donohue and sister, Marie Kunz. Survived by daughter, Joanne (Tom) Donohue; sons, Joe “Dick” (Tillie) and Jack (Donna); 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brother, Carl (Beverly) Stampfle and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside Service
Family graveside service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Memorials preferred to donor’s choice.
Lois G. Wunderlich of Forest Lake, MN
November 23, 2009
Date of Birth: June 13, 1925
Date of Death: November 22, 2009
Age 84 formerly of Kilkenny Apartments in Forest Lake passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Lois, along with Bill owned and operated North Oaks Kennels in Hugo for more than 30 years. Lois was preceded in death by her former husband, William Wunderlich and her brother, Robert Baker. She is survived by her children, Linda L. (Dale) Murray of Stillwater, Michael John (Catherine) Wunderlich of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and William M. (Charlene) Wunderlich of Hugo; four grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Visitation and Service
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 5 PM – 6:30 PM with a Prayer Service to begin at 6:30 PM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake, MN.
Interment
Interment will be held in Winona, Minnesota at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 1 PM.
Why it’s best to use a locally owned funeral home.
November 19, 2009
The Roberts Family
During the past twenty years, some area funeral homes have been purchased by a large funeral home conglomerate. As a local and family owned funeral home, we exist to serve the families in our community, not the owner of this particular chain. Corporate policies do not dictate to us what we can and cannot do for a family. Many cases these chain funeral homes retain the local name and give less than 1% ownership to employees, so they can market themselves as being locally owned and operated. As members of this community, we shop here, worship here, educate our children here, and are involved in making this a better place to live. We answer directly to you, our neighbors, just as we have done and will for many years to come.
Veterans Day 2009/El Ewert Interview (Video)
November 11, 2009
Veterans Day Breakfast at Keys Cafe
As a boy growing up in Toluca, Illinois, I was always excited for Veterans Day because it meant a day off from school. I didn’t really know lots of people who had served in the military or had an appreciation for those who had served our country.
Studying American history in high school really taught me great appreciate of service and sacrifice that many veterans had done for our country. When I became 18, I was required to register with the Selective Service Office, I began to think about serving our country – what if my number was selected — where would I go to service — would I be in the Army or Air Force – what if I couldn’t make it through Basic Training. These were some of the questions that I wrestled with in my mind. My number was never called up; however there are times that I wonder how my life would have been different after serving in one of the Armed Forces.
For those men and women who humbly serve our country during war time and peace time, I honor you. During the past year at Roberts Family Funeral Home, we have been privileged to serve the following veterans:
Donald Willcoxen Myron Rohrbach
Terry Carroll John Jarvis
David Doyscher Rayoume Houle
William Grun Duane Zutz
Daniel Cole Cyril Kaiser
Robert Martin
To the families of these veterans, I say thank you. Always be proud of the service your loved one provided to this great nation.
Tim Tarmann – Funeral Director
Roberts Family Funeral Home
2009 Veterans Day Interview with
WWII Veteran El Ewert
Walter R. “Wally” Terpstra of Ham Lake, MN
November 9, 2009
Date of Birth: August 11, 1958
Date of Death: November 8, 2009
Age 51 of Ham Lake, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2009.
Preceded in death by parents, Bill & Vicky; brother, Billy; mother & father in law, Bonnie & Paul Lukaszewski. Survived by wife, Judy; stepsons, Daniel (Katy) Zeug, Michael Zeug, Steven Zeug (Erin); grandson, Kyle Zeug; brother, James (Judiann); uncle, James (Susan) Leone); sister in laws,
Carol ( Dan) Welch, Mary (Mike) Halbur; brother in laws; Darold, Paul, & Bill Lukaszewski; special friends, Mark & Diane Scott, Neal & Leslie Kohler; Nieces, nephews and other extended family. Wally was a great dad, who was adventuress & loved to ride his harley.
Funeral & Visitation
Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Friday Nov. 13th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake with visitation two hours prior. A special thank you to Dr. Laudi, Beth, & Staff at MN Oncology, and Laura & Dan at Heartland Hospice for their great care. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Audrey Anderson of White Bear Lake, MN
November 5, 2009
Date of Birth: September 13, 1922
Date of Death: November 4, 2009
Age 87, passed away on November 4, 2009 at Cerenity Care Center, White Bear Lake, MN.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Kelly Floyd Anderson; one brother and one sister.
Audrey is survived by her two sons, Douglass Anderson and his wife, Jean and Kelly Anderson and his wife, Natalie; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A private family event will be held to honor Audrey’s life. Her final resting place will be in Evening Shadow Memorial Park in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas beside her husband, Kelly.