Our mother lived 99½ years on this earth and is now enjoying the timelessness
of eternity with God in heaven. I praise God for His design of this woman and
thank Him for her presence in our lives.

Born the sixth child of immigrant farmers, Mom grew with her roots firmly
planted in block NW Iowa soil and the Word of God. Her Celebration of Life
Service made it very clear—Mom was a farmer sowing seeds all throughout her
life: seeds of faith and music. This is what she talked about. This is what she
did.

Mom lived out her faith. It was a part of her, a part of her marriage, a part of her parenting, and a part of her interaction with others. It wasn’t hidden—this strong relationship with God—but was evident in her interactions with others. Even when she thought that her memory loss and physical challenges meant that she could no longer live for His glory, caretakers and visitors responded to the love she showed others. Was she perfect? No, we are all born into this sinful world. Was she a woman of faith and living hope? Yes, because of the gift Jesus gave us by paying for our sins.

Faith was a part of her: her musical talent, her marriage, her parenting,
and her interaction with others. It wasn’t hidden—her strong relationship with
God—but was evident in her interactions with others. Even when she thought that
her memory loss and physical challenges meant that she could no longer live for
His glory, caretakers and visitors responded to the love she showed others. Was
she perfect? No, we are all born into this sinful world. Was she a woman of
faith and living hope? Yes, because of the gift Jesus gave us by paying for our
sins.

Everywhere she went, Mom scattered musical seeds. Fields of maturing plants and budding offshoots made music together at her funeral service*. Musicians played instruments during the slide show which culminated with a video of Mom at age 95 singing one of her favorite songs (minute 2:20). The band accompanied the singing of four of Mom’s favorite hymns with a daughter leading (minute 28). All who talked had at least one musical reference, and one son wrote a song** that children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sang for her (minute 52.50). We ended with the Doxology–in four-part harmony.

About 40 years ago, Mom put God’s words from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 into a song and encouraged us to sing work together in this way. What a gift. The seeds of faith and music sown all around her, intertwined as they grew, and are grafted onto the Father’s vine. Thank you, Lord, for creating our mother and filling her with your Holy Spirit.