Gerry & Diane went on a hot air balloon ride in mid July.  They had hoped to be flying over the city but the prevailing winds decided that they would be over the surrounding countryside instead.  It was still a spectacular couple of hours of feeling like a bird, soaring above all the usual noises that we hear during everyday life.  They arranged for their flight several months in advance and some in their party had arranged much more than a year in advance.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING

Life has changed a lot for Reinhold and his family since the last newsletter.  Grace was lucky enough to start feeling better for a few weeks in the spring.  During that time they were able to get out and about again, doing bits of shopping in Red Deer and going for drives.  They went to Rocky Mountain House for Mother’s Day where Grace’s son Dennis treated them to a lovely brunch.  They drove to Saskatchewan as well.  Grace visited with her family members in Saskatoon while Reinhold continued on to Strasbourg for a couple of days.  Shortly after they returned to Innisfail Grace went into hospital again and it was all downhill from there. Her cancer came back very fast and strong.  All of Reinhold’s children and her children were able to spend some time with her before she passed away peacefully on June 15th. 
A very nice service was held for her in Innisfail and it was very well attended.  From the Strasbourg area, both Diane & Helen drove up for the funeral and Jim & Maryann also attended.  There were various other relatives and friends of both Reinhold and Grace who were there, lending their support.  The funeral home had a very nice display of some of Grace’s beautiful handiwork, including a lovely quilt.  Reinhold was attended by both Michele and Grace’s daughter Bernice at the funeral.  A burial service was held in Strasbourg Cemetery on July 5th.  That was also very well attended.  All the local relatives were able to go, as well as many of Grace’s family members from Saskatoon.

Both Michele & Steve, as well as Bernice and her husband were there from the Edmonton area as well.  Again, Reinhold was attended by Michele & Bernice.

On a personal note, I would like to say that Grace left a pretty big hole in our family.  She came along when we were all still very much missing Eileen and hurting from her loss.  Grace was the personification of her name, she just gracefully joined us all and helped us to get past our grief over Eileen and made Reinhold feel happy again.  She made some great friendships in our family.  We all admired her creativity, which was shown in the beauty she brought to the yard at the old farm, as well as all of the lovely quilts and other items that she lovingly made.  We will miss her deeply.

Reinhold drove down to Strasbourg not long after Grace passed away and spent some very good quality time with his family.  Elsie welcomed Reinhold and Fred into her home for the duration and they got some very good visiting done.  Reinhold has had several visits with his kids since he’s been alone.  Grace’s sister and husband have also come for a visit with him, along with a visit from Dorothy and Bernice.

Go To Page 11