Our daughter Kathy lived in California at the time of Don's 50th birthday.  I planned a surprise birthday party for him to be held at his brother Ken's home.  I invited our friends and family but the best surprise of all was having Kathy flown in from California with our new granddaughter, Rachel.  It was the best birthdaypresent for PaPa and he was truly surprised and happy and one of his happiest memories that we often shared over the years. Family was always first for Don and he was a very devoted father and husband and always enjoyed when the grandkids came around.  We also took our three younger grandsons (Tim, Jack, David) and granddaughter Anna on a trip to the Black Hills.  It was a fun adventure for all of us and even though they were pretty young, they still remember quite a bit about the trip.  Our second trip with Tim, Jack and David was to Myrtle Beach, SC where we stayed at our friends vacation home.  What fun it was to watch the boys swimming in the ocean, a visit to Patriot's Point and touring the Navy aircraft carrier, a ride through historic Charleston on the horse and buggy ride. What wonderful memories for all of us and Grampa especially who was always so proud of his grandchildren.  We all love you and miss you so very much.  I know you are watching over us.  

Several of us in a small quilting group with Carole were fortunate to receivie an item handmade by Don's hands for Christmas gifts.  He was thoughtful and patient in making not one, but about five identical items. We "girls" were  just thrilled to receive such wonderful Christmas presents. Don's workmanship was so well done.  One could see the love he had for taking a piece of wood and making it into a useful and decorative item.  In my eyes, Don was a quiet, kind and thoughtful man. He enjoyed having lunch with the "girls" when it was sewing day at Carol's house. I always enjoyed his presence and visiting with him during the lunches. He had a calm demeanor and was a peaceful soul. I was so sorry to hear that the sound of his woodworking tools would no longer be heard, his chair at the table on a sewing day left empty. The memory of those times and the gift of his talents with Christmas gifts serve as a lasting memory of Don. A little of him is present when we use the gifts he made, thus it becomes a warm memory. As Jesus was a carpenter , he and Don will get along famously. Rest in Peace, Don.

My father was an avid fisherman back in the day and when it came to how serious he was about it, well lets just say that he would sing at the top of his lungs "Jeramiah was a bullfrog...." and leave it at that. You just had to be there.