Mari, Another year has passed in the blink of an eye. This world of ours has been 9 years without you in it. It is so lovely that your children remember you on the two most important dates of your life, your birth and your death. You are gone, but certainly not forgotten.  Ruth reached out to me several weeks ago, to remind me that it's been two years since we met. We're going to remedy that as soon as the holidays are over. It moves me so, that she wears both Roy's and your wedding rings. Rest in Peace Mari, and give the big guy a hug for me. Tara Klimek

Good morning Mari, Once again Happy Birthday in Heaven. The years are really starting to pass quickly now. I turned 80 this year, and had a cardiac event, so I realize every moment is precious. Your lovely children have remained close, because of the foundation you and Roy presented. Have a wonderful day, know that you're being thought of in a special way today, and give the big guy a hug from me. Love and Prayers as usual Mari. Tara Klimek

Hello, my friend. Every year when this email rolls around, I can hardly believe that another year without you in it, has passed. This time of year is supposed to be joyful, yet for your family, it's another reminder that both you and Roy are not with them. I know they keep you in their hearts, and that gone is not forgotten. Lots of good thoughts will be heading your way today, including my love and prayers. Tara Klimek

Good morning Mari, I received this lovely reminder in my email. First of all, I hope you are having a wonderful birthday in Heaven. I can hardly believe it's been 8 years since you were taken from us. Our world isn't what you would remember. At times, I don't mind nearing the end of my life. That old saying about "getting older isn't for sissies" is truthful. But we soldier on, hoping for the best. Please give Roy a big hug from me, and Best Wishes for a great day. Thinking of you. Tara

Good morning Mari, I'm sure Roy already told you about your daughter Ruth reaching out to me over the summer. She's a lovely young woman, and I was so moved when she showed me the rings from both you and Roy that she wears every day. What a wonderful family you had, and to think you're a great grandmother now. Our world is in a state of flux right now, but I want you to know that I miss you very much. Every time I finish a great book, I want to give you a call. But you probably know this already. Thinking of you and the big guy, and sending love and prayers your way.  Tara

Mari, Thinking of you with love today. Your sweet daughter Ruth reached out to me over the summer. We agreed when it cooled off, we were going to get together. That time has arrived, so I'm going to contact her. I'll be looking for signs of you in her face. It will be like saying hello to an old friend. Thanks for a wonderful friendship Mari. Peace . .       Tara

Good morning Mari, I am in disbelief that another year has passed. But what a year. This is one you may not mind missing. I reviewed the pictures attached to this memorial, and one of my favorites is the one with you and beautiful Ruth. We miss you and Roy very much. Rest in peace Mari.   Tara

Mari dear, I'm always so surprised to receive this notification, that another year has passed without you among us. Missing you and the big guy. You have another friend that joined you recently, John Waslesky. I know John and Roy will be so happy to see one another again.

God Bless you Mari. Rest well.  Your friend, Tara

Mom
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since we lost you and Dad. I miss you both every single day but Christmas is especially hard for me. I’m so grateful to the friends and family that still post such lovely tributes on here for you, especially Tara. It’s very comforting to know of the impact you had on other lives. You certainly had, and continue to have, a huge impact on mine. Merry Christmas and all my love to you and Dad.
Love,
Ruth

Mari, you are never far from my thoughts! On this sad day, I remember how much you are missed by all who love you. You were the anchor and shining light of the Eike family. Much love, Elaine

With warm remembrances of Aunt Mari this day after her birthday (eve of Nov 4th)!

I think of her and my mother Greta and Grandma Henny regularly as I have a picture of the three of them which was taken on the day they left their home in Norway to immigrate to the USA, in 1948. The picture was made into a screen print by my sister Tonia, and several of us siblings have copies that we have framed and hung in our homes. It is a good reminder of the journey that our grandparents and parents made in order to provide better lives for themselves and us! I appreciate the sacrifices they made to come to the USA, and I also appreciate the knowledge and love of Norway that they instilled in us as well! 

Love to you all, Deborah

Dear Mari, lighting a candle for you today, your birthday in Heaven. Time will never diminish how much you are missed and how much you are loved.

Hi Mari, Happy 80th birthday in Heaven. I can only imagine how much your family misses you, especially today. I would like to think that the four of us would have dinner together, you, me, Roy and Dave to celebrate this milestone.
Love and prayers are being sent your way. Tara

Mari, remembering you this Christmas. You will always be in my heart, thinking about your laughter and how sweet a person you were always to me. I hope you, Stan and Roy are sharing together all the joy of heaven!

Dear Mom- You know I miss you and Dad every day. I don't post on this website much because I still "talk" to you a couple of times a week. Your loss hasn't gotten any easier to take. I prefer to celebrate your birthday, not focus on the day I lost you. On the other hand, I want to thank your friends who still post here and on Dad's site years after you left us- especially Tara Klimek. We read every one of the posts and are very thankful that others also remember our Mom and Dad fondly.

Mari, I am lighting a candle and sending a prayer your way. I know how much you're missed by your children, as this time of year always seems to make it so much more painful. Thru their tears, I know they are thinking of all the beautiful memories you and Roy left with them.
Love and prayers Mari.                 Always a friend,
                                        Tara

Dear Mari, well, here we are again. Thinking of you so much this time of year. We just moved to a new house In July, which I think you already know. Dave's dream was to live on a golf course. I wish this would have happened 10 years ago, but we will enjoy it while we are able. Love and prayers to you and Roy both. I hope you enjoy your special day in Heaven.  T

Dear Mari, This time of year is so hard for me, and I have not been feeling well at all. I'm feeling rather sorry for myself, and then I think about your family who is missing you and Roy so much. It just doesn't seem like three years since Ruth called me that day. Thinking of you so often, and sending love and prayers your way. T

Mari dear, It is unbelievable that another year has passed without your sweet self in our world. We miss you terribly.
I would like you to read a book I think you'll love. It's called A Man Called Ove, about a Swedish churlish man. I think I liked it so much because Sweden is sort of close to Norway, and it reminded me of you.
Give the big guy a hug for me, and I'm sending love and prayers to you both.  Tara

Dear Mari, Life passes in the blink of an eye. I wanted to tell you about the movie I saw yesterday, Manchester By The Sea. It made my heart hurt, just as your passing did. A death in the family is just awful, but somehow when it happens at the holidays, it is just so much worse. I think of you and Roy so often and offer Love & Prayers. Tara

Mari, you are missed more than ever. Now that Stan has joined you in heaven on November 20th this year, this holiday season is even more difficult to go through. Happy birthday Mari, we love you still.

Mari dear, I have been thinking about you so much this week. I went to the funeral of one of my high school classmates on Sunday. They were married 55 years, and her husband is inconsolable. At the graveside services, he leaned over and kissed her casket, and said "Wait for me". This is how I imagine you and Roy. I cannot get these words out of my head. The service was so emotional. I miss sending you and Roy birthday and anniversary cards, and I just finished a great book I wanted to tell you about. I pray for you and Roy every night, and miss you terribly. T

Mari dear,
It is impossible to believe that you have been gone from us for a year. I received a lovely Christmas card from your beautiful daughter Ruth, offering me comfort and solace, when it is I who should be offering this to her. She left me her telephone number, and I will stay in touch with you thru her. Hugs to Roy. T

I can hardly believe that it's been almost a year since Mari's death. Realizing that today would have been her 76th birthday, seems that much more difficult. And on Dec 2nd, Roy would have celebrated his 79th. We exchanged anniversary and birthday cards for many years, which is what an enduring friendship is. This is such a painful reminder of how little time we have.

It’s now about a month and a half since Aunt Mari passed away and I was again reminded of her and Uncle Roy today. While distance prevented us Olsoe cousins from spending much time together with the Eike’s, I have always felt a warm connection to them. Mari was always faithful to send cards and greetings to us and on the occasions we visited in their home in NY, CA or NV, we were always welcomed graciously.

It feels rather strange, as the 9 grandchildren of Henny and Magnus Lande, for us to have lost not only our grandparents but all 4 parents as well. Now we are the ones to carry on the memories of our grandparents and parents, to tell the stories of their lives and to remember the values and hopes that they passed along to us. It makes it all the more special to continue to connect with one another as cousins, which I hope we can do! Love, Deborah

The last time I saw Aunt Mari was at my Mom's funeral. As you know it's a very tough time, seeing her was completely unexpected, but there she was with her soft comforting smile and strong Norwegian womanly grace. A feeling of ease and comfort immediately came over me and that is something I will always cherish about her.

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. To think that Mari is no longer at the end of my telephone line is unbelievable. She was my first girlfriend in Norway when I was eight years old, she was my cousin and above all she was my friend that I have dearly loved for my entire life,

Mari, along with her mother Tanta Henny, and her sister Greta came to Brooklyn with my mother and I sailing across the Atlantic ocean in the "Stavangerfjiord" in 1948. The trip took nine days at that time. They all lived with us in a three room apartment on the fourth floor on 60th Street in Bay Ridge Brooklyn until they got an apartment on the same floor.

It had not been an easy time time for them during WWll as Tysnes was occupied by the Germans.There wasn't much food and Mari's mother gave much of her portion to Mari and her sister. Their father, Onkel Magnus, was a seaman and was unable to get back to his family during that time.

Well enough reminiscing, I have a lifetime of memories of Mari, (and Roy), and they will always be in my heart. To Ruth, Mark and Brian and families, I want you to know I love you all and share your sorrow. I hope we don't lose touch over the coming years....

With LOVE,
Uncle John

I had the great pleasure of knowing Mari through my marriage to Stan Eike, the brother of Roy. From the first meeting she was incredibly welcoming and made me feel like family. She was kind, generous, empathic and very straight forward. Mostly I remember her easy laugh and her honest ability to express herself freely. It has been so difficult to come to terms with her passing so suddenly. We all felt like she was about to take on a new chapter in her life embraced by her loving and close family. Knowing her relationship with the church I am assured that she is in the loving arms of Christ and that one day I will see her again in a joyous reunion. I extend my condolences to Mark, Brian, and Ruthie and their families, and to all the friends of Mari and Roy.

When Roy died a part of me died as well. I knew him for almost 72 years. All of my memories of my youth, people, events, gatherings etc. These were things I could talk about, reference or ask about and he knew who and what It was. But that part of him was still there with Mari. I knew her for about 60 years. We were part of a large group of family friends that got together often. Holidays, birthdays, socially, vacations you name it. Now she's gone. I have no one else that I'm in ready touch with who knows any of it.

I can't reminisce about those times and that part of my life with anyone. Things like who were the Hovislalands, Olette and Karl Swann and the vacations at their house on Artist Lake, Anna Torgersen, Torger and Ellie Dahl and the vacations at their house in Babylon, the Olsens, the Meyers, Haaken Donelsen, the Landes (both families). And all the kids from those families I knew and spent so much time with. What they looked like, the sound of their voices, and who they were as people. I remember even though I may have misspelled some names. 

I still have family, Mark, Brian, Ruth and their families. I have Elaine and her family. There are others who would remember those times and all those people. John Lande, Ruth and Stanley Williamson for example. 

In spite of it all. I can't help but feel strangely alone.

Ruth and I have been best friends since we were 11 years old and Roy and Mari were like a second set of parents to me. I hope they both knew how much they meant to me and how thankful I feel to have known them and been guided by them throughout my life. I feel like they helped shape who I am as an adult and provided me with a great deal of guidance and many words of wisdom. They always welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I was part of the family. I will be forever grateful for the chance to have had them in my life.  I take some comfort in knowing they are together again. Love, Stacey

Once again I'm at a loss for words and I will never find the right ones to express how much I love and miss you. I try to take solace in the fact that you got to be with Dad for Christmas. I know how much you missed him. You were the best mother anyone could ask for and the 3 of us were the luckiest kids for having you as ours. I love you and miss you...forever and always.

"If Roses grow in Heaven"

If Roses grow in Heaven
Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Mother's arms
and tell her they're from me.

Tell her that I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.

Author: Kirsten Preus

I was able to tell Mom and Dad how thankful I was for both of them shortly before Dad passed away earlier this year. But I'm heartbroken now that I didn't get another chance to tell Mom again and to say goodbye.

Mom was an incredible loving person who cared deeply for her immediate and extended family, as well as friends. In return, she was very much loved by all those around her. She always put her family first and made things a little better for all of us. I feel very fortunate to have had the happy childhood that I did and to then fairly seamlessly transition to a close, adult relationship with her.

We always spoke regularly, but I'm very glad I spent so much time with her over the last several months - in person, via phone, sharing the sadness of losing her husband and my father, and joking and laughing as well. I have many great memories that I can and will draw upon forever. I just wish I was able to make more now.

Ruth, Brian & Mark
The news of Mari's passing is beyond sad. The last email I received from her was December 18th. I can only imagine how much you will miss her, and want to assure you that she and Roy will be in my daily prayers for the remainder of my life. Love & Prayers,   T

Just back from xmas vacation. We talked to Mari just before we left and made plans to meet for lunch after the new year. 
Roy and Mari were a big part of our life. Roy and I had great days as golf partners and Mari always said he should get out and play even though it was difficult for him.
We often traded stories and pictures of our kids and grandkids. They were so proud of their family! Wonderful parents.
The Jacksons

I’m still reeling from the loss of Dad just a few months ago, and now I’ve lost you too, and without being able to say goodbye.

For decades, I don’t think I’ve gone for more than a couple of days without calling you to see how your day was going or to brag about something one of your grandchildren did. You were always so proud of everything we all did (whether it was warranted or not)- I don’t know how I will enjoy anything anymore without being able to share it with you.

I thought we had so much time left. Now you’ll never see your grandchildren get married, or meet your great-grandchildren. It makes me simultaneously both sad and angry. I wish I could call you just one more time so I could thank you for being such a wonderful mother. I love you, Mom

  “I have no fear of death, it brings no sorrow,
  But how bitter will be this last farewell.
  For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly,
  More dearly than the spoken word can tell”

  Elvis Presley (your favorite, Mom) - "The Last Farewell"