A TRIBUTE TO DEE 

written by mother

 I’ve been asked to share recollections I have of Dee and am honored to do so.  It is fitting to pay tribute to someone so deserving, loving, kind, considerate and tolerant.  Death came in the middle of the season of her life when we could have hoped for many more years of her sweet presence amongst us.  Time will cool the anger of losing her in such a cruel and sudden way, and it will soften the intense sadness of missing her so. 

 Danette R. Kiel born 50 years ago on February 9, 1963.  Having her in our lives was a joy.  We loved her then and we love her still.  She was a quiet happy child and easy to live with. Devoted to family she liked planning and attending family reunions.   She was especially fond of her grandmothers, Doris and Dolly.  Throughout most of her childhood she enjoyed the solitude of country living and the beauty of nature.  She gave pets plenty of TLC and helped with the chickens, turkeys, ducks, and sheep. 

Dee strived for excellence in all aspects of her life.  Teachers liked her for her pleasant personality and self discipline.  She maintained her grades as an “A” student 1-12.  She had many interests i.e. was musically inclined pursued piano and guitar lessons and played the violin in the school orchestra, was artistic and creative,  painted both nature and abstract art with acrylics, sewed some of her clothing,    She wasn’t interested in sports but did enjoy fishing, boating and playing billiards with her daddy and brother, Danny.

 In high school Dee was a part-time employee in the activity department for a local nursing facility and volunteered visiting patients who didn’t have family and stayed with them during their last moments. After leaving college, she was one of the Sesame team in the Twin Cities until offered a senior engineer position at Disney World in Orlando Florida. At their request she designed decorations for the Christmas tree each year which was one of her favorite tasks.  She made family members happy giving them free passes.   She stayed with that company until poor health forced early retirement.

 Dee loved the warm, sunny Florida weather and found the beach enticing.  She enjoyed walks along the shore watching the waves burst into whitecaps, the twilight and sunsets.  Perhaps she was too delicately unaggressive but her benevolence was incessant.  She watched for opportunities to help others and took in and cared for rescued cats, fed backyard birds and other wild creatures that wandered in.  She was the Neighborhood Watch and helped care for elderly neighbors, Sara and Skip.  Dee telephoned us regularly to ask if everything was ok.  Her death and her daddy’s birthday occurred in the same week.  She called the day before the family get-together to celebrate his birth and the birth of his sister and younger brother – all born in the same month.  Her last words were “I will call Thursday to get the details of your birthday and I love You”.   I didn’t notice on the display until Friday she had called and it was too late then to return her call.  Gone too soon.  Forever missed.

 Dee was a noble daughter, loyal friend, supportive wife, loving mother and kind grandmother.  Her dear body has passed from our sight; but within our hearts she rests enshrined.  She lives forever.   To believers death is not a blind alley leading into a state of nothingness.  It’s a path leading us into life eternal.  Let this daring faith be your sustaining power.