"Thinking of all of Leona's family today.  She was such a great mom and cared so deeply about all of you.  May you find comfort in knowing that her spirit still is with you."

"How did you manage?  You had both Myron and myself in the hospital after we rolled the car.  Carol was hit by a car last night and I can hardly hold it together.  I feel like I should have been able to protect her.  I know that we aren't even in the same country, but gee...she was hit by a car.
  Need your strength, need you to be close to her since I'm not able to be there yet."

"Mom, today for the first time since you left this life and went on to the next one; I realized that you didn't leave us, that God let you rest...that He knew that you this world was much too much for you.  It was while I was  out filling our calves water that He spoke and said that there was too much stress for you here and that Heaven would be much better for you.  I love you and I miss you like crazy...but I know that I will see you again.  For now you simply have to put up with the Eckman-Dentrey part of my family."

"I never got to say goodbye to a longtime friend.  She was always there to help take care of my kids when we couldn't due to work.  She was quiet and faithful and loved her kids more than life.  Although life was never easy for Leona, she kept going.  May her family share the peace of God that passes all understanding, knowing that you will be reunited someday with her."

"I'm a few days early, but I just wished my sister-in-law a Happy 68th Birthday.  Wish you were here so I could do this in person (okay over the phone), but I'd be able to see you this summer.  Carol graduates this spring.  I still can't make it to Mandan...I can't see you that way, I can only remember you as my mom...not some plot in the ground.  You meant more to me than that.  I love you and miss you,"

"Over a year has gone by and you are thought of every day.  I think out of all of your children; I think I am doing the best....maybe losing Ken has helped me be able to say good bye.  I have had to learn to rely on Stu more.  I didn't have a chance to tell you how much I love you, the last time we communicated, I wanted to prove that I knew what I was doing and I didn't want to back down...now I wish I had.  Oh well, it doesn't change the fact that you are an amazing mother.  I love you."

"Happy Birthday Mom!  There hasn't been a day in this past year I haven't thought of you and missed you so much.  Sorry about the mess I made with everyone ~ I so continue to feel like an outsider in our family but even more so with you being gone. AJ, Carol, Nicky and I celebrated you birthday at Ruby Tuesday's and then went to a movie. Which of course pissed off Theo.  I don't know what to do about him. I want to get on with my life but I'm so worried about his reaction and all the tension it creates for all the kids ~ especially Tyler.  I wish you were here to talk to. I love you and wish we could have had more time.
Karrie"

"Nana
Oh you have no idea. It has been nine months and 5 days. I am finally out of treatment... i hope ur proud of me.... i love you so much... sometimes I even call ur phone only to realize ur gone.
Love ya like crazy Nana"

"Mom, it has been over six months and I still miss you like crazy.  I have placed many memorials on facebook for you, but it doesn't stop the pain. Here come the tears again, I love you mom."