The first weekend of November Ken and I traveled to Santa Barbara to spend some time with Ken's mom and siblings. The highlights of the weekend were going to Solvang, having a nice dinner together, sibling "bonding" time in our hotel room, and playing games together. Ken's mom loves Pit and Yahtzee. Fortunately the concierge gave us a room away from other guests so that we could be as noisy as we wanted. We also traveled south to spend Thanksgiving with Ken's mom. It was a quiet day for the three of us.
The first week of December began with a phone call from my sister Joni saying that my dad was taken to the hospital with weakness on one side and fluid in his lungs. As the week progressed it became obvious that Dad's health was precarious. His kidney function was minimal with dialysis necessary; he suffered from several mini-strokes, and his heart was stopping for several seconds. Dad chose to have dialysis and the second treatment caused another stroke so that had to be stopped. Then the doctors suggested that a pace-maker might help both his kidney function and his heart rhythms. Dad had a pace-maker inserted and for a few weeks he seemed to rally. He went home with 24 hour nursing care on December 21. This gave our out-of-town children and grandkids a chance to see Grandpa when they were home for Christmas.
We were blessed in so many ways during the Christmas season. The kids and grandkids, for the most part, were able to get together on
On December 30, my dad ended up in the hospital again. This time however, it was obvious that his time on earth was coming to an end. Dad decided he didn't want anymore "treatments" and that he just wanted to go home. Hospice was called and we watched Dad grow weaker with each day. God was good to him. Dad had no pain; he retained his mind, his sense of humor, and most importantly his faith. On Friday, January 7, Dad joined his Savior Jesus, my sister Thel, brother-in- law Jim, and nephew John William in heaven. I miss my dad already. I know I have been greatly blessed in having him for 61 years of my life. But, death brings temporary separation and I miss him.
I wrote a poem for Dad's funeral service which Sheri and I read. I included it in this post for anyone who wants to know what made Dad so special to us.
Remembering Our Dad
We thank our Heavenly Father for the years He gave us Dad
And though we grieve his passing, our memories make us glad.
John Vander Schaaf was special to his friends, his kids, his wife
And we’d like to take a moment to tell about his life.
Our Dad was born in Friesland, and two pounds was all he weighed
And since he was so tiny, in a shoebox he was laid.
His father and his mother thought it best, when Dad was two
To settle in the USA where skies are always blue.
His father bought a dairy and our Dad soon learned the trade
He liked the cows,the flies,the smells; his future now was made.
Dad grew to be quite handsome; there’s no doubt he was a catch.
He dated several girls looking for that perfect match.
One day he met our mother who was pretty,
And was working in the milk house! He knew she was a find!
Dad wanted to impress her on the first real date they had
So he took her to a res’trant where the food was not too bad.
But when it came to paying, Dad soon realized his err’
Because reaching for his wallet he found it was not there.
Our mother had to wonder if this guy was awfully tight
Dad must have done some talking to make that whole thing right.
They dated for a long time; five full years to be exact.
And once they broke up briefly. Dad was foolish, that’s a fact.
Now it seems there was a fellow who planned to date my mom
When Dad heard about this rumor, well, he blew up like a bomb!
Dad threatened this poor fellow, said he’d like to knock him down
And tie him to his roadster, then drag him through the town.
Whatever was the problem, they patched things up again
Dad knew she was the girl for him, her hand he vowed to win.
They both professed their faith in Christ when they were just nineteen
They loved the Lord,His Word, the church where oft’ they would be seen.
Both finished school and went to work. Mom started in a bank
And Dad took upmost pleasure watching milk go in the tank.
They worked so hard, saved a lot, looking toward a wedding date
Their parents thought they were too young and said they had to wait.
Our parents were obedient, but when Dad turned twenty-one
They said their vows, tied
Their honeymoon was splendid ‘til Dad was caught for speeding
The cop just wrote a ticket, despite Dad’s fervent pleading.
They settled into married life as quickly as could be
And only twelve months later, they became a family.
The first born was a daughter who was as good as gold.
The second girl soon followed and ‘twas naughty I’ve been told
The third one was a darling child who was pretty and so bright
And Dad enjoyed his daughters who brought him joy and light.
But with the growing family, it was time to move the dairy
For Bev would soon be joining sisters Thel, Corrine, and Sheri.
Dad loved his little girls and was proud of them indeed.
So he had a sign put on his barn which everyone could read
“John Vander Schaaf and Daughters” only hung there for a year
As soon as brother John was born that sign would disappear.
And though Dad was excited, thought a son was pretty neat
It was the birth of Joni, that made his home complete.
There is a little story that we like to tell with mirth
About the Friday morning on the day of Joni’s birth.
When Mom went into labor and told Dad ‘twas time to go
Our Dad told Mom she had to wait ‘cuz first he had to bowl.
We had a happy home life where love and joy were found
No doubt we were a noisy bunch but laughter did abound.
Our Dad was always funny ... the things that man would say!
And when his work was finished he would find the time to play.
Dad felt that sports instruction was a duty for a dad
He usually showed us patience, he occasionally got mad.
He showed me how to dribble and to throw just like a boy
And when he watched us play a game his eyes would shine with joy.
When we were only children, Dad taught in Sunday School
Kids liked his sense of humor, most thought him pretty cool.
But the lessons that he taught us were displayed in his own life
In the way he treated widows, his kids, and yes, his wife.
He said it really mattered that we live our lives God’s way,
He taught us Bible stories and he showed us how to pray.
Some of the things Dad taught us, didn’t go just as he planned.
When Sheri tried to feed a calf, she kind of broke her hand.
When Dad said “Pull the wires”, things would get a little tense.
He said “Go drive the tractor”, and I promptly hit the fence.
Johnny liked to ride up high, inside the tractor scoop.
Out he fell, cut his tonsils out, and landed in the poop.
The girls learned to cook and clean, play piano, and to sew
Dad taught his son to dairy, sharing all he’d need to know.
And through it all he taught us we should always give our best
And when a job is finished, well, that’s when we get to rest.
The years flew by, the kids grew up, “Too fast” our parents said
For one by one the kids found mates and soon they all were wed.
But what could be much better, than to watch the family grow
With lots and lots of grandkids, twenty-six in all, you know.
When the grandkids would excel, “It’s Genetics” Dad would claim
But when they made mistakes of course, the in-laws got the blame.
Dad had some special nick-names, and the kids replied with joy
When ere’ he called for Brown Eyes, Princess, Squirt or Johnny Boy.
The nineties saw great changes, Mom and Dad would make a move
This time they moved to Ripon where they fit right in the groove.
The scenery changed completely, for they left behind the smog
And traded in the dusty winds for frigid, ugly fog.
It helped that Bev and Joni were already living here
And Dad soon started making plans to bring the others near.
For Dad believed in family; ‘twas important to be close
And being by those he loved was what Dad wanted most.
The grandkids soon would marry and the family really grew,
Thirty little great grandkids are now part of the crew.
Dad liked to spend vacations with his kids and grandkids too
So cruising to Alaska was what we all would do.
It’s been fun remembering all the moments we have shared
Knowing that, no matter what, our parents really cared.
In all they did they tried to be a faithful dad and mother
And though they loved us children, their first love was each other.
And most of all we’re grateful for the godly home they gave
The message that was foremost was that Jesus came to save.
The Lord’s Day was respected, they taught us how to pray,
And when our worlds crumbled, they helped us find the way.
The last five years were difficult, Dad’s faith was surely tested
By loss of Johnny, Jim and Thel. Yet in God’s grace he rested.
Dad tried to still stay joyful but his eyes would fill with tears
And as his heart grew weaker his face was etched by years.
Dad trusted in his Savior and in the midst of loss
He found a calm assurance clinging to the rugged cross.
Dad showed us by example, what it means to love the Lord
Instruction in our family was based first on his Word.
Because of all Dad’s taught us through his actions, words and love
We know we’ll see our father when we get to heav’n above.
Though down here on earth below the life of Dad is o’er
We know he lives eternal on heaven’s blissful shore.
And though we feel like grieving we know we have been blest
And we thank our heavenly Father for our Dad; he was the best!
What a great poem! Your dad was such a great man. he always had such a big smile and was full of warmth... and jokes!
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