Fort Dodge, IA - Saying Good-bye to Lug

As you may have noticed, we had a visitation for Lug but no burial yet. We’ve been waiting or a good time when everyone might be available and the weather favorable. Today is the day. He and his wife, Darlene, bought a lot with 6 plots in it long ago in the Colfax cemetery in Vincent, Iowa. Beautiful setting, on a small knoll, surrounded by corn fields, and encircled by trees.

A very peaceful setting - but, oh the wind. We have never been there when we have not been assailed by wind. And, today promised to be no different.

In fact, on and off showers are predicted. As Gary and I were driving towards the cemetery in the sun we could see the rain clouds moving in from the northwest and across the fields we could see the tell-tale signs of rain coming down from some of them. Then they passed and the sun was out again. But, the rain clouds were still around and soon we were in a full blown rainstorm. Gary donned his raincoat and went to speak with one of the cemetery trustees who had dug the hole yesterday and was waiting off to the side for our ceremony to end so he could refill the hole. The rest of the family trickled in and, during a break in the rain, we all decided to hold the ceremony.

Cathy read the 23rd Psalm, Dawn read some letters that Lug had written and compiled for each of the 3 kids. Gary had a short biography of Lug and Darlene that he had written until midnight yesterday. Did I mention that it was raining for some of this? Gary’s recitation was interrupted by more rain and we we all decided to put Lug’s cremains into the hole, thank Brad, the trustee and adjourn to a local restaurant for lunch and the rest of Gary’s story.

Both the visitation and the burial were pretty informal but that was what Lug wanted. He had specifically told his 3 kids that he did not want a church service, nor ministers, nor more than the family. And, that is what he got. We think he would have enjoyed it all. He also would have had a great time at dinner afterwards, holding forth and telling all his stories with his family around him. Here are Dawn, his youngest daughter and her son, Adam, an Eagle Scout who just graduated from high school and will attend Iowa in the fall.


And here are Tom and his daughter, April, who flew in from Austin for the weekend.

Afterwards, we went with Jack to his house to visit with him and pick up his rug steam cleaner for our carpeting in the RV. We also made some arrangements for Jack to come down here for get the things we’ve held aside for him from our house. Here’s Jack trying out his new chair. I must have caught him between smiles.

Then, over to visit with Shirley and Jerry who have bought a new RV. They recently traded in their 5th wheel and truck for a new Winnebago Tour. And, what a beautiful machine. We know they’ll enjoy it and have many adventures in it.