Below are the words Bethanine and Chad wrote for Dad's funeral. I thought I'd post them again. The saddest part is thinking of all that he has missed. The Great Grandkids, the lake life and all of the other stuff that has happened. He'd have loved it all. Well, most of it anyway.
From Bethanie:
Grandpa Mieska’s Eulogy November 14, 2006
What will be grandpa's legacy?
Legacy, it’s about how you are remembered ... about what you pass on to the next generation. What has been passed on to me that I will in turn pass on?
I am sure we all have our unique answer to how we will remember grandpa, our individual memories that we will hold on to. My grandpa knew so many people in so many places. It was just this past summer that grandma and grandpa so graciously offered to drive me to Wisconsin to meet up with the Harley crew. During the drive, I can’t remember going 20 miles without grandpa mentioning someone he knew who lived there, how he knew them, and what they did. I asked him, “Grandpa, do you know someone in every town.” And grandpa replied, “Yeah, just about.”
His friends and family that are here today and those that could not make it are all a testimony to what a great person my grandpa was. He was a friend, dad, husband, and grandpa. A hard worker in every task he did. It was so amazing to watch him work out on the farm with my dad each summer, he even managed to eat the lunch I would sometimes prepare and he’d tell me how good it was, even if it was just homemade pizza or bologna. I can only pray that I will be as hard working throughout my life as my grandpa was, all the while keeping a good sense of humor.
My grandpa carried around jokes in his wallet, so he could remember them the next time he wanted to tell one. Even in his hospital bed, my grandpa was cracking jokes to lighten the mood. I think my grandpa would want us all to remember his love of jokes and pass on a good joke when we hear one.
I know all of the grandkids will always have fond memories of grandpa, whether it is the fishing and boating we did at grandma and grandpa’s lake house, relaxing vacations at their Arizona home and watching him play softball better than I ever will, or more recently at the farm on Sunday evenings. I truly believe that this family has something special, enjoying the open road on motorcycles together, gathering Sunday evenings for dinner, and coming together to support each other in times of need.
What is my grandpa’s greatest legacy? What is the thing of most value that he has passed on to his children and grandchildren? What will be passed on to the next generation? I hope we all remember his love of life and how he really lived life to its fullest. I think one of my grandpa’s greatest legacies is his family. We have grandma and grandpa to thank for starting this great family that comes together at a moments notice to show support. How truly blessed we all are to have such love and support. That is what I hope to pass on; the love of a close family and the love of life.
May we honor grandpa, the great man that he was and the great life that he lived. I pray that he finds his place in heaven.
What will be grandpa's legacy?
Legacy, it’s about how you are remembered ... about what you pass on to the next generation. What has been passed on to me that I will in turn pass on?
I am sure we all have our unique answer to how we will remember grandpa, our individual memories that we will hold on to. My grandpa knew so many people in so many places. It was just this past summer that grandma and grandpa so graciously offered to drive me to Wisconsin to meet up with the Harley crew. During the drive, I can’t remember going 20 miles without grandpa mentioning someone he knew who lived there, how he knew them, and what they did. I asked him, “Grandpa, do you know someone in every town.” And grandpa replied, “Yeah, just about.”
His friends and family that are here today and those that could not make it are all a testimony to what a great person my grandpa was. He was a friend, dad, husband, and grandpa. A hard worker in every task he did. It was so amazing to watch him work out on the farm with my dad each summer, he even managed to eat the lunch I would sometimes prepare and he’d tell me how good it was, even if it was just homemade pizza or bologna. I can only pray that I will be as hard working throughout my life as my grandpa was, all the while keeping a good sense of humor.
My grandpa carried around jokes in his wallet, so he could remember them the next time he wanted to tell one. Even in his hospital bed, my grandpa was cracking jokes to lighten the mood. I think my grandpa would want us all to remember his love of jokes and pass on a good joke when we hear one.
I know all of the grandkids will always have fond memories of grandpa, whether it is the fishing and boating we did at grandma and grandpa’s lake house, relaxing vacations at their Arizona home and watching him play softball better than I ever will, or more recently at the farm on Sunday evenings. I truly believe that this family has something special, enjoying the open road on motorcycles together, gathering Sunday evenings for dinner, and coming together to support each other in times of need.
What is my grandpa’s greatest legacy? What is the thing of most value that he has passed on to his children and grandchildren? What will be passed on to the next generation? I hope we all remember his love of life and how he really lived life to its fullest. I think one of my grandpa’s greatest legacies is his family. We have grandma and grandpa to thank for starting this great family that comes together at a moments notice to show support. How truly blessed we all are to have such love and support. That is what I hope to pass on; the love of a close family and the love of life.
May we honor grandpa, the great man that he was and the great life that he lived. I pray that he finds his place in heaven.
From Chad:
Eulogy from Chad Ketcher and read today at the funeral by Jesse.
Warning: this is not as brief as I originally intended. Thanks in advance for your patience as I deliver my eulogy electronically.
My family and I will not be able to attend the funeral, which grieves us deeply, but we are glad that we got to spend some time with him before he moved. I have often thought what I would say if asked to give a eulogy. A hundred things came to mind. If I had actually delivered it, the audience and I would all have been exhausted by the end. So much to say about him and how he impacted us all. My heart is with whomever steps up to speak. Each of us has a long story to tell...each capturing a unique aspect of what it is like to know him. Not was...is. He is not in his body, but he is very much alive. I'm sure he has much he would like to say to us as well.
I regret that I didn't get one more opportunity to play cards with him here before he moved to his new place, but I will have all of eternity to play with him on the other side (and trust me, I will). It won't be quite the same because he won't cuss at the cards or make obscene comments and gestures to his partners, which is part of what made the game so entertaining, but I look forward to it nonetheless.
I have tried several times over the years to take an interest in pro football, but I can sit and watch a game all afternoon and not get a thing out of it because it's just not right without Grandpa barking at the TV. I realized some time ago that I don't care about the game all that much...it's the time I spent with him, Jeff, and Greg. Sunday afternoons, with the ladies upstairs cooking. It was so important to me that one time, when I called to ask permission to come over to watch the game, Grandpa said I was already knocking on his door before he had hung up the phone. Do you have any idea how many people - how many families - don't have something like that to look back on? We are blessed.
I find it soothing to think that Grandpa will be spending Christmas with HIS mom and dad and sister for the first time in how many years. Yes, ours will be emptier without him, but his will be joyful beyond compare.
In his new place, there are no weeds in the yard, horseshoes always fly straight, and the Twins always win the pennant. Noone gives ties for Christmas. You don't have to have two residences 1,500 miles apart to enjoy nice weather all year long, and everyone there has long since forgotten about his perm. Ann Kranz will walk over him to greet him. Everything that confused him makes sense to him now.
His work ethic is an example to us all, as is his easy-going manner. He is, and always will be, a good man, even if we can't see him.
Grandpa, we love you and my little family is better because we knew you.
Warning: this is not as brief as I originally intended. Thanks in advance for your patience as I deliver my eulogy electronically.
My family and I will not be able to attend the funeral, which grieves us deeply, but we are glad that we got to spend some time with him before he moved. I have often thought what I would say if asked to give a eulogy. A hundred things came to mind. If I had actually delivered it, the audience and I would all have been exhausted by the end. So much to say about him and how he impacted us all. My heart is with whomever steps up to speak. Each of us has a long story to tell...each capturing a unique aspect of what it is like to know him. Not was...is. He is not in his body, but he is very much alive. I'm sure he has much he would like to say to us as well.
I regret that I didn't get one more opportunity to play cards with him here before he moved to his new place, but I will have all of eternity to play with him on the other side (and trust me, I will). It won't be quite the same because he won't cuss at the cards or make obscene comments and gestures to his partners, which is part of what made the game so entertaining, but I look forward to it nonetheless.
I have tried several times over the years to take an interest in pro football, but I can sit and watch a game all afternoon and not get a thing out of it because it's just not right without Grandpa barking at the TV. I realized some time ago that I don't care about the game all that much...it's the time I spent with him, Jeff, and Greg. Sunday afternoons, with the ladies upstairs cooking. It was so important to me that one time, when I called to ask permission to come over to watch the game, Grandpa said I was already knocking on his door before he had hung up the phone. Do you have any idea how many people - how many families - don't have something like that to look back on? We are blessed.
I find it soothing to think that Grandpa will be spending Christmas with HIS mom and dad and sister for the first time in how many years. Yes, ours will be emptier without him, but his will be joyful beyond compare.
In his new place, there are no weeds in the yard, horseshoes always fly straight, and the Twins always win the pennant. Noone gives ties for Christmas. You don't have to have two residences 1,500 miles apart to enjoy nice weather all year long, and everyone there has long since forgotten about his perm. Ann Kranz will walk over him to greet him. Everything that confused him makes sense to him now.
His work ethic is an example to us all, as is his easy-going manner. He is, and always will be, a good man, even if we can't see him.
Grandpa, we love you and my little family is better because we knew you.
Gone from my Sight:
WHAT IS DYING?
I am standing on the sea shore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object
of beauty and I stand
and watch her until at last she
fades on the horizon.
Then someone at my side says
"There she has gone" -
gone where?
Gone from my sight - that is all.
She is just as large in the mast,
hull and spars as she was
when she left my side. The
diminished size and total loss
of sight is in me and not in her,
and just at that moment when
someone by my side says
"She's gone" others on a distant
shore take up
the glad shout -
"There she comes!"
Bishop Brent
Bishop of the Philippines
1862 - 1929
I am standing on the sea shore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object
of beauty and I stand
and watch her until at last she
fades on the horizon.
Then someone at my side says
"There she has gone" -
gone where?
Gone from my sight - that is all.
She is just as large in the mast,
hull and spars as she was
when she left my side. The
diminished size and total loss
of sight is in me and not in her,
and just at that moment when
someone by my side says
"She's gone" others on a distant
shore take up
the glad shout -
"There she comes!"
Bishop Brent
Bishop of the Philippines
1862 - 1929
1 comment:
Nice post. Thanks for reprinting those eulogies. It was great to read them again. Funny how the oldest and youngest grandchild hit so many of the same notes. I think the motorcycle picture was also dad's favorite.
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