Grandma Skolmoski's Funeral

The circumstances for why my extended family gathered together were sad, but it was wonderful to see them and especially my parents who flew in from their mission from Copenhagen, Denmark. We spent the entire weekend chatting and catching up and enjoying being together (without kid interruptions!).  My grandma had dementia, and I know the last few years have been very difficult for my aunt, uncle, and cousins caring for her. The morning she passed away, we had been fasting as a family that she would join my grandpa. We know they were excited to be together again.

Thursday night viewing

Mom and her siblings

Friday morning funeral

The pallbearers (all the male grandchildren in attendance)

Waiting for the funeral to begin

Mom and her siblings

Mom and her older sister, Stephanie

Pete and his family

Pete joked with my grandma that he would wear her crocheted rags that she was always working on at her funeral. I thought it was such a sweet sentiment.

My family

My siblings (minus Clayton)

Mom and her girls

All the grandchildren, minus a few

Cousins

Ali and I went to Academy for Girls together every summer growing up

Temple Square 

This is where my dad proposed to my mom

Temple square visitor's center

City Creek shopping center

Kolaches for breakfast Saturday morning

Kolaches aren't super popular in Utah. Funny enough we found out the owner of the Salt Lake and Provo stores is actually from Sugarland, TX and had a lot of TX paraphernalia in the store.

Provo City Center temple

We did a session together.

Late night pizza after the temple session

Something severely lacking in the funeral/viewing was people sharing memories of my grandma. I wish that could have been a part of it since I don't feel like I knew her as well having moved away from Utah when I was 7. So after pizza, my parents shared memories of my mom's parents.

Another thing forever memorable and so special about the trip is that my dad gave us all priesthood blessings that night. Such a powerful experience all together. 

I debated over and over again about going because it was last-minute, plane tickets were expensive, my husband couldn't get time off work, and I would be asking a lot from people to help take care of my boys (baseball games!). I am forever grateful to Matt's mom and Kari for helping so that I could have this unforgettable experience. Some things you just can't put a price tag on!

Family

This Thanksgiving I am really grateful for family. My dad's mother passed away November 12, 2011 and we celebrated her life this past weekend in Utah. It was wonderful that so many could gather together on short notice to support my grandpa and reflect on my grandma's life; all but 4 grandchildren were able to attend the funeral. During the funeral services, I loved hearing from my dad's brothers and sisters about their memories of Grandma. There were some very tender moments, but I also was able to learn things about my grandma's life that I didn't know. To sum up my grandmother's life, she led a life of service and charity. She had a testimony of Jesus Christ, and her greatest hope for all of her posterity was to continue our faith and honor the covenants we have made in the temple. Most of my memories of my grandma are before I moved from Utah when I was 7. She loved having her grandchildren over, and I could always feel that love. I loved my grandma's house because she would give me sugar cereals, which weren't allowed at my house; she always had candy or treats. We played games frequently at her house. I loved playing games with all my cousins in the basement of her house...lots of "Murder in the Dark" as we grew older and visited for Christmas. Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's involved gathering around the player piano and singing Christmas songs. It was also so special to have my grandparents at my wedding in 2006.

My grandma was diagnosed with kidney cancer several years ago. I remember gathering for one "final" family reunion in 2007 when I was pregnant with Caleb. We did not expect my grandma to live much longer. I was earning my Master's Degree at the time and was able to finagle my way out of a mandatory class because my grandma was pretty much on her deathbed. She was a fighter though and continued to fight in order to take care of my grandpa who struggles with Alzheimer's. It was difficult to see my grandpa deal with the funeral. Some days he is more lucid than others. We're hoping that he will be able to join her soon and continue the mission they have led on earth on the other side.

Some pictures from the funeral:

My grandma and grandpa on their wedding day

All my aunts and uncles on my dad's side.

Saying goodbye

Grandma loved the bagged pipes

Sisters

All the male grandchildren minus my brother Jared.

Dad's 4 sisters and 1 brother + Grandpa

Our family minus some spouses and Jared's family. Lots of closed eyes in this picture :o)

I was really grateful to be able to attend. Matt stayed home with the kids and amazed me when I got back with how well he survived 3 days alone with the kids. I came home to an impeccably clean house! His sacrifice was very much appreciated.