Sunday, March 27, 2011

Back home

This past week was a sad week. My step father in law passed away in Texas. We left Wednesday for a 10 hour drive. We arrived two hours before the evening prayer service. C.L. was 84 years old. Let me tell you a little story about him. He and my Mother-in-law had dated in 1943 when they were both 17 years old. Things didn't work out for them and they went their separate ways. CL went to the panhandle of Texas and got involved with custom harvesting. In 1951 he married Ludeen McAdams, together they had 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. My mother-in-law stayed here in the area and in 1948 married Henry Tappel, together they had 8 children. 5 girls and 3 boys. CL's wife died in 1995 and my father in law died in 1986. In 1999, CL was back in Missouri and found out that my MIL was a widow. He decided to stop and visit. The rest is history. So at the age of 71 (just the opposite of when they were dating) they were married. And she moved from Missouri to Texas. They had a good 10 1/2 years together later in life. The funeral was the coming together of two large families. After the prayer service on Wednesday, the parish prepared a wonderful evening meal. It was held in the parish hall, as no house was big enough for 16 married children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, 18 step-grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 18 great step-grandchildren. Plus C. L. was one of 15 children. This picture shows us having a toast to C.L. with his favorite wine, hosted by his children. The funeral was held on Thursday. The church was packed, not only with family, but lots of friends. After the service the parish not only prepared lunch, but invited us back for evening meal.
Friday night most of the family had headed back home. It was quiet time for my MIL and three of her children who stayed to help her out. The girls all pitched in to do 4 or 5 loads of bedding and towels and to assist her with a wonderful meal.



However, no one can make pies like her. She made apricot and cherry and, as usual, they were picture perfect and delicious.



Rest in peace C.L.


This is the view they have out their back windows. It's the Cross of the highway at Groom Texas.
And this video is to show you what it's like when a bunch of the Wiebergs and Tappels get together!

13 comments:

Lori said...

So sorry for your family's loss.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Sometimes when the sad things in life happen, the best of human nature is revealed. It sounds like you have a wonderful, caring family. I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that you had this time together, to draw strength and encouragement and love from each other. Hugs to you.

Bernie said...

Sorry for your loss but isn't it wonderful to have the support of such a wonderful family...:-)Hugs

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

I am so sorry for your loss...but, wow! What a beautiful story. They were certainly blessed for years and years. And how wonderful to be a part of such a huge family! God does work in mysterious ways...
xo, misha

Rural Rambler said...

Patti so sorry. What a wonderful story you tell here though. We are all so lucky to find someone to go thru life with and this seemed meant to be. Goodness lots of talkin' going on in that video! Lots of family there to help get you thru all the rough patches and to help celebrate the good!

Unknown said...

I am sorry, but what a heart warming story.

Deanna said...

I'm so glad that your MIL and CL found each other in the later years of their lives - all those many years later. What a love story. I love it that everyone had a toast with his favorite wine. Special times during sad ones.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Patti I'm so sorry that you've lost your beloved father-in-love. You will all miss him I know but what wonderful memories you have. I've added you to my prayer list today. blessings, marlene

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I am sorry for your loss. Isn't it wonderful they found each other later in life? And now you are part of a wonderful, large extended family to share good times with as well as the sad. ((hugs))

Flat Creek Farm said...

I'll try this again as Blogger had an error on my first comment. I'm so very sorry about your father-in-law. I do remember the sweet story you told me a couple years ago about them (on our little shopping excursion). It stuck with me. What a wonderful, large & combined family to share the burdens and celebrate his life. Bless all of you! -Tammy

Diana LaMarre said...

So sorry for your family's loss, Patti.

It sounds like CL had a big loving family -- what a lucky man he was to find love the second time in his later years.

May he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Im sorry for your loss. I love that picture of the cross at the bottom.

Tipper said...

Oh I'm so sorry. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.