A fond farewell.

Aunt Betty, Bill and Cousin Linda

Today was my Aunt Betty's funeral, last weekend my cousin Linda called to tell me that her mother had passed away on March 24th. Betty was my mother's brother's first wife. I may have seen my "uncle" three times over the years. He was a nice guest, but my Aunt Betty and her second husband, Uncle Ole - they were family.

Gini, Linda, and Peg

We were lucky to be able to have them as family. Aunt Betty may have wanted her girls to have extended family and Uncle Ole certainly was happy to have a family - daughters, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. It was with effort made by our parents that cousins, aunts, and uncles were not merely "related" - but became family.

Visits were made back and forth over the years. Mom, Dad, Ole and Betty enjoyed at least one trip to Wisconsin visiting Aunt Betty's daughter, Gini, at her resort. Weddings were attended and grandchildren celebrated.

Uncle Ole, Aunt Betty and Vicki

Uncle Ole and Dad at Gini's

 

Hubby and I had just built the house the last time Aunt Betty and Uncle Ole visited. Sadly, Ole's memory was beginning to go but as he took a tour of our house, he said, "I used to be a pretty good carpenter before I retired you know, and your house is very well built."

Aunt Betty loved receiving snail mail and usually would give me a quick call of thanks after receiving a card or letter. During one of our last calls she sadly asked if I knew her second daughter, Peggy, had passed away. She said she never thought that she would outlive two daughters. It just wasn't the way things were supposed to be.

She was a great lady and we are grateful that she made the effort to be a part of our family over the years. Aunt Betty will be missed by her Montana family!

Aunt Betty

Uncle Ole