Wallace Family of Omaha

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Kenneth's Wallace Grandparents in Omaha.  Years ago we used to catch up with them whenever we were in Utah at the same time. In recent years they have not been well enough for travel.  Shirley has been visiting them often and asked us to plan a trip soon as she would be going out again to accompany her mother to the doctor. My suggestion was October as summers are so short here in Seattle and traveling during the summer is shame when it's finally warm and sunny and great weather for being outdoors.  Instead we made last minute plans to fly out to Omaha within just a few short weeks.

Omaha, Nebraska is so much more green than I thought.  Sprawling suburbs much like Utah with wide roads and large parking lots and landscaping around businesses (no shortage of land here) and tons of trees!  I guess I always imagined all of Nebraska to be the color of golden wheat.  We arrived in Omaha earlier than we thought and stopped by to say hello to everyone at the Wallace Family home before we checked into our hotel.  Shirley had driven from Utah along with Greg and her sister Cindy.   Grandpa and Grandma have a sweet little home in a quiet neighborhood. Grandpa has cultivated the entire back, sides and even some of the front lawn in to a garden, which he cares for all day long every day.  Very impressive! 

Wednesday we all went out for a nice lunch.  The boys got to work on some heavy lifting projects Shirley had been saving for them.

Thursday morning Shirley took Grandma to her doctor appointment.  Afterwards she and Greg joined us on a visit to LDS Winter Quarters where the pioneers fleeing from Nauvoo stopped for two winters.  For 15 years Grandpa and Grandma Wallace were caretakers of the property around the cemetery where a modern LDS temple has since been built.

That afternoon Shirley's brother Sam joined us for dinner.  Grandpa Wallace and Shirley prepared Grandma's famous steak and gravy for the occasion.

The day before Kenneth and Greg realized there was a Triple-A stadium in town, home of the Storm Chases (Kansas City Royals) and that the Ohio Cubs (Chicago Cubs) were in town.  We dismissed the idea of catching a game.  But on our way back to the hotel Kenneth decided the game was probably only and inning or two in and we should just go for it.

The stadium is truly one of those 'field of dreams"' in the middle of cornfields outside of town.  While walking up to the gate it was obvious we had picked a busy night as it was $2 beer night.  The stadium was packed.  Someone must have heard us talking about where we needed to go to get tickets and a young man at the gate gave us 3 free tickets just a couple rows over the dugout.  A pretty fun little field. Kenneth caught a flip up from one of the Cubs players as they ran into the dugout after the inning. Triple-A baseball is always a lot of fun.  From the "second inning snack boy" who served cheese-it's and sunflower seeds to the players on the field to the mascot races... very cute, family fun entertainment.  Throughout the game the announcer played music and the crowd got excited waving their hats to "stir up the storm." 

Friday we said goodbye to Shirley, Cindy and Grandma and Grandpa Wallace and we Greg and his belongings in our rental car for the next leg of our journey....

Father's Name

A bit of a somber Father's Day this year... Father’s Family Name You got it from your father It was all he had to give So it's yours to use and cherish For as long as you may live If you lost the watch he gave you It can always be replaced; But a black mark on your name Can never be erased It was clean the day you took it And a worthy name to bear When he got it from his father There was no dishonor there So make sure you guard it wisely After all is said and done You'll be glad the name is spotless When you give it to your son

HARDY

HARDY

The name of the front of the jersey

 represents who you play for,

the name on the back of the jersey

 represents who raised you.

Do them both justice.

  

The Hardy Boys

 

Brothers

 

Rag Tag Whiffle Bag Team

 Play Ball!

The Letter

Dennis Awsumb, Duane Hardy,

Little Awsumb and Kenneth Hardy

October 2006 Awsumb's 5th Birthday

 Mariner's Dugout

Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington

 

When we first learned that Duane was sick my father was among the first to invite us to come stay at his home anytime at a moments notice so that we could visit and spend time with the Hardy family during what he knew would be a tough next so many months. 

During this time my father was very busy and traveling lot. He didn't want to intrude and didn't know what he could do.  And in the end Duane went pretty fast. 

Kenneth and I grew up just 2 streets apart and our families went way back and our fathers had always been friends.  Our little brothers played ball together.  Our fathers played church sports together.  They also served together in the church clerk's office.

So when we drove out for the funeral my father told me he really wanted to share some things with Shirley but didn't know if he could be composed enough to do it. My reply, "Say it in a Hallmark."  The next morning he left specially selected cards out for Kenneth and Shirley that included the letter below.

This past few weeks many people have been especially kind to us, sharing cards, flowers, plants or asking where they could send a donation or simply a hug and an "I'm sorry."  But this letter has touched us all the most and I will keep it as a treasure for my son to have to remember that his Grandfathers were friends and both loved him very much.  I hope Awsumb learns from both of our fathers about commitment, working hard and their sacrifice and service to our country.  This letter encompassed so much of what Duane meant to all of us and Kenneth's family even decided it needed to be read during his memorial service.

Kenneth and I are so blessed to have grown up with such outstanding fathers!

So with my father's permission, the letter:

Duane Taught Me Many Things

Duane taught me to be passionate about many things - whatever Duane was doing he gave it his full attention. If Duane was playing ball or doing finance work for the Church it was the only thing that mattered at the time.

Duane taught me to never give up.  If we were playing softball and were down by 10 runs Duane would say we are still in this and many times we would win the game.

Duane taught me to never wear glasses in the ocean.  Once when we were in California he lost his glasses in the ocean, from that day on I never wore my glasses in the ocean.

Duane taught me to be helpful to other people.  Many times he would figure out a way to help a neighbor in need either by doing the task himself or finding someone else that could help.

Duane taught me to always be the first one "there."  Duane always liked to be at the opening day of any event - like a Bees or Trappers game.  I enjoy to this day going to things on the opening day.

Duane taught me to never run up a score on another team. Once at a BYU football game BYU was way behind and the other team kept scoring.  Duane said, "LaVell Edwards would never do that."  So I try to never run up a score on anybody.

Duane taught me to see into the future.  When a ball diamond was being built behind the church Duane was always the first one to sign up to work on the field, whether to rake the rocks or lay the sod.  As we raked those rocks and laid the sod, Duane would say, "This will be a great ball field some day."

Duane taught me to always support my wife.  Duane and Shirley had many different interests from each other and supported each other in those interests.

Duane taught me to love my kids no matter what. Duane was always interested and proud of each of his children's interests and accomplishments.

Duane taught me to plan ahead - we spent time together in the ward clerk's office planning how to get Wendy and Kenneth to go out with each other - it was one of the best things we did as a team.  As a result we share a wonderful grandson.

Duane taught me many things - I will miss that guy.

-Dennis Awsumb

A funeral is not a day in a lifetime, but a lifetime in a day

I still haven't uploaded my own photos... more to follow later.

 

All three brothers spoke at their father's funeral.  The day was crisp with mostly blue skies.  Snow fell as we followed the casket out of the church.  Duane was buried in a cemetery just a street over from the Hardy family home.  I actually walked across this cemetery regularly as a child to get ice cream in the summers at the Winder Dairy on the other side.  How odd to go to this place where I skipped through in shorts on a hot summer day to bury someone we actually knew and loved.

 

 

Eric, Greg, Shirley, Kenneth

 

 

 Wendy, Awsumb and Kenneth, Shirley and Greg, Eric and Shilo and children

The view of the mountains from the cemetery

 



 

Shirley asked me to put together some things, photos etc. on a table for the viewing and services.  After sorting through Duane's office and given a lot of little treasures this is how we decided to share his life.  What he loved and lived for.

 

I came across the quote recently - a funeral is not a day in a lifetime, but a lifetime in a day.  So true.  And you can never really present everything about who a person is, but I think we did a good job representing family and faith, sacrifice and service, travel and love with his wife Shirley, sports and fun and grandchildren.

 

Duane H. Howard

 Duane Howard Hardy

1947 ~ 2013

Duane Howard Hardy, age 66, born 14 May 1947, passed away Oct. 29, 2013 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He wanted to live with all his heart and was willing to take the toughest of treatment if it would give him another day on earth with his family and friends.

He was born in Salt Lake City to Howard and Eunice Hardy. After graduating from Granite High School in 1965, he served an LDS mission to England. Upon return home, he attended the University of Utah for one year prior to enlisting in the US Air Force in May of 1969. He met his wife Shirley Ann Wallace while she was attending BYU. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple 29 June 1970.

He served in Vietnam from Oct. 1970 to Oct. 1971. He was very patriotic throughout his life. Upon discharge from the Air Force he attended BYU, graduating in 1977 with a degree in journalism. He re-enlisted in the Air National Guard and served until retirement at age 60. He retired from the State of Utah May 30th of 2013.

He was passionate about family, traveling, sports, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; sons, Kenneth (Wendy), Gregory, Eric (Shilo) and 7 grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings, Ron (Marilyn), Laraine (Larry), Brent (Lynette), and Grant (Connie).


This obit ran in the Saturday Deseret News, which included a BYU add directly underneath!  The Hardy boys got a big kick out of that!

Family of Silhoettes

I have previously posted about my love of Silhoette Art.  Why we have never taken time to have our silhoettes made at Disneyland, I don't know.  These were cut by Bonnie, who is a favorite. 

But I must say, the one Awsumb had cut at his school is a much better likeness of him. (click to view)  And Kenneth's... well, I guess it could be a 50's version of him? 

Either way these are an inexpensive souvineer at Disneyland!

Sillouette Art

Awsumb Kenneth Hardy - May 2010

Kerry Cook sillouette artist visited my sons school recently. A true sillouette artist simply looks and cuts, using no shadow or tracing. I LOVE sillouette art as it is so classic. Freehand cut sillouettes are really a lost art. I think this artist did a wonderful job at capturing my little boy. If you have the opportunity to have your child sit for a sillouette artist don't miss out!


Jennie Elizabeth Awsumb 1940

I believe my Great Uncle Kenneth Awsumb, who recently passed away may have cut this sillouette of my Grandmother. Kenneth Awsumb was well known for his handmade greeting cards, which we looked forward to every Christmas. Even if he was not the one who created this image of my Grandmother, I know he would appreciate the art!

15th Wedding Anniversary

My Grandfather, Ardin W. Awsumb died just before my 10th Wedding Anniversary. The funeral was bitter-sweet because although we lost Grandpa, during that week I made new memories of my little boy and my own father as they worked with my Uncle C.K. preparing to close up my Grandparents house. After the funeral we were numb and the day of my 10th Anniversary was pretty quite. The day after, however we decided we needed to pull ourselves together and we spend the day in Disneyland with our little one.

This year Kenneth and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary in the San Juan Islands. This was the first trip in 15 years that I have been on with Kenneth - WITHOUT a laptop! We didn't even have a cellphone connection while on the island. We rented a log cabin, which Awsumb begged for us to stay in every summer here after. And although the accomodations at Lakedale Resort were pretty nice (a full kitchen, electricity, a master suite, and a loft bedroom for Awsumb with his own bathroom) and the brocure called it "Glamping" I still can hold it over Kenneth's head that he took me CAMPING for our 15th Wedding Anniversary!

We had the most spectacular dinner at The Duck Soup Inn, which is worth the drive including a 2 hour boat ride to San Juan Island just for dinner! Open only on the weekends and serving organic, local, fresh ingredients... this is a true gourmet meal!

We spent the afternoon of our Anniversary picnicing at Lime Kiln Lighthouse and watching for whales. It was a wonderful weekend to just get away and be together and have nothing to do.

Check back for more photos!

When we arrived home we found out my Great Uncle, Kenneth Awsumb had passed away.

(Memorial continued in second post...)

Memorial Day - A Day of Remembrance

Each Memorial Day I take time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. I came across the following thoughts a while back...

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Some people believe holidays like Washington's Birthday, Veteran's Day and Memorial Day should be moved back to their tradition date of celebration in order to preserve the meaning of these events. What do you think?

Although my Grandfather and Great Uncles did not die in their service, I also remember and honor them. I am thankful they were willing to serve.

Kenneth Paul Awsumb
July 3, 1918- May 16, 2010
I remember when I was a young girl, Uncle Kenneth visited our home on a busy summer day. He jumped right into our family activities, playing in a baseball game at the church ballpark with my father and later enjoying a dinner from our garden. He was fun and outgoing, just like my Grandpa Ardin Awsumb. I imagine those Awsumb brothers had a great time growing up together. I am told they lived across from the church where they often participated in church plays. They were silly and fun and shared the same sense of humor.

Roger Awsumb
July 10, 1926 - July 15, 2002
My Uncle Roger Awsumb's memory is preserved as he played Casey Jones on the Lunch with Casey Children's TV show in Minnesota. Although I never met Uncle Roger, my son and I have shared lots of giggles watching video of this silly show.

Ardin W. Awsumb
Sept. 16, 1915 - May 7, 2005
I have shared my favorite picture of my Grandpa Ardin Awsumb before in my post titled THE NOSE . I am sad that I grew up so far away from him, but I am glad he lived long enough to make a few memories with my son who I shared his name with.

The Totally Awsumb Nose

When I was young I didn't like my nose. It seemed too cute and silly to me… along with my long red hair, freckles and the name 'Wendy.' I didn't want to be silly or cute. I didn't want to be the little girl with long red braids on the Wendy's Hamburgers sign. I wanted to be grown up and sophisticated. I wanted to change my name to be “Nancy Erekson.”

Of course I love my father very much. The very thought of him makes me giggle. And so, over the years I have come to accept this nose, as it is also my father’s nose. And of course now my little one has the nose.

Dennis Awsumb 1970

Ardin Awsumb 1942

So one day this summer I showed Awsumb these two photos my father and his father. I love these photos because together, they show a father and son in a rare state, at the same age…. Both about to take on the world, with maybe uncertain futures at the start of their service in the U.S. Army.

So I said to Awsumb, “Look at Great Grandpa’s nose and my Dad’s nose. Can you see that they have the same nose.” He studied the photos for a while and I said, "Now, look at MY nose.” And he recognized it as the same nose. Then I said, now go look in the mirror at your nose. And he ran to the bathroom making those cute little pitter-pats that I will never grow tired of hearing. After a moment I heard him exclaim, “I have the nose.” Then he ran back to proudly show me that he was of course a true Awsumb because he had THE NOSE!

And because it drives me totally nuts when other people put music on their blogs and webpages... Here is a link to appropriate accompaniment to this post! Pictures of You From one of my favorite CD's (do they even call them that anymore) Poison Kiss by The Last Goodnight