Victoria Gazette - Letters to the Editor

Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

To the Editor:

What a lovely piece you wrote about your mama's death. You always do a great job, and now we learn that you inherited the writing gene from your dear mother.

Betty was truly a delightful lady. I got to know her through the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. At a workshop of the International Affairs Commission, when I was encouraging young folks to recycle, I held up your paper with an article (or something) pertaining to "reuse, reduce, and recycle," and she came up to me later and told me her daughter wrote it.

Your mother did so many good things for the church, the community, and, yes, even the world. It was a pleasure to get to know her. May your faith in God's steadfast love comfort and console you.

I am the Judy Schindler who used to play the organ at St. Victoria. We moved to Bird Island in 1972. I still play the piano at church. Started playing for novenas when I was 12 and now, 68 years later ,...

Judy (and Bob) Schindler, Hector, Minnesota

To the Editor:

The illness of your mom often was a topic at home and on the phone with Benny too. It recalled my first visit to Ghent, Minnesota, and the Claeys farm in September 1982. It was at my request and through Theona Jennen of Fergus Falls, that I ended up in Ghent.

The underlying idea was, to have an idea, how to study the young people, having an idea of an American school, the courses, the study matters, their ambitions, etc. I admit it was surprising to me, particularly they went to school by car, your brothers Paul and Matt.

Your mom took me under her wings and I felt immediately at home, really at home, because I met also "a piece of Flemish lifestyle, in thinking, working, the love for the country, the Flemish cookery, and, last but not least, tasty Minnesota bacon."

I also now think back in the Victoria Gazette with the title, "Look to Mom's Hands." If I summarize all this, I may say your parents had a great sense of duty, working on the land, a solid Christian conviction and family spirit. All this determined their thinking, acting, and speaking. You could build on their trust.

We admire your dad, all of you, and what you did for your mom. We say here that her children stood by her and blessed her. Her husband praised her. We know there are many skilled women in the world, but your mom surpassed them all.

We too know what dementia can cause in a family. Although is so much written about it, but also being reticent. Medical is it still a big mystery. Not recognizing your family member, a friend, it is hard to understand or get used to it. Sometimes there is a bright moment, a happy smile, and the person knows who you are. This gives you a happy feeling and personally you are glad that you were there. It gives you a sparkle of hope.

We wish your dad, you, and the whole family the strength to overcome the loss of your mom. "A mother never dies as long as your mother's children see, so long as will Mother live."

Theofiel and Josee Keymis, Dilsen, Belgium

To the Editor:

We are sorry to hear about your mom. You and your entire family are in our thought and prayers. Seems pretty clear where your love for life comes from.

Tim and Sue Phenow

Maple Grove, Minnesota

To the Editor:

My mom passed in 2004 and I think of her every day, missing her presence in my life. In the years since Mom's death, one thing that has helped me is to go outside and look up, look up at the sky and wonder, look up at the clouds and imagine, look up at the heavens and believe. There is a perfect comfort in looking up, and when you feel a gentle breeze touch your face, know your own loving angel is always flying close by.

Judy Janish, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Hi, Sue. We hadn't been to Trophy Gardens in Alamo, Texas, for five years, after wintering there from 2007 to 2013. On our way we drove by the Alamo Country Club in early February when we first got down here. We thought of your folks when we stopped in to see them around 12 years ago. They had such a beautiful place on the golf course. Our sympathy to you on your mom's passing.

Marlys and Marv Timm, Loretto, Minnesota

MANY MORE LETTERS IN THE PAPER EDITION.