tribute

Tribute

Kevin & I went to the same K-12 school, not the same class. Library time: taught me auto mechanics. Taught me to ride a motorcycle using his yard/sidewalk. We/others went to Ames/Iowa Falls--movies, hang out. Always nice to visit with his parents--his mother a nurse (helped get metal shard from his eye when installed my car stereo,) his dad a retired carpenter (whose father built a grand farmhouse where my grandparents lived.) We'd shoot each other with low powered bb guns, had heavy coats, goggles... He rolled the family car; he/his dad were eager to show me where a guide wire dug into the metal... I went to Indianola Hot Air Balloon Races with Kevin/his parents--he couldn't get enough aviation; in grad school, Iowa City, piloted planes to Radcliffe's small airport, annual aviation event (Oshkosh, WI)...
   After college, I moved to IA City. He knew I was looking for an apartment rather than staying with my brother; told me about several rooms his med fraternity (U of IA) wanted to rent. I lived at Alpha Kappa Kappa (AKK) 2 1/2 yrs; Kevin was elected president when I moved in. Now I know what med students are REALLY like (they're professional on the job, though.) Lots of fun. U. of IA med school: nation's largest--at that time 4 classes, 175 each; 1 other med dr from Rad: my distant relative Lowell Luhmann, delivered babies in Iowa City. AKK--great way to meet lots of people, learn lots, & shoot a lot of pool (Kevin/I played 2 others, best of 15 games; some parties went 'til 5 a.m.)
   He did residency, Oklahoma City, radiology; fit him well; staff said he had knack for finding peace when disagreements arose.
   He helped build 2 experimental planes from kits; he bought 1 he didn't build.
   Kevin & wife, Sue (around AKK a lot,) bought a house, fixed it up, planned an open house. Kevin, just done with residency & hired by that hospital, was flying back for the open house; maybe a tail section bolt broke; tail section came apart, plane "porpoised," shook apart, hitting ground aprx. 400 mph a mile from the airport; bolt wasn't found. Hospital wing named after him.
   When Kevin prepared to leave friends, he'd say, "Don't talk about me after I leave!" Kev, you're gone, & I'm talking about you.

My dad, a saint.
Knew how to be a successful farmer; farmers sought his advice; elected to county extension council; enjoyed raising registered Hereford cattle. Kind to everyone; great father raising 4 children, a friend to many; marriage made in heaven. Only knew German lang. when started school. Henry helped him to hospital--run over by tractor, mower cut leg, broken ribs & collar bone, crawled towards house; med history made, U of I Hosp., Iowa City (transplanted his blood vessel to leg); I was too young to remember. Gave church camp 1st cabin (was doctor's cabin by IA River;) supported Eden Seminary annually where Harley went (students visited farm). Liked outdoors, picnics, cool summer evening breeze after long day in fields. Age 50, Parkinsons symptoms began (back to U of I clinics), same yr as house storage room fire with much heat/smoke/water damage. Large stroke shortened yrs.; lived 6 mo. after stroke.

From the song "My Dad" by Paul Petersen:
He isn't much in the eyes of the world
He'll never make history
No, he isn't much in the eyes of the world
But he is the world to me

My dad, now here is a man
To me he is everything strong
No, he can't do wrong, my dad

My dad, now he understands
When I bring him troubles to share
Oh, he's always there, my dad

When I was small I felt ten feet tall
When I walked by his side
And everyone would say "That's his son"
And my heart would burst with pride

My dad, oh I love him so
And I only hope that some day
My own son will say
"My dad -- now here is a man"

Henry, my dad's brother.
Appendix pain during WWII army training, NE; they didn't believe him; ruptured, barely survived. Farmed near our farm. I worked for/with him, baling hay/straw, walking beans. Bought my dad's 2 bulls when Dad bought new ones. After Grandpa died, 1st Xmas eve gathering at his farm where Grandpa used to live. Fought cancer; cancer was too much.

Harley, my dad's brother.
In Navy construction batillion, Iwo Jima, WWII. Owned/operated construction business with wife; went to seminary (United Church of Christ;) built hospital, Ghana, Aftrica as missionary; pastor, CA, IA; confirmation students wrote names into concrete stepping stones he made for his garden. In charge of carpentry for my newly wed parents' new house/barns. Gave polished rocks. Built cabins by Pine Lake; designed his hometown retirement house, used 2x12s... from our crib. Very talented/comical. Didn't like to slow down & heart problem too serious.

Marjorie, my mom's sister.
Clown of the family. Baked huge cookies; husband put 2 together to eat. Cancer wouldn't leave.

Grandpa & Grandma, my dad's parents.
I'm youngest of 13 grandchildren (including Gladys' 4, Harley's 1). Annual Texas winter vacations. If Grandma would've had cancer 20 yrs. later, maybe could've survived & knew I existed. Grandpa immigrated from Germany; gave Hershey's bars; hid Easter eggs; on new church building committee (bought/gave extra stones for new church camp bell tower;) planted trees at our place in '40s. Always enjoyed seeing him; we had Xmas eves at his retirement house. When I was in 4th grade, he had athrosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Grandpa & Grandma, my mom's parents.
I'm 4th youngest of 26 grandchildren. I remember Grandma holding me; I remember when Grandpa was so happy to see Mom & me when we visited at his home. I was quite young when Grandpa had cancer, younger when Grandma had a stroke.

Gladys, my dad's sister.
Great host. She/Harley were adopted by their childless great uncle/aunt; wanted to adopt my dad, but was older than Harley, wouldn't stay; still regarded as my aunt, Harley as uncle. Remember last picnic with her; everyone knew she didn't have long; wore dark glasses 'cause of cancer.

Webmaster: John Gelhaus

This page revised 3-4-06

Lassie, the 2nd.
1st grade, I picked her from litter owned by classmate, Randy B. With me whenever outside. Couldn't wait to go to creek when I trapped muskrats. Walked along my hay rack 'till Dad told her to go home. Chased pretend squirrels when we drove down lane. Learned tricks (fed pancakes to learn to roll over; pancakes almost too distracting). After 1st college yr., Dad/I put her in pickup to vet; probably distemper.

Ida, my dad's aunt.
Last of my grandparents' siblings. My dad's pre-funeral with relatives to start soon, she wasn't there from MN yet, knew she would; got there, great to see her. Bustled like no one can bustle 'til stroke.

Lassie, the 1st.
Born before me. When Mom came out to scold brother/me, Lassie would nip at her; we all need a dog like that, don't we? Kindergarten, disappeared; Dad looked for trace in fields throughout seasons; he thought she was probably stolen. After yrs., knew even if had been alive, would now be too old to survive.

My sister Judy.
Humorous, liked to laugh, talk, have fun, very friendly, enthusiastic, liked children a lot. When diagnosed with cancer, had already spread; surgery, chemo, radiation; cancer came back, spread to lungs; lung surgery to remove fluid; 2nd lung surgery used same incision (when in recovery, nurse messed up medication which sent her into major seizure--1st seizure she'd had--then cardiac arrest twice;) finally recovered well from that, but fluid returned & condition deteriorated quickly; Hospice was very good service; cancer took her. Several people at visitation/funeral mentioned she was their best friend; nursing home staff liked her a lot, she was youngest there. At cemetary service (after funeral service at church), 150 geese noisily took off from nearby field; she would've laughed.

Russell, my mom's brother.
Visited with him & his family many times over the years. Always had a story to tell. Was very nice. Maybe some decade there will be cures for what he had--cancer & kidney failure.

My mom, a saint.
No one loved children more. No one. 2nd pregnancy--stillborn, 9th mo. Enjoyed baking, gardening, music, trips (expecially mentioned Carlsbad Caverns, NM); usually hummed as she walked. Had Hospice the last week; you'd think I'd need to comfort her as she faced the end, but it was the other way around--she told me with conviction "You'll be alright , John; you'll be alright." She met her heavenly reward bravely. An irregular heartbeat (despite a pacemaker earlier that year) & congestive heart failure caused very low blood pressure; the congestion caused fluid buildup (including in lungs)--had to be met with medication; medication was hard on kidneys, already not problem-free (kidneys regulate carbon dioxide levels in blood & get rid of toxins.) With not enough oxygen to organs at times & other problems, life here on earth couldn't go on.