Good-bye to Denny Ward

On Tuesday we rolled out of the rack early to head west to Milbank, South Dakota to say, "Good-bye" to Karyl's uncle Denny. Denny was a man filled with life, laughter, and love for those around him -- a much loved father, husband, and uncle.

We left at 6:30 and Susan drove the Tahoe ("Thank you" to Mike for loaning us the Tahoe for the day) all the way there like a woman possessed. Being a nervous-nelly, backseat driver I have to say that Susan made good decisions on the driving -- both going and on the longer trip home.

We made it to St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank just in time. All the relatives gathered for final instructions and then we went in for the funeral. It was a nice service, but it had the worst sermon ever delivered at a funeral.

[Here are the details about the worst sermon ever---feel free to skip this rant if you just want to know about Denny's day.] The pastor in charge told a story about how two different events came together and over lapped. One of the stories was Denny finally dying last Friday night after being in the hospital for two weeks after falling and cracking his skull. The second story had to do with a young couple who came to the hospital on Friday to deliver their second stillborn child. What do they have in common? The minister used the same speech to both families. Yes, that was what the two stories have in common. That was this guy's "A" game on this day. How in the blue blazes of [Note to reader: I am now foaming at the mouth - this sermon was so bad.] It took the minister forever to tell the story of the young couple and I think we thought that with Denny's passing there would be some good news for the young couple -- there second attempt at having a child was successful, or something positive. NOPE. Basically this sermon had NOTHING to do with Denny and everything to do with this minister and his inability to render any meaningful words to either family. This sermon was about him, and it really should have been about Denny.

So after we survived the sermon we had a very touching lunch in the church basement and then it was on to Revilo, twenty miles away to lay Denny to rest. Here the family is releasing balloons into the air as they say their good-byes.

The next picture is June saying her final "Good-bye" to her younger brother.

The past two weeks have been hard on everyone in the Ward clan, and that would include June.

The lug to the left is the world's worst minister (my profound sympathies to the poor folks in Milbank who are doomed to suffer through more sermons from this bozo).

Here Pat Ward and June comfort Marion.

Here Connie, June, and Susan offer Marion (June's younger sister) some comfort. Marion was quite moved at Denny's passing; God love her.

After laying Denny to rest, we wandered over to visit the graves of Thina and John Ward, and June's brother, Roger, who died several years ago.

This is Marion Ward Kelzer and her family. Brad, Marion, Gene, Tom and his wife, Deanna.

Denny, thanks for the jokes and the laughs. It was great to have known you, and your memory and example live on in our hearts and minds. Peace.