Memorial Service

On Wednesday, June 18, Bethany and Scott picked me up from work and we went to Mankato for the annual synodical memorial service in which Opa was to be memorialized. Alexis and Marissa were along (Jeremy at basketball camp). It was delightful riding in the car with them. Present at the service were Bob & Ruthann, Tom & Judy, before-mentioned Sieverts, Bekah with Aria, Owen and Hunter (husband Jeremy in undisclosed location), Matt (Ruth and Jordan at baseball game). Bible reading was Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16, 38-40. Pastor Wosche gave a talk on Luke 2:29-32 "This World Is Not My Home.". He referred to each of the five people memorialized in his sermon, and when he mentioned Opa he called him Arnold and not A.V., which I thought odd. Only two hymns were sung. The congregation sang I'm But a Stranger Here and a pastoral singing group sang All Men Living Are But Mortal. Pastoral singing these days seems to be less suave than I perhaps remember it. Not that it was ever very suave. Service was followed by a receiving line with all the families so shook hands with a ton of people who remembered me but I didn't remember them. Saw my old roommate Lois and her mom there. After service had a grand time at Andy and Laurie's. Brats. Hotdogs. Watermelon. Got to know 7-month-old Hunter a little.