MOM’S MEMOIRS – IRENE LOUISE (NEE KUCKKAN) MUELLER
(Continued)

Mom’s Autobiography – Chapter 83 – In Book, Page 200

Mothers Day – 2009, Julia Graduates from Martin Luther College, Gabe Lockrem is Born, Death of Ernie Wendland, Sr., Conner Poston’s Second Birthday, Timmy and Chris Travel to Colombia, Baby Shower for Julia Pasch, Blue Angels at Janesville Airport, Fathers’ Day – 2009, Wedding of Matthew Mueller and Holly Weiss

MAY 10, 2009 – MOTHER’S DAY

As is the custom at Sue and Tim’s, the men serve the mothers. There were four of us – Sue Mueller, Jenny Poston, Joanne Brandt, and me. We were served a sumptuous steak dinner, and given beautiful cards and gifts. We had a wonderful time.

MAY 16, 2009 – JULIE’S GRADUATION AT MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE, NEW ULM, MINNESOTA

We traveled to New Ulm for Julia’s (Pasch) graduation with Joanne and Jerry Brandt. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education – Major: Elementary Education. We are very proud of you, Julie. Of course, the whole Mueller-Poston family was there, also Jerry and Joanne Brandt, and Nicki, Dave, Cassie, Caleb Chmielewski, and Holly Weiss, Matt’s girlfriend. We saw the construction of the new chapel which wasn’t finished, but had its roof on. We all partook of a delicious buffet dinner with all kinds of meats, potatoes, vegetables, desserts, drinks, etc. in the dining room. What a change from the days when I attended Dr. Martin Luther College. We students (about eight at a table) were served a bowl of potatoes, a serving of meat for each student, and a bowl of vegetables. That was it! We never complained, but were thankful to God for the food we received.

After that all of us went to the hotel where we visited and Julie opened gifts. She received a beautiful framed 23rd Psalm needle pointed by her mother, a pot which her sister, Jenny, had decorated, Atlas of the Bible from us, “As For Me And My House, We Will Serve The Lord” wooden plaque from Joanne and Jerry Brandt, a majestic eagle hanging which said, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles – Isaiah 40:31” from Chris, Dairy Queen certificates (I think) from Matt and Holly, and other wonderful gifts and cards. There was a great swimming pool at the hotel which many in the family took advantage of. We had a great time, but then it was time for everyone to wend their way back to their homes.

On the way back to Wisconsin with the Brandts, we stopped at a McDonalds to eat. There was a huge picture of the Beatles, an old juke box with a sign over it which said, “Oldies But Goodies”, and a couple of statues dressed in black suits and black hats. One of them had a microphone in his hand. Dick took my picture with all of the exhibits, and I took his picture with the juke box.

MAY 22, 2009 – GABE TAPPER LOCKREM IS BORN

Gabe, son of Carly (Melody’s daughter) and Carl Lockrem, was born at 11:30 a.m., weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz., and was 20 – ½ in. in length. Abby is his big sister. We wish all of them God’s richest blessings.

MAY 24, 2009 – MISSIONARY-PASTOR ERNST WENDLAND IS CARRIED BY THE ANGELS TO HIS HEAVENLY HOME

“Ernie”, as we called him while missionaries together in Africa with his wife and family was 92 years old when he passed away. Dick and I were not able to travel to Mishicot, Wisconsin, for his funeral, but we did go to Christberg Lutheran Cemetery (where Dick’s Dad and Mom are buried) for Ernie’s burial next to his wife, Betty, their son, John, and Betty’s parents, the Jungkuntzes. Kathy, Ernie’s second wife, invited us to the church to have supper. She said there was a lot of food left from the funeral meal. We enjoyed being with her, the Wendland children who grew up with ours in Africa, and many other people we know.

JUNE 1, 2009 – CONNER CHRISTOPHER POSTON’S 2ND BIRTHDAY

Jenny and Kevin had a great birthday party at their home for Conner’s second birthday. It was a beautiful day, so we all sat out on their deck, visited, and ate a delicious what I think was a “Winnie the Pooh” birthday cake. Conner received some very nice gifts. Kevin had built a great barbecue pit in their back yard behind the deck, so we all climbed down the ladder and sat around the fire roasting marshmallows, and eating S’mores (graham crackers with marshmallow and chocolate between them). It was fun!

JUNE 10 – 22, 2009 – TIMMY AND CHRIS TRAVEL TO SOUTH AMERICA

Timmy and Chris traveled to Bogota, a huge city in Columbia, South America, to visit their friend (son of Pastor David and Mrs. Deborah Carlovsky) who taught religion there. They took many pictures. If anyone is interested, ask them to tell you about their experiences there.

JUNE 13, 2009 – BABY SHOWER FOR JULIA POSTON

Jenny and Nicki hosted a wonderful baby shower for Julie at Jenny’s home, 405 Dewey Avenue, Watertown, Wisconsin. Games were played, and many beautiful baby girl gifts were given. Of course, again the food was incomparable and delectable. And there are some great pictures of pregnant Julie and Jenny with their Mom, Sue, in the middle.

BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW – JANESVILLE AIRPORT

Tim asked the Postons and us to go to the Janesville Airport to watch the Blue Angels (jets). We parked ourselves at the edge of a field near the airport. Wow, what a show! Sometimes a plane would go squealing above us. There were five jets.

FATHER’S DAY – JUNE 21, 2009

Dick received a wonderful Great-Grandfather’s card from Ben, Aiden, Mason, and Theron Anderson, Cary and Grant’s children – and it was signed by each one. It said, “Hope your Father’s Day is great – just like you, Great-Grandpa!”

We attended the worship service at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, and heard Joshua and Jonah sing beautifully with the other Vacation Bible School children. Of course, we were invited to Sue and Tim’s where four fathers were honored. They were: Tim (Mueller), Dick (Mueller), Jerry (Brandt), and Kevin (Poston). And as usual, the food was great, and we had a wonderful time together!

AUGUST 13, 2010 – ANOTHER WEDDING – YES!!! HOLLY NICOLE WEISS AND MATTHEW RYAN MUELLER!! SOOOOO – WE ARE SKIPPING AHEAD TO 2010 AGAIN

Yes, another blessing for our family! How thankful we are! The rehearsal for the wedding was on August 12th at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. And what a time all of us had in getting there! The church is on Wisconsin Avenue which is now under construction. To get there we weaved in and out from Wisconsin Avenue until we finally saw a sign with the name of the church. At one turn we had a huge moving shovel practically over our heads! But all of us safely made it. The rehearsal went smoothly under the direction of Matt’s father, Pastor Timothy Peter Mueller (our son, Tim). After the rehearsal we went back to Watertown to Sue and Tim’s home for a delicious dinner prepared by Sue, our daughter-in-law, who is a great cook and baker. During the evening, Holly and Matt came to Dick and handed him a “Lighted Touch Clock”. This multi-function clock can be activated by touching the LCD panel to display Time/Temperature/Date/Timer Mode. The clock was given to “Grandpa Mueller” to thank him for taking part in their wedding service. Dick is absolutely enthralled with this wonderful and thoughtful gift to him.

After the rehearsal dinner, the ladies departed to Applebees for a Bachelorette party for Holly. There were about 25 ladies there, and all of us enjoyed ourselves. Holly received many lovely gifts.

And then came, AUGUST 13TH, THE WEDDING DAY! It brings me to tears when I think of our loved ones, so smiling, beautiful, and handsome coming down the aisle. And there is little 3-year old Conner Christopher Poston walking down the aisle so brave and smiling. It melted all our hearts. Of course, Holly.and Matt stole the show. My handsome husband (grandfather of the groom) also took part in the ceremony. He had two Bible readings which were: Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – “Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The very meaningful sermon, “The First Wedding Ceremony”, was preached by Matt’s father (our son), Tim. It was based on Matthew 19:4-6 – “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

What a wonderful service it was!