A little background info on who is Grandma Bert. Grandma Bert is my stepdad Big D's mom. Big D's has been my stepdad since I was about 5 years old. So in reality, Grandma Bert is in fact our Grandma. She is originally from Iowa and would come down to Texas for about 3 months out of every year and stay at mom and Big D's house. Usually it would be from Nov to Jan. She was the typical small town lady a little frightened by the big city life. But she was very opinionated and loved to play Yahtzee. We knew that if grandma Bert was there, we could almost guarantee a 5 hour Yahtzee-athon.
In the last few months, Grandma Bert went back to Iowa to get treatment and be closer to family (all of her kids/family are in Iowa, except for us). She did not get better and was finally at peace on Sunday, September 14th.
We were actually in the midddle of the Ike aftermath and I was at home with my hubby, MIL and BIL - where as the rest of my family (Mom, Big D, Sister Ellie and brother Moosekey - along with all my mom's family) were at my aunt's house. My aunt was the only one with power and so everyone 'evacuated' to their house to get away from the heat and boredom that I could not escape because of massive flooding that prevented us from going to there as well (along with other MIL/BIL issues).
On Sunday - a day and half after the storm - they were all there at my aunt's house hanging out when Big D got the news that Gma Bert had passed and he had to break the news to everyone else. Once my sis had heard, she immediately texted, called, texted, called and tried to get a hold of me to tell me but cell service (because of IKE) had messed up. She finally got a hold of me and told me the news. My heart broke in two. How could this be happening. How could I not be there with my family. I felt all alone (even though my hubby, MIL and BIL where there in the house with me) I wanted to jump in the car and leave - but I didn't know how the roads where, I didn't know if I would even make it out of the driveway, or if I would even get far enough... I was soo hurt...
The next dayHubby had to go to work so I was home alone with MIL and BIL. I spoke to my aunt Vern on the phone and she told me more of how everyone had reacted and how things had progressed. She further told me that my Mom, Big D and Moosekey were going straight to Iowa. I mean like, don't pass go, don't collect 200 dollars - like grab some clothes, hop in the car and hightail it outta dodge. I was in even more pain and hurt and I was soo mad that I could not be there with them, even just to give them a kiss and send them on their way. Hubby came home early and I was frantically cleaning and saying that I didn't want to be at the house by myself (we were taking my in laws to their home as it was in good shape - they had power) the next day since he had to go to work and I didn't. We were trying to figure things out and then my BIL said something - I don't even know what he said - but I broke down. I ran out of the kitchen and through the door to the garage. I ran into the garage (into the dark - no light and the overhead door was closed) and kept running to open the overhead door to get some air. I stood there in the driveway, with the sun beating on my face, tears streaming and not being able to breath. I just couldn't take it - no power, no family, no Grandma Bert! I prayed. I prayed for understanding, for peace, for patience, and air. I just prayed that I would not completely break.
In what seemed like hours (probably only minutes) hubby came out and gave me a hug and told me that we would be fine. I beleived him, because I had prayed it.
I know I have probably talked too much about how we found out and the way things unfolded on my side, but I know it's the best way to grieve... to just talk about it.
Here is the Obit on the Funeral Home Website. She looks just like I will always remember... beautiful!
In Loving Memory of Bertha P. Koenck April 6, 1940 ~ September 14, 2008
SERVICES Zion Lutheran Church Ruthven, Iowa Thursday, September 18, 2008, 11:00 A.M.
CLERGY Rev. Luther Thoresen
MUSIC Marge Trelstad ~ Organist Kari Tindal ~ Vocalist
HONORARY BEARERS Adriana Faz Elizabeth Hernandez David Koenck, Jr. Brian Titus Cristina Joiner Jacob Hutchison Zachary Hutchison Aaron Hutchison Carter Koenck Mara Koenck Amanda Vanderhoff CASKET BEARERS Dennis Koenck Daniel Koenck Daren Koenck Brandon Titus Ron Hutchison Dennis Koenck, II
INTERMENT Evergreen Cemetery Emmetsburg, Iowa
Bertha Pauline Koenck, daughter of Oscar and Ruth (Sampson) Lee, was born April 6, 1940 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She began her education in Cylinder and Emmetsburg. She received her G.E.D. from Iowa Lakes Community College in 1980. Bertha was employed as a C.N.A. at Lakeside Lutheran Home and Emmetsburg Care Center. She also was the owner and operator of the Redwood Café in Emmetsburg. Bertha worked at the Emmetsburg Public Library as well as the college library. Bertha collected swans and enjoyed putting puzzles together. She did a lot of crafts and loved playing Yahtzee. She liked all types of puzzles but especially word finds and crossword puzzles. Bertha’s greatest love of all was her family. She always looked out for her family whether it was her brothers and sisters or her children. She will be remembered as “Grandma Bert”. Bertha died Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Home in Laurens, Iowa at the age of 68.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dale Lee and Ron Lee; and a sister, Betty Moen. She is survived by her children, Dennis and Deb Koenck of Houston, Texas, Dan and Denise Koenck of Laurens, Iowa, David Koenck of Curlew, Iowa, Jill Koenck of Burt, Iowa, Kimberly and Ron Hutchison of Mallard, Iowa and Daren and Suzy Koenck of Graettinger, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two brothers, Bernard Lee of Avoca, Iowa and Jarrett Lee of Tuttle, Oklahoma; four sisters, Beverly Banwart of Rogers, Arkansas, Jeanine Lucy of Treynor, Iowa, Donna Mundus of Waukee, Iowa, and Wanda Spiker of Indianola, Iowa; as well as many other relatives and friends.
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