Teina called last week to let me know that aunt Darlene had passed away. 

She has been in pretty bad shape for quite a long time.   She has had several heart attacks, the first one while her and Ken were on a mission in Hawaii.

I was happy for her that she was able to go.  She has been suffering a lot.

I went up early Saturday morning and stopped at Brenda's to ride up the rest of the way with her.  Teina and Lynn were in California with Brad's family for a well deserved vacation.

We pulled into the church right behind  Leslie so we all went in together. It's strange to go back and see people from the old ward and relatives I haven't seen for many years. There's not a lot of mum and daddy's friends left, which is kind of sad, but then I have to remind myself...mum would be 93 if she were still here.   It was good to talk to some of the good old folks though.  So sweet that they would remember me after all these years.

Anyway, I think the most shocking thing was seeing Ken 's kids. They were old....even the ones that were younger than me looked old.  It's probably been 35 years since I've seen some of them..how sad is that?  They were our closest cousins as we were growing up....only lived a few blocks away.

They had two girls out of their eight kids...Lana and Jan.  Lana was Teina's age and Jan was close to Leslie.  Those two haven't changed much at all over the years.

We stood in the line  across the room from the boys and tried to put names with  their faces.   We got the younger ones all wrong.

Aunt Darlene looked so small. Not at all like I remembered her.  Her face was very drawn, but Uncle Ken said she looked very at peace compared to how she looked before she died.   He said she had gotten down to 80 pounds. 

The funeral was really good.  Lana and Jan told about her life, then  Lyle and Kim shared a lot of funny stories about their mom.  It reminded me of  what Kelley's mom went through raising her six boys.  I can't even imagine!  You'd have to be one tough lady!

Then Thayne spoke.  He is one I would have never recognized.  He has lived a wild life and it shows. He looks about 20 years older than he is.   He  said his mother had asked him before she died to talk at her funeral about  the plan of salvation.  Wow, that was powerful.

 I was overcome with a flood of memories as i sat in this chapel.  This was the church I went to all of my growing up years.  This was the picture I looked at every Sunday as I sat in sacrament meeting..  It's really a neat picture....kind of a history of the church all in one painting.

They have changed a lot of things in the building... carpet, color of choir chairs, drapes, even added on, but this picture is still hanging there.  That kind of made me feel at home.

We were going to go out to the cemetery, but saw our cousin Danny and his wife.  We got to talking to them and they invited us to ride out to the cemetery with them.. It was nice to talk about old times and get to know him and his wife.  The only other cousin there was Jennifer.  She is a favorite cousin...always friendly, fun and out going.   Donna was at the funeral but didn't come to the cemetery. 

We got to visit with Buzz and Lovena after Kim dedicated the grave.  It kind of takes me back when I see Buzz.  He doesn't look as much like daddy as some of the other brothers, but his mannerisms are so much like daddy's. He is kind, and quiet, quick to smile, and down to earth.

All that  is left now of the Braegger family is Ken, Buzz and Lovena.

We were going to pass on the luncheon at the church, (they have so much family..36 grand kids and 67 great grand kids...that's not even including all the kids and spouses! ) but Jennifer wanted us to come so she would have someone to sit with.   I was glad we stayed...It's really true how you only see extended family like this at either weddings or funerals. The time goes by so quickly...you never know if this may be the last chance you have to visit with them in this life.  We decided that since almost all of them have passed on, they must be having a grand reunion on the other side of the Vail.   I can picture it now...