Stories From the Klos Family

Remembering Grandma Betty

Grandpa Tony, Grandma Betty, Judy and Bob

A week ago Friday Ryan lost his grandmother. We celebrated her 87th birthday with a chocolate ice cream cake on April 5. In the past week we attended her wake and funeral. It was a little difficult being back at the funeral home after saying good-bye to my brother William.

It's a little weird how all three of these recent deaths tie together. My brother died on Grandma Betty's birthday. Grandma's funeral was the week Ethan was due. I often wonder what God has planned for us after losing three loved ones in less than two months.

My entire family came to Grandma's wake. I wasn't sure if they'd be ready to be back at the funeral home either, but they did well. I am thankful for how much Ryan's and my families have been supporting each other. It almost feels like one big family.

Bob, Grandma Betty, Grandpa Tony and Judy

The night before Grandma's wake (Mother's Day) Ryan and I went to spend time with his mom and bring a card he made for her. We went through Grandma's photos (boxes and boxes of them) with Mom, Dad, Uncle Bob and Aunt Jan. It was a lot of fun watching them relive memories of their parents and childhood. I was able to learn a lot about Ryan's grandparents. I hadn't known Grandma long before she had a series of strokes. She was a beautiful and adventurous woman who was so in love with her husband (and he with her). In the past week we have all been working to clear out Grandma's house as it will be selling at the end of the month (it has been on the market since Ryan and I moved out 18 months ago) we have found all kinds of notes from Grandma.

In a sterling sliver cocktail shaker Grandma left a note that said Grandpa Tony received the shaker set from his "smoker" (bachelor party) two days before their wedding. In a shoe box with a pair of black dress shoes Grandma left a note addressed to "Kids" and told us these were her dancing shoes. In every gift she received from her husband there was a small note that would read "from my Tony". I thought it was really neat that she left all these notes. It was like finding a treasure each time you'd open something and find a note from her.