Nelson Family Blog: A Kloeckl Gathering

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

A Kloeckl Gathering

This past weekend, we made a trip to Minnesota. My Grandpa, Roger Kloeckl, died last Thursday, and we buried him yesterday. My grandpa was 84 years old. He had been living in a Nursing Home for a couple years, and just became really sick, and they decided against aggressive treatment for him. He started Hospice on Wednesday, and died late Thursday night.

On Saturday, we continued on to my parent's house from Brookings. It was sort of a long drive. Emma didn't sleep at all, and Elliott only slept a little bit. And they were overtired and cranky from the busy day. We got to my parent's at about 8:00pm, and had a hard time settling the kids in for the night.

Sunday, we just enjoyed bumming at home and visiting and playing with the kids until it was time for Grandpa's wake from 4-8pm. It was tough to see Grandpa in the casket like that, and then to hug and talk to Grandma and all my aunts and uncles. It was really nice to see everyone and visit with them all. We have a big family on my mom's side, and we don't get the opportunity to see each other all that often. I enjoyed seeing most of my cousins, and all my aunts and uncles on that side. I also saw a lot of my family when they came to the visitation.

The kids handled the afternoon well. It was great we were in an air-conditioned building since it was 92 degrees out, and very, very humid. Elliott did very well until about 7:00pm when he got very crabby and restless. Emma ran around singing, and eating cookies. Pretty inappropriate behavior, but acceptable when you are three. We stayed until the end at 8:00pm, and then headed home to get the kids to bed.

Yesterday was a long day. It was very hot and humid again, and the church where Grandpa's funeral was had no air-conditioning. So, it was pretty dang miserable inside. Elliott was very crabby during the service, so after about 15 minutes, I had to take him out and we stayed outside where it was a little cooler, and there was a breeze. I felt bad for missing most of the service, but my kid screaming through the service isn't the best either.

We then went to the cemetery, and after that we had lunch in the very hot dining room. We couldn't wait to get outside. Once again, it was nice to visit and see all the family, but sad to say goodbye to Grandpa.

After some family pictures, we got on the road to make it home at a decent time. We drove from Gaylord back to Sioux Falls, so it was a little longer of a trip. Elliott slept some of the ride, Emma watched movies. Once we got back, we got settled and unpacked, and then played two slow-pitch softball games while Barb watched the kids.

John and I were so ready for bed once we got home. What a long, emotionally draining day. It was a nice little visit home to see everyone, but it was unfortunate the circumstances and sad to say a final goodbye to my Grandpa Roger.

Today has been a little bit of a catch-up day. Emma has swimming lessons all this week at 9:45 am. She loved it today, and couldn't stop talking about it. Both kiddos are at daycare right now while I catch up at home and enjoy some quiet time. It was a long, busy weekend and this momma needed a re-cooperating day. And I loved it :)