By MYRNA FAUSKA
According to the weather forecasters, April is mimicking March, as it arrived with a sunny but blustery Easter on the first, but as we look forward to Tuesday and Wednesday, we will see some of that white precipitation again. Robins, seek shelter, as you aren’t going to like this first week of the new month.
It was a busy week in the neighborhood. On Tuesday afternoon, there was a visitation for Evelyn Zirk at the Picha Funeral Home in Elroy, and on Wednesday morning, Grace Lutheran Church was filled with relatives and friends celebrating the 97 years of Ev’s life here and her new eternal life with the Lord. All of the neighbors were at the visitation and/or the funeral.
On Wednesday after Ev’s funeral, Randy, Sue, Alyssa and Jenny Zirk and Mackenzie Zirk, along with Bruce and Julie Zirk, plus cousins Deno and Susan O’Connor of Midland, Mich., gathered at the home farm. Jenny and Mackenzie stayed overnight with Uncle Jerry. On Saturday, Matt Graewin called on Jerry, bringing a casserole, and Lynn Nelson stopped by with lemon bars. Perry Hoppmann and spouse also visited that afternoon.
On Sunday at Steve Schumann’s and Deb Wood’s, her offspring arrived for Easter dinner, along with Neilan and Dar Peterson from the valley north of us.
Vicki Koenig took daughter Nikki of Northwood, Iowa, to Hillsboro on Friday to see mom and grandmother Ruth Schumann. On Wednesday, Ruth was able to go to Evelyn’s funeral with son Steve and family. On Sunday afternoon, Mike and Vickie Schumann came over from Reedsburg with daughter Kate Schumann of Connecticut.
Louise Kaus arrived at our place from Barron, Wis., at noon Tuesday to attend cousin Evelyn’s visitation and funeral with us. She stayed with us until Thursday noon. On Tuesday evening, I was at the Kendall Public Library book club meeting, where we discussed “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows. On Wednesday evening, we supped at Elroy United Methodist Church’s community supper, and on Easter Sunday, my husband Dave and I dined at the Dorset Valley School Restaurant after church.
Ron and Arlene Garvens worked at the Elroy United Methodist Church supper Wednesday after Ev’s funeral. They spent the weekend in Waukesha, Wis., visiting relatives and friends and had Easter dinner with Arlene’s sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Ed Naber.
After Evelyn’s visitation Tuesday evening, Kerry and Shelley Schumann of Sparta called on Jim and Mary Parkhurst. On Friday evening, the Parkhursts joined the Garvens for fish dinner at the Hillsboro Firemen’s Hall.
On Tuesday evening, Lynette Vlasak and Sally Dana were at the Kendall Library book club, and on Wednesday afternoon, they joined Eileen Richie, Carol Fronk and Donna Heilman for mahjong after Evelyn’s funeral. On Sunday they, along with Allan and Heather Vlasak, the Marty family and Aunt Irene Smith of Tomah, enjoyed Easter dinner with other Vlasak and Zellmer relatives at The Ranch in Johnnycake Hollow. In the evening, Lynette went to Hillsboro to have supper with Connie Dorow.
Although it was cold and windy, the sun shone on Resurrection Day and the churches were filled with worshippers praising the Lord and thanking Jesus for his gift of eternal life for all who accept Him as their Savior and put their faith in Him. It’s such a monumental event on His part, and what a simple response on our part. Evelyn Zirk believed and has now spent her first Easter in His presence. The rest of us are looking forward to our turn at a new life with Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior!