Yesterday I texted my sister Deb about our Dad’s passing away. I thought it was 30 years, she corrected me. it has been a long 31 years. My heart aches to this day. I started feeling so sad this week and I knew it was Dad’s sudden death on Easter morning in 1992. He just had filed his retirement papers. He passed at just 64 years. Back in the 60’s I was at the kitchen with Mom and we were washing dishes and KDOM radio was on and the Methodist preacher was on the air with his program, and he said, “Wally Moede is God’s angel to children in Windom.” That is one of the best descriptions of my Dad. That is where my love for God’s babies comes from! Dad also took care of the disabled children who would ride the bus. They called me ‘Wally’s shadow’ back home, I went everywhere with him. Dad taught me to love all, as Mom did. Dad was the Transportation Director for the Windom Schools for many years. Mom passed away in 1995, we lost both Mom and Dad so close together, they both were just 64 Years of age. After all these years I still get a very sad feeling. Dad and Mom served the community in so many ways, Dad with transportation and as Assistant Fire Chief and head usher at Church. Mom as the head cook at Winfair school. Mom was Dad’s right arm. She would take so many calls at home, as this was before cell phones. Mom would track down Dad! Many would call our house before they would Call the school! Dad even took a few calls about fires at home! Ha! They were such a caring team for the Windom community. I learned so much from them both, I have failed at times to walk in their steps of goodness, but I try my best. I say to God often, Lord, I am nearly 67, Dad and Mom died at 64…..what are you trying to teach me? I get back from the Lord, Press on Son, stay focused on me and what your Mom and dad taught you. All this has helped my preaching and bring comfort to many in the many funerals I officiate.
I thank the Lord for my Christian foundation which started to be built on July 4th 1956.
My sister Deb posted this yesterday on Facebook:
Today I Received a text from my older brother about our dads passing 31 years ago..
(One of the things in life and there are millions if you haven’t lived it you don’t always understand it…)
Good Friday 1992 we celebrated with a Birthday Party for our oldest daughter..All I can remember is that we enjoyed stuffed mushrooms with crab smothered in butter and my dad trying to soothe our youngest daughter who was only 5 months old and had just had double hernia surgery .. On that Saturday I just felt something wasn’t right.. Saturday night I figured one of the two older girls couldn’t sleep and I had gone upstairs during the night and fell asleep …Easter Morning at 6:00 AM the house phone rang and I came running downstairs and was saying out loud something has happened to my dad… It was my younger brother telling me Dad was gone…He was only 64 years old.. He had had a massive Heart attack during the night..Miss you and think of you Every Day..Dad
