This number is no longer in service

Genie and I enjoyed The North Woods of Minnesota on our deer hunting sabbatical. As a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War, I felt honored by the Natives.

 

For example:

 

1. I got to speak at the Veterans Day Recognition honoring veterans and their guest at the casino in Walker.

 

2. Each veteran was given a free pizza from Super One Foods in Walker.

 

3. Hardee's of Walker gave us a 20% off on meals purchased by a veteran.

 

4. Veterans attending church on Sunday, November 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church is Cass Lake were honored with a special laying of hands. (Genie and I attend the service.)

 

5. Trinity Lutheran Church in Cass Lake included an item in their November 10 Sunday Bulletin as follows:

 

A blessing for Veterans: For everything there is a season. A time for war and a time for peace. A Time for every activity under heaven.

 

For a season of life you gave up freedom to become a servant. For a season of life you put the lives of others before your own.

 

For a season of life you sacrificed for the sake of others.

 

Your season of Military Service has been complete, yet your life in Christ knows no end.

 

5. Thanks to Ashlee Crawford in Customer Service at First National Bank-Walker for making free copies.

 

The new Super Value Store in Walker can be described in one word: “Unbelievable.” The size of the store and number of the products for sale in a town of fewer than 1,000 people is unbelievable. (Even Mrs. Gerry's Products for sale made in Albert Lea, MN.)

 

Carol Edstrom, who lived in Blaine, Minnesota, sold her home there and purchased a home on the shore of Lake of the Woods living alone. She made up for her lack of height by her ability to teach. She accompanied Genie and me on many summertime visits teaching vacation Bible School at various indigenous villages in Canada.

 

Genie and I made many trips to visit Carol in Baudette, MN. Some were ice fishing or while we were deer hunting or just plain visiting on Valentine's Day.

 

This year we call her for a noon get-together while deer hunting. The phones replies, “This number is no longer in service.”

 

Genie goes to the computer to search for an obituary and there it was: Carol had left this earth and was now dwelling in the house of the Lord.

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.