of Gertrude Milder

One week from one of Gertrude Milder's diaries.
More diary entries to follow later once they have been transcribed.

Holy Week 1963, April 8 to April 13

Monday, April 8, 1963

I called Gene & Betty then Bro. John came and then I called the doctor and Father Benda. Gene went after him and he came and anointed Dad, Then the doctor came and checked him over Then they took him by ambulance to the hospital. Gene and Bro. John stayed with him all night and he was very bad all day too. We think part of the time he knows us but don't know for sure. The children came home and so good, such a consolation to me.

Ed & Mary, Len. & Marilyn, Gene & Betty, Pat & Glenn, Libb & Lyle, Wilma & Clarence, Nick & Trudy, Moe & Joan, Ben & Joann, Lillian & Paul, Gerald & Pauline.

Leonard & Pat & Glenn went after Sister and all the children came to the hospital. Marilyn & Leonard had a lot of us for supper. Marilyn also came over after midnight.

Tuesday, April 9, 1963

Louise took me to mass. Sister M. went to mass in Hills then Wilma brought her to the hospital for a while, then Lillian brought her out here. Lillian did my ironing. In the p.m., Louise took Sister & I to the hospital. Then we got groceries at Hills and A&P. Sister M. and Gertrude and Bro. John all had supper at Marilyn's, a good turkey supper. Then most of us went to the hospital again in the eve. Gertrude and Bro. John stayed all night.

Wednesday, April 10, 1963

Pop had a good nights rest. Went to mass with Louise and met Sister M. and Wilma there and we all set together. Wilma came out for breakfast and then went to the hospital. Louise took Sister M. and I down to the hospital in a.m. as Dad was more bright.

Then we didn't get home until the p.m. Sister and Wilma were here for dinner in the p.m. Ronny came and Gene and Catherine took Sister M. to Hills for her suitcase and then stopped at the hospital to see Dad. Then we went over to Gene & Betty's for supper. Bro. John, Gertrude and Sister M. then I left. Carl & Louise took Sister home.

Thursday, April 11, 1963 (Holy Thursday)

Went to mass with Louise. Then Wilma also came out for breakfast and then went down to stay with Dad. Lillian also stayed with Wilma then at noon Pauline came and later Libb came. Louise and I went down in p.m. and Pauline had gone and Lillian went later. Dad seems to be pretty good considering how awful sick he has been. I went again in the evening; he was pretty good. Nick came after hours.

Friday, April 12, 1963 (Good Friday)

Slept rather late as no mass this morning. So I had my breakfast and dinner alone. Mrs. Yoder brought cookies over. Maurice was down with Dad this a.m. also Louise, for a while. Also Pauline was over noon hour. I then went down to the Good Friday Mass and came to the hospital with Louise.

Then Gerald took me home and went back to hospital to help. So I got supper for Gene & Betty. In the evening we went to see Pop then to Slat??? and then back to Pop. He is about the same. Leonard & Marilyn here too. Bro. John went to Moe's for supper.

Saturday, April 13, 1963 (Holy Saturday)

Dad passed away today at 12:10 pm. I got up fairly decent time. Ben came out for tools, then Brother John and Marilyn came. They had been with Dad all night. Said he had a good night, but getting weaker. Later Louise came and also said he was much weaker. Then Marilyn called to see if Moe was here and said I better get ready to come down to hospital. So Moe and Louise and Gene and Betty went at once but he had already passed away.

I led the rosary and the members of the family that were there said it with me. Leonard, Louise, Wilma, Libb, Carol, Moe & Joanne, Gene & Betty came home for lunch. Later in p.m., started to make arrangements. We went down to funeral parlor and had the rosary Bro. John said then we went to church.

Sunday, April 14, 1963 (Easter)

Gene & Betty took Bro. John and I with them to mass and Carl & Louise & Charles all went to 6:00 mass, then home and then we all had breakfast together. Lawrence came in on the plane around 10:30 a.m. Leonard and Bro. John and Gene met him.

There were quite a lot of the families here for supper, also dinner. Company from Davenport, also the Sisters from Hills with Mr. & Mrs. George Birrer. I got some rest. Sister came with Nick & Gertrude and the boys. Lots of visiting and a very nice crowd at the rosary and many nice things said about Dad. We shall miss him so much.

updated 10/2002 - Copyright© 2000-2002 Milder.org