Saturday, November 14, 2020
My father was a gentle, kind man who always had a fun rhyme or joke to tell, his latest was, "there was a girl named Iris and she got the virus". He loved people, he loved Newton, he loved his farm and the open space of Iowa. He never wanted to be very far from the place he had lived his life Newton, Iowa.
Over the past many years I stood by his side though many a happy moment and many a storm, weddings, grand babies, living with us at our home here in Ca for months at a time. I was a phone call away and many a quick trip was made to Iowa to be by his side. At 93 Mike and I helped him get through cataract surgery, he was a champ never a complaint. While he was living with us I turned on his electric blanket and always tucked him in at night. Mike my husband was his escort to many a doctor visit and joined the boys for breakfast at Dennys. Mike, I thank you for your kindness and dedication to my father at the same time your mother was living here with us , it was not any easy time caring for two seniors at once.
His shared and beloved place to live here in CA was with Deborah and Kevin and their son James. James was a favorite, made his morning coffee , got his cereal ready, taught him the cat could go inside and out. Your patience and outstanding encouragement enabled him to walk to the store and around the block. Kevin took him out to lunch often and added him to his weekly coffee clan, Dad was one of the group. Kevin's trip to have Indian food for lunch with Dad was one of the best stories ever! You both remember the shoes and the eye drops? While here he met all of both of our families friends, I am sure they remember his story of living through the war. Deborah, remember the hated hearing aids? He knew what he wanted and was not shy about telling us what to do. His goal was to be independent he achieved that with dignity and fortitude .
I am thankful to have had that special time here in Ca with him. My daughters Michelle and Elizabeth got to know him first hand and he held each of his four great grandchildren, Cora, Michael, Christopher and Thomas. I had to laugh many a time when they all came to visit he stated, " those guys make a lot of noise."
To all of the family and friends that have shared his life, thank you. My cousins, I owe you a big debt of gratitude for your kind words and reminding me of memories you had. Randy, thank you for being there for his Newton doctor and dentist visits and surgery along with the frequent trips to the farm to fix the tractors or clean out a farm shed under his guidance, as well as with his early morning distress calls last winter. I know he appreciated everything you did for him. You and I always knew what was expected didn't we?
Covid has limited our ability to have a gathering at this time, however our family plan to have a celebration of his life in the future when we can safely ask all of you to gather with us.
Dad, I will miss you everyday, our daily chats leave a significant void in my life. I love you and am grateful you were "Dad".
Linda Rusk DiGiacomo
