Nana

Where do I begin ... my heart is heavy ... words to describe our loss are elusive ... there is a void in our lives.  My mother-in-law passed away on July 15th and we struggle as we try to adjust to our loss.

Nana was born in 1934 to her Swedish parents ... I love this photo taken when she was 9 months old!  Even at this young age, her personality and intellect shines through that adorable face!

She never talked much about her early life.  While looking through photos, we found her high school graduation (class of 1951) photo ... seen for the first time by Mr. and I!  We also came across her yearbook!  What a thrill to find out that she had been a cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, and involved in Student Council!  It was fun for Sister DD to find out that she had unknowingly followed in her grandmothers footsteps!

This was the only photo we found of her college years.  She graduated for South Dakota State University in 1955 with a degree in Home Economics Education.  I always treasured that we had that in common!  We loved sharing recipes, hand sewing projects and quilting!

She married in 1956 ... what a lovely bride!

Nana as a new mother.  Mr. DD was her first child, in this picture he is 8 months old.

Family was everything to her.  She had 5 children in 7 years ... she once told me that her life was so hectic ... "I felt like I was herding cats!"

On vacation at Lake Superior ... which makes me giggle ... because as mothers we all know that traveling with children (especially 5) is not a vacation for the mom!

I love this photo of her in a Scandinavian sweater ... and that handbag!  Love it! She had a great sense of style!

She worked to make every milestone important in the lives of her children.  This is a her firstborn's (Mr. DD) college graduation in 1979.

Our wedding day ... the day I joined the family ... June 27, 1981.  When Mr. and I chose to have a Scandinavian themed wedding, she embraced the concept.  She made her costume ... it is a treasure ... meant so much to me then and now.

Sister DD was her first grandchild ... as a toddler, she referred to my mother-in-law as Na-Na which evolved into Nana.

Nana loved grandparenting!  She had a total of 10 grandchildren ... all of which she treasured and adored!  She truly found joy in each and everyone of them!

Nana with her first of four grandsons ... Brother DD.

She spent several weeks with us after Brother's birth, it was such a help and many special memories were made!

I love this photo ... Nana with her first born, her first grandchild, and her first grandson!

Four of her five children ...

... and nine of her ten grandchildren.  Her influence in their lives will live on ... she left them a wonderful legacy.

I am so grateful for the 36 years I was a member of her family.  She taught me much over the years ... she was the glue that held her family together.  She was such a blessing in our lives ... we are better people because of her.

Love one another!

Mrs. DillyDally