Saying Goodbye to Grandma Ad

I am having somewhat of a hard time accepting what happened. I don't know if it is because we just saw her and spent time with her, or the fact that they live far away and I still feel like we should be able to call and go visit anytime we want and she will be there.

I wanted to sit down and blog about this but it felt so overwhelming to think of the right words, I read my sisters blog last night and she wrote this perfectly and I thought it would be easier to copy some of hers for now.

On January 28, 2011 my sweet Grandma Ad went to be home with the Lord. She was in the hospital about two weeks prior with problems with her intestines (diverticulitis, I think?). After four surgeries in two weeks time, the doctor, my Grandpa, dad, aunt, and uncle decided not to put Grandma through anymore surgeries. Two days later, the doctor changed his mind and said that he wanted to go in one more time to try to repair the leak in her intestine (that was Friday morning). The surgery actually went well and the doctor was able to find the leak. However, Grandma took a turn for the worse after the surgery was over and she passed away that evening.Grandma Ad (Adeline) was born on January 17, 1930, so she blessed everyone with 81 years of selfless love. She married my Grandpa Bill on February 11, 1950, which means their 61st wedding anniversary is next week! Out of every married couple I have ever known, they are the couple I admire the most. Grandma and Grandpa constantly put each other before themselves and held hands wherever they went! She was such a beautiful, caring, selfless, delicate, strong, hard-working woman. We all love her so much. Grandma was a Christian, so I am finding peace in the fact that she is with God now.

Grandma's wake/memorial was this evening in Clifton, Illinois, which is about 4.5 hours north of here. Due to the intense ice storm in St. Louis yesterday and today, my sister and I decided that the trip was too risky to take, especially with our two sons in the car. I talked to my mom yesterday and she said the trip took her and my dad over 6.5 hours to get there and that it was extremely dangerous. They had to pull over several times to scrape the ice off there car and several times they had to pull over because it was sleeting too hard, they couldn't see the road at all. I guess we made the right decision to stay safe in St. Louis iced in our houses today, but I was really sad to miss the service today. However, I know that Grandma would not want me and Bennett to take a risky drive like that.I just got off the phone with my mom and she said that the funeral that was supposed to take place tomorrow morning, will now be postponed until Thursday morning due to the blizzard they are having in Kankakee, Illinois. Gosh - what a bad time for this winter storm to hit!

Grandma Ad's Obituary:

Adeline M. Nottke, 81, of rural Clifton, died Friday evening (Jan. 28, 2011) at Riverside Medical Center, in Kankakee, following a short illness. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton, and from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Asbury United Methodist Church, in Kankakee, until the 10:30 a.m. funeral services. The Rev. Steve Goodin will officiate.Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory, Kankakee. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 70 years.She was born Jan. 17, 1930, in Kankakee, the daughter of Charles and Violet Burling Brinkman. She was a member of the Quadrille Club, the Emblem Club of the Elks, and the No Fuss No Muss Club. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren, playing cards, flower gardening and traveling.Surviving are her husband, William H. Nottke, whom she married Feb. 11, 1950, in Kankakee; one daughter, Cynthia Cailteux, of Clifton; two sons and daughters-in-law, William Jr. and Lora Nottke, of Sunset Hills, Mo., and Alan and Pam Nottke, of Bourbonnais; eight grandchildren, Leslie (Mike) Simmons, Chad (Sue) Cailteux, Troy (Jamie) Cailteux, Crystal Mueller, Ashley (Luke) Wilson, Brandt Nottke, Daniel Nottke and Alicia Nottke; seven great-grandchildren, Drew Simmons, Kate Cailteux, Pierce Cailteux, Kira Cailteux, Addison Cailteux, Bennett Mueller and William Wilson; and one brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Carolyn Brinkman, of Bonfield.

I am so blessed to of had all four of my grandparents still and for Will to meet four of his great grandparents. I have so many great memories with Grandma Ad! Here are just a few:

-When we were little and we would go visit and she would tuck us in as she went to kiss us good night she would nuzzle way down in our neck and tickle us and make a funny noise.

- She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren more than anyone I have ever seen. And when a new baby was born the excitement could be felt from states away and her and grandpa Bill were always here the second they could be so she could get her hands on that new baby!

- She made the best homemade applesauce, the best.

- At my wedding shower, she told me, "I am so happy to be able to still be here to experience this with you." It brought tears to my eyes and she asked why I was crying and I told her I was not, I was just very happy. You can imagine my excitement when almost three years later she was in the same spot at my baby shower.

I love you Grandma Ad and I will miss you everyday.