Another month of celebrations, adventures, and, sadly, losses. The passing of both Fred and Jonnie Ockerlund within two months leaves a HUGE vacuum in the village. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was blessed to have nearly daily contact with Jonnie this summer, moments filled with laughter, tears and adventures including her first pedicure in more than 90 years! Now the last orchid has flowered in our yard; the last key lime pie of literally hundreds is in the freezer; the last Swedish pancakes with loganberry jam, powdered sugar and a squeeze of lemon devoured; my last attempt at bananas foster salvaged; and the last raspberry pillow cookie delivered. They say food not only nourishes our bodies, it also nourishes our soul. “Food is love.” If that is true than Jonnie O was pure love through and through.
Fortunately, we only lost Marilyn Harlan for a matter of minutes this summer and now have her back for a second of nine lives! Now the matriarch, she was able to make it to her Annual Family Gathering the first Saturday of August each year in Coloma, Michigan which is always a great time. Marilyn says there were thirteen this year “and it is hard to believe they are all getting older while she is getting younger!”
Also getting younger is Larry Wagner who celebrated his 84th birthday July 30th with Jackie and their sons Jimmy and Ronnie in Wisconsin. They went up for a short visit which has ended up being several weeks long!
Linda Tucker knows how to stay young. She spent part of her summer in Michigan at her lake house northwest of Detroit. When her great granddaughter, Hania Tucker, came out for a day on the lake, she brought a matching friendship bracelet for her great grandmother.
Schooner ladies never miss a chance to celebrate birthdays even if birthday “girls” are absent. So in August, the few celebrated the several: Liz Welsh, Joan Vandekief, Barb Curioso, Deb Lawrie and Arla Kern (former resident, frequent visitor).
NOTE: Beautiful tributes to Jonnie were posted on daughter Sara’s Facebook page and sent out by Sentry. For those wishing to send condolences: Jonnie’s brother: Jim Johnson and Marjorie Hamm, 4620 Lake Drive Unit #3128, West Bend, WI 53095; and son, William Ockerlund, 75996 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036.
