Ice Iowa Has Gone to God

It is with mixed emotions that I write this post. Our first emotion is complete and utter sadness. We have lost a great man, a wonderful father and the best grandfather ever. We feel cheated that we didn't have more time with him. We feel angry that our children and future children won't know him, won't share a bowl of ice cream with him, won't hear his infectious laugh or hear him tell a joke. But we also feel thankful that God has taken Ice Iowa to be with him and Mom. We know that his final days on this earth were not as he would have wanted. He is with his loving wife, someone he missed every day since she left us, Jan.

When we arrived home from the aiport, we called Brent and were able to say good bye to Dad. We told him how much we loved him and that it was okay for him to leave us. We mentioned that Sasha has made it his mission to teach Mia all the things that Ice Iowa taught him - how to enjoy a good bowl of ice cream, Wendy's is good, to laugh often, forgive easily and to always look at the brighter side of things.

He passed on at 12:25 p.m. The color left his face and the nurses were called in. Deanne and Brent were with him as he took his final breath.

His funeral will most likely be on Saturday. We intend to celebrate his amazing life. He gave back so much to the world. We have a lot to learn from the way he lived.

You'll be missed forever, Dad, but you will never be forgotten. Peace is finally with you.