Louise Faye Kiner

Yesterday, September 21, 2020, there was a huge reunion celebration! After just over fifteen years of living loyally for her family, our grandmother, Louise Faye Kiner rejoined her hero, Charles Kenneth Kiner in eternal bliss. Because of who she was, she has wanted to be with him for a long time now, but I know she felt she had to be here more. There was clearly something big planned as she left us promptly at 7:01 am. Personally, I think “ Chick”, as he was affectionately known by all far and wide, could not wait one more day for one of her amazing breakfasts, and had a full day planned for her. I miss those breakfasts too.

When you woke up at Granny Goodmouse’s house, the most amazing scents filled the air. It was usually something baking in the oven, but it might be a turkey, duck or goose being meticulously prepared alongside sauerkraut and dumplings for a special holiday celebration. Hamburger Gravy. Swedish pancakes. Nebraska steaks on the grill. Fried Tomatoes. Cucumber Salad (vegetable from the garden of course). Angel food cake and peanut brittle. Late night card games on the oak poker table. There might even be a special appearance from Miss Piggy – my gram’s special character she would disappear and change into – a cross between Mairlyn Monroe with a Miss Piggy mask. Always a crowd favorite.

She built her dream house when I was about eight years old if memory serves me correctly. I remember going with her to that once vacant 1 – ½ acre plot to break ground with a shovel for what would become our family’s version of a plantation. We broke ground where the kitchen would eventually be of course - the eventual focal point of that house. It was our paradise. It was that place where time stopped. At least for me. The girls that lived across the street, Lisa and Steph Ayers became my “adopted” sisters and we had loads of good times bouncing between the houses for snacks, riding their mini bikes and swimming in their pool.

I can’t tell you how many people I met, celebrated and talked with in that house. It was the intersection of family and friends, love and laughter. Friends and relatives came from far and wide to this house and were treated like royalty whether you were there for an hour or two or for weeks. The door was always open and the house was often full. I think we had 21 people sleeping there one Christmas Eve which was hands down the best day of the year. My cousin Curt and I took care of mowing their beautiful lawn and any other work that needed to be done, and we were always rewarded generously – also a defining trait of Louise.

My grandparents were both born in 1925 (May 31 for her) and ended up growing up in a tiny town called Wilber, just south of Lincoln Ne. She was the second of eight wonderful brothers and sisters born to Lumir and Laura Simecek: Laurette, Louise, Joanie, Hazel, Bessie Jane, Joe and Donna and one other boy that died in infancy. My Great Aunts Janie and Donna are her two surviving beautiful sisters. She is also survived by her son Curt 1, and daughter Garland, Grandchildren, Julie, Curt 11 and Joseph (Me), great grandchildren, Ceanna, Daniel, Josh, Jake, Leo and great great grandchildren Mikenna, Lillie and Emerson. It’s also important to note that we were able to enjoy a five generation family for a very long time.

Wilber, Ne is the Czech capital of Nebraska, and it’s important to mention that Louise’s Czech heritage was very important to her. There was never a family event without hundreds of homemade kolaches – the dessert kinds – apricot, poppy seed and many others which were consumed with breakfast, lunch dinner or anytime really.

Louise and Chick were high school sweethearts and she had her first child, my Uncle Curt at age 17. 1942 before grandpa had to go to the South Pacific for service in WWII. Like many women at the time, she was effectively a single parent, working hard and raising a baby boy. It’s no surprise that when my grandfather returned they had another in 1946. A baby girl this time, my mom Garland. They had been married for 63 years, 4 days before his passing Aug 5, 2005.

What I can tell you about the next several decades is that my grandmother was a strong working woman that also raised a family. She raised her family in the United Lutheran Church in Lincoln Ne. She transcended the movements for empowerment that often define our modern dialogue. And she never complained about it. She worked for a jeweler, at American Stores and eventually alongside her husband and children in the family, plumbing wholesale and heating business, Kiner Supply, Co that still survives today. She and my grandfather taught us the values that are core values for many – accountability, love, respect, hard work. Family. She was elegant and always dressed impeccably and perfectly – whatever the occasion.

She always took a couple of weeks in the summer to take my cousins, Curty, Julie and I (her three grandchildren) on fun trips. Kansas City and Worlds of Fun (amusement park) where we loved to stay at the airport Marriott because they had the best pool. Curty and I even packed our stereo and speakers for that trip which didn’t go over very well with the hotel. Many trout fishing trips to Long Pine and Fort Robinson in Nebraska. Loading the bikes in the pickup for bike rides at Pioneer Park. My first trip to Ixtapa, Mexico, for Christmas, 1977 – I’ll always love Mexico because of that trip and try to get there as much as possible. And the movie theatre – Curty and I talked her into taking us to see Cheech and Chong once. Julie reminded me last night that she was meticulous about being fair to the three of us. She remembers Gram literally blowing out of the house on Christmas Eve to pick up another present if her final gift counts didn’t match equality. She would even smoke a Christmas cigar with us in the garage. She was a great sport.

I miss those scents and breakfasts at 1141 Mockingbird Lane. The may be gone but never forgotten. They defined who Louise Kiner was – she was always on the move up and down the stairs, in the kitchen out to the garage, impromptu drives to the store only to create the perfect experience for her guests. The times spent there will always serve as in infectious model for anyone that spent time at Louise’s dream house whether you were there once or lived there for multiple summers like me. Even when she was taking care of Chick that last decade of his time with us, it was still an open sanctuary for all. An oasis for celebration of relationship, comradery, friends. Love.

I know yesterday was a big celebration for two souls that are finally together again. For eternity this time. You better believe he’s already got her out fishing. And she’s loving it.

Joe E

Memorials are suggested to the Madonna Foundation.