Lisa Ann Wendland

She is a Daughter, Granddaughter, Sister, Niece, Cousin, Aunt, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and a Friend.

Lisa was the second born and always seemed to get blamed for a lot of things she didn't do, as a lot of middle children. If she didn't do it, she knew who did and would eventually get even with them.

When she was little she came home with a pocket full of pennies. Asked where she got them she replied that she sold some leaves to a lady. I took her by the hand and asked her to take me to the lady. I wanted her to give back the money but the lady said “She bought the leaves (even though they were crumbling) because of her sweet smile and her persistence and I couldn't say NO” That was the beginning of her salesmanship and persuasion. She took after her dad in many ways. She would run out the door when her dad came home from work just to get his lunch box to see if anything was inside.

When her sister was born she was so excited that she would have somebody else to take care of besides her brother. She would get up in the middle of the night to help me give Teresa her bottle. During the day she always wanted to help feed her. Always wanted to hold her and rock her to sleep.

When her brother got bullied or picked on she would come to his defense. When she came back she would say “They won't bother you any more.”

She was always looking after her brother and sister.

As they grew up they all had there own friends and did their own things but still would have time for each other. They were becoming young adults. Teresa always wanted to go with Lisa where ever she went even when she wasn't suppose to. Boy they sure thought they were secretive but they didn't know how I always found out.

When Lisa was expecting her first child, Teresa wasn't very happy. When Lisa brought her Daughter home (Latisha), Teresa was even more upset because she wasn't getting the attention from Lisa she had before. One day Teresa didn't want to go to school so I kept her home. I thought this would be a good way for her to get use to having a cousin in the house. Lisa would give Teresa things to do for her and let her feed and hold Latisha. From that day on there was a different relationship.

As years went on Teresa had her own Daughter (Jessica). Teresa had the same soft gentle and caring spirit as Lisa. And it was just the 2 of them for many years.

Carl got married and he went his way and the girls went their way and hadn't been to close for a long time. When there Grandparents passed away they started seeing each other off and on. When the girls were in a jam he was always there to help them out.

Throughout the years Lisa had her own ways of doing things. Whether it was right or wrong it was her way and owned up to it if it didn't work out. She could convince anybody of almost anything, usually got what she wanted. She was high spirited and wouldn't take no for an answer. She wouldn't take any CRAP off anyone. She always made sure her daughter (Latisha) had a roof over her head, clothes on her back and food in her belly.

You didn't dare tell her she couldn't do anything because she would always prove them wrong or admit she couldn't do(which was very seldom).

This was her life for a long time, just her and Latisha. Then one day she met the love of her life Roger Wendland. Finally she found some stability in her life that was caring, gentle, compassionate, soft and loving. We couldn't ask for a better husband for her. We became very attached to him and glad to call him our son (we don't care for the son-in-law- phrase) He accepted her and Latisha. Did they have problems, you bet but they worked them out. Roger also had a son Andrew which Lisa accepted and so did we as a grandson.

Roger and Lisa had a daughter and her name is Alicia. She is as pretty as Latisha and has grown into a beautiful girl. Latisha and Andrew were so excited to have a little sister.

The years went by and there were many ups and downs but they worked them out. As I say Lisa said for better or worse. She never gives up when there is a problem.

One day Roger and Lisa introduced Teresa to Paul Oskam who became the love of her life (after a lot of persuasion). We again couldn't ask for a better husband for her. We became very attached to him as well and glad to call him a son. He accepted Jessica into his life. He too had 2 daughters which Teresa accepted and so did we. The one we mostly saw was Kaitlin who has grown into a beautiful girl. From then on the Wendlands and Oskams became best of friends and were always together. I am thankful for that.

Things were going along good for many years. Ups and downs, good and bad but always stuck together. Then our family was hit with a bomb shell. It was like our whole world was turned upside down and would never be the same. We found out Lisa (who is always strong and healthy) had a tumor on her liver. Not only that but she had deadly form of Cancer. We were all devastated and couldn't understand why her. When we all finally realized that this might end her life we couldn't believe it, me especially. A parent is not suppose to out live their children. I finally had to come to grips with this.

From her first diagnosis Teresa and Roger were always by her side. Teresa went to all the Dr. appointments, Chemo, Radiation and the many Hospital Stays. She would even stay the nights and days with her.

Roger and Alicia still had to keep going even when they didn't want too. Roger had to work and Alicia had school and that is what Lisa wanted them to continue doing. For them this was very hard. Lisa and Roger had many talks and cries about this whole thing but she wouldn't go down without a fight. She always told me “Mom I am fighting as hard as I can but sometimes it is really hard and I feel like I have let my family down”, Teresa, Roger, Alicia and myself told her that was not true. No matter what happens you have never failed any of us.

Teresa put her own family on the back shelf to take care of her sister and make sure Roger, Alicia and Latisha were taken care of just as Lisa would have done for Teresa. Lisa had become Teresa's best friend as well as her sister and would always be there for her family as Teresa is for her own family. Roger and Paul became closer each day.

Lisa was caring, compassionate, loving, sassy, daring, forgiving and always smiling with a kind word for anyone. When she got angry look out because you got it with both barrels and then it was over. She never held a grudge. She made sure Roger and Alicia got everything and anything they needed even if she had to work harder then most to get it. Roger at times didn't know how she managed to get the things that she did and still have extra money for them to go and have a beer. She always made sure her 2 daughters and husband was taken care of before her. She loved her grand children and they idolized her. They will miss coming over to Grandmas and Pops house just to be by their sides and do nothing. During her sickest days, her brightest days was when she seen the grand kids. She has always tried to keep them together even when it was hard. James and Teya love each other so much it is hard to keep them apart.

Lisa was the rock of the family and held everything together. She made sure no one was ever forgotten on their birthdays or anniversary or any other occasion. She always tried to make every event a happy one.

She was not only my Daughter but my best friend. I could talk to her about anything. Now her spirit and friendship is being transferred to her sister. I could go on forever bust I won't because this would never end.

I know she has touched a lot of people over the years and even some that didn't know her. She is truly going to be missed but never forgotten, always love and in our hearts forever.

She told me once that holding a grudge and having hatred in your heart or disliking somebody for what they have done was a waist of time and energy. No matter how bad or hurtful somebody has done to her or her family she always for gave them and wanted them to have the best and do their best in all they would accomplished.

God was asked many times “Lord how many times must I forgive my brother” he replied “Not 7 but 77 times or as many times as needed.”(MT 12:21)

Then said “you must first take the beam out of your own eye before you can take the speck out of your brothers eye.” (MT 7:3) In other words you should be forgiving all the time because you aren't any better then the next person. When Lisa passed away I was so mad at God I didn't even want to hear his name ever again, then I remembered what Lisa had said in our many talks, “Forgive not forget but to go on with your lives and I will be with you in your hearts.” If we all had that way of thinking the world would be a greater place to live.

Thank you Lisa for all your Love, Beautiful Smile, Wittiness, Sense of Humor and Caring Attitude, there will never be another like you. All of us will remember and miss you and love you for ever because you touched so many lives and we will all be seeing you another time. Love from all of us.

WITH LOVE AND BROKEN HEARTS WE WANT YOU TO RIP.