 Thank you for coming to honor and celebrate the life of my mother Eileen Louise Hohenstein.  Many of you knew my mom, so what I am going to say will not come as a surprise to you.  Others only knew her through your relationship with her children or grandchildren.  My mother was born and raised in South Dakota.  She came from stereotypical German and Danish roots.  They were like many others that came from this part of the country: hard working, decent, and above all kind.  
Our founding fathers believed that mothers taught their children, especially the boys, about the better angels of our nature.  They thought it was the key to good citizenship.  Boys learned what it meant to be compassionate, to put others above themselves, in other words what it meant to be Christ-like, from the examples set by their moms.  I certainly believe this to be true of my mom Eileen Louise Hohenstein.
Saint Paul exhorted the early church to imitate him as he imitated Christ.  I want to share a few examples of how my mom followed this instruction to the letter.  My mom would be the first to tell you that she never had a glamorous, prestigious, or high paying career.  She was above else a servant to others.  She worked several dirty, thankless, and often under paying jobs, but she did so mostly without complaining.  She was a special education teacher while we were growing up in Sioux City, Iowa.  She worked in a senior day care center until just 3 years ago while living in Ames, Iowa.  
Her reward for that first job was coming home to three wonderful boys who always got along and who never misbehaved.  I don't know if the wives' tale is true, but it is often said that heaven includes a special section for those moms that have had to raise all boys.  We weren't bad boys, but Craig and I did our fair share of torturing our youngest brother John.   We also weren't above playing tricks on her, like the time we moved her car while she was running an errand in the mall.  Mom disciplined us, but I never for one moment doubted her love for me.  Mom moved to Ames in 1994 to be closer to her grandchildren.  She worked at her second job to help make ends meet.  Her reward for this second job was being available to see and help out with those grandchildren whether it was helping a grandson deliver his newspapers or driving a granddaughter to band practice.  She was always there, always wanting to help where she could, and above all else wanting the best for her family.
Before we prematurely send in the application for sainthood, my mom could be stubborn and opinionated but certainly not in any sort of mean spirited way.  Before I got married, my mom would periodically visit me in Ohio.  She worried about me at this point in my life.  I was over 30, I was still in graduate school, and I hadn't met that special someone to share my life.  It wasn't that I hadn't tried.  In fact, my heart had been broken on several occasions, and, of course, it was my mom who had consoled me through those difficult times.  On this particular trip, I planned to take my mom on a tour of several Civil War battlefields.  Doesn't that sound fun?  Maybe this had something to do with why I was still single?  But before we left, I wanted her to meet a girl that I had met recently named Maureen.  Maureen, my mom, and I enjoyed a summer evening at the Ohio State Fair.   At the conclusion of our time together, my mom pulled me aside and implored me not to screw this one up since she really liked her.
It's only been a short time, but I miss my mom dearly.  She was the one who sewed the merit badges on the Boy Scout uniforms.  She was the one who drove us to all sorts of practices, concerts, and other events.  For many years, she baked and sent the cookies; she wrote and sent the cards and letters.  Above all else, she was the one who was there for us in the darkest of times.  I will always remember the first time I was able to call home from plebe summer at the Naval Academy.  The training had been hard, and I was questioning whether it was worth it.  I heard her voice at the end of the line, and I just sobbed in the phone booth.  My mom knew what I needed to hear, and repeatedly told me that it would be okay.  Throughout my life, my mom has been that person to tell me that it would be okay.  Even during her final difficult days, she would reach out her arms to hug me, which I believe was her way of saying that this too would be okay.  I will miss my mom because she was that first, best example of God's unwavering, selfless, sacrificial love.  I know that on that day, He welcomed her into His kingdom saying well done my good and faithful servant.  I also know that a little bit of her lives on in the goodness I see in her grandchildren.  That is her legacy, and that is what we should celebrate about the life of Eileen Louise Hohenstein.

Grandma Eileen was not just a grandma, mom, daughter, sister or a friend.   She was a person who always had a kind soul and every inch of her was filled with joy. 

There are so many things I could say about her, and there would still be more reasons to share why she was such a great grandmother to everyone.  From the start of the very first grandchild that was born, you were there for them and all the other grandchildren, Grandma Eileen.   We always knew you would be there to care for us and support us in our activities; sporting events, band concerts and musicals.

Grandma was really someone I looked up to because she never showed any negativity and she always had a big and generous heart.  She never had a frown on her face, even when something was very sad.  She was always happiest when she was around her grandchildren and around everyone else.   She would do anything for anybody.   

She was the type of grandma where she could go hours playing board games with you, or taking you many places like the library or going out to eat especially ice-cream.  She was always willing to give you something in return for doing something for her.  In this past year I have grown closer to her and I am so glad I got to spend some of these last moments with her that I will cherish forever.

Thank you Grandma for always loving and caring for me and all your grandchildren.   Thank you for always being willing to spare some change to let us get something.   There has never been a mean nerve in your body.  Thank you for giving me an endless amount of love and laughter and memories.  I will never forget them.  

Most of all, thank you for not just being a grandma to me, but also a person that I could look up to and that I could get advice from.  You were someone that I could always count on to keep me safe and to love me unconditionally.  

Grandma has helped make us grandchildren into the people we are today and showed us skills to grow better and stronger.  We were all so unbelievably lucky to have you in our life.  Out of all the grandmas in the world, and of all the women becoming grandmas, I had one of the very best.   We will dearly miss you forever Grandma Eileen.   Rest in peace.

Your granddaughter,
Kaitlyn Forney

Eileen was such a gracious hostess and full of fun stories. She like eating out and trying new things, a all around fun person to have in our lives.  You were blessed.  Arde and Bob Petersen

Your Mom was a wonderful lady and I truly enjoyed working with her in Cub Scouts. I regret being out of touch because it would have been great to renew our friendship.  She was so special. Cyndy Sardeson Ankeny Iowa.

Eileen was a fantastic Den Mother.  She imparted many lessons that I still carry with me to this day and set a great example that I strive to adhere to always.  Her passing caused grief that I just can't seem to describe, but I would be remiss if I did not express gratitude that I got to know her, and that she was an influence on me for the better.

In that sense, her influence will have a geometric effect as those she influenced will definitely influence others.  The world was a better place with her in it, and it will continue to be so as long as we all remember how she treated us and we strive to treat others as such.

To her family and friends, I grieve along with you.  Todd, Craig, John, my prayers are with you and your families for some measure of peace and comfort.

I'm so sorry for your loss.    Praying for the family during this difficult time.  Love, Tammy and Jason Sanders

To Eileen's family,
Eileen was a joyful member of our Chapter Iowa BI of T.T.T. I know she was always there for you while she lived in Ames and looked forward to those times. I attended Morningside College and we often shared our thoughts about NW Iowa. We missed her following her move to Des Moines and are glad she could be closer to you when she needed you.
Our condolences to you. Treasure your memories.
Jen Buckingham
Iowa BI President

I am one of Eileen's T.T.T. sisters in Ames, IA.  She was invited to join The National T.T.T. Society by Clarabel Volker - chosen to be an Iowa BI sister for her ability to love people.  I have appreciated her kindness, friendliness, smile, and ability to use her hands to serve others. As I viewed the photos in the album I saw a loved grandmother who understood the value of being important in young people's lives. May the memories you cherish about Eileen always lead you to understand this Bible verse: "And now abided faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love."  She made love her aim and I have been privileged to call her a friend. May God bless your family as you celebrate a life well lived in the knowledge and grace of Christ. Sincerely, Glenna Bents

Dear John, Denise, Rachel, Kaitlyn and Jaker,

The love between your family and Grandma Eileen was such a joyous sight to behold.  I could actually feel it in my own heart.

Eileen was a lovely, kind woman, who ALWAYS had a smile on her face.  I absolutely marveled at that.  As I said recently, her name should have been "Smileen."  She was never without a smile.
I'm so glad I got to know her, if only for a few years.

I know your family life is crazy-busy, yet the 5 of you somehow always managed to be a daily presence in Eileen's life and I know how much joy that brought her.  She could always count on you to be there for her.

I know she loved your visits, your little musical performances "just for Grandma,"  and your kind, loving care.  

May she rest in the peace she so richly deserves.

Hang on to your memories.  They will comfort you.

Hugs to you all.

With deepest sympathy,

Marcia Moore

May the powerful words recorded in the bible at Matthew 5:4 add comfort to your saddened heart during this difficult time.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Eileen L. Hohenstein

4 mars 1938 – 15 février 2017

McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery

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