Georgiann is a difficult name to pronounce as a child.  To me, she was always “Grandma Jan”.  To my friends, she was the Grandma that had a “rounder” hairstyle (as opposed to my Grandma Nina's “high” hairstyle).  Rather funny, but it was very special to me that my friends came to know my Grandma when many of my friends never had the good fortune to know their own Grandma.

I am lucky to have lived only about 15 minutes away from Grandma Jan my entire life.  As a child, I remember spending a lot of time at her house.  She and Grandpa would babysit for my sister Alissa and me a lot.  I remember packing up our little suitcases and always being really excited to go over there.  It probably meant we would have to spend some time watching Lawrence Welk, but its funny the things you remember as a child.  I can shut my eyes and vividly picture so many things about her house (she had this bed with cabinets that we loved to store our overnight stuff in, she always gave us vanilla wafers on a little metal tray with daises as a bedtime snack, and there was always a bottle of pink Avon bubble bath in the bathroom).  Aside from the physical things, I just remember a feeling of love and comfort when I was there and feeling at home.  I never felt like a guest at Grandma's even though I was – her little house on Ames Avenue just felt like another home to me.

One of my favorite times at Grandma's house was always Christmas Eve because it meant the Muellers would be there and I would get to spend time with my big cousins.  Plans changed from year to year, but the night always involved church at Gethsemane, time celebrating with the Jespersens, and then there was time at Grandma's house which was my favorite part of the night.  We are not small people, but we would all pile in her tiny little living room and I remember feeling so happy - it was just a wonderful time to be together as a family.  

Jim and I keep a wedding photo of Grandma Jan and Grandpa Oscar in a frame in our living room.  We actually have one of all four sets of grandparents.  We do this because it's a good reminder to us of where we came from, what our grandparents taught us and what we want to pass onto our kids.  It is the greatest thing I believe grandma taught me and that was the importance of family.  This was something I recall seeing in everything she did.  She was always there to spend time with us and to do things for us.  She was selfless in the things she did for others.  Grandma loved her family and she loved her faith.  We spent many Sunday mornings right here in this church together and we never had to worry if we were late.  We were always assured that Grandma and Annie would have arrived 30 minutes prior to the service to save seats for us.  

I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to have the relationship that I did with Grandma.  I knew Grandpa Oscar only as a child, passing away when I was 4.  Although sadly it seemed Grandma slipped away from us some time ago, I feel like she was there for the “good stuff” - and I am so thankful for that.  She was able to know Jim and I believe she truly loved him as a grandson.  Jim and I had many dinners at her house, just the three of us.  In her years living alone, she liked to call and chat on the phone - she was so cute if she had to leave a message “Amy, this is Grandma.  Please call me”.  The message was always ended with “Love, Grandma” as if she was signing a letter.  

Grandma was there for our confirmations, graduations, weddings, baptisms, birthdays – the things that make up a life – and she was there for births.  One of my greatest joys was that Grandma was able to hold both of my babies.  She likely said this about every great grandchild, but she would always comment on the kid's “perfect little bodies”.  Oscar is now 6 and Jim and I will still say that to him.  Babies are so precious and she knew that.  I think her comment was a sign of true amazement.  As a family we have been blessed in some many ways, with so many “perfect little bodies” who I know will carry on her legacy.

Grandma lived a long, rich life full of joys and sorrows.  I know that I will think of her often and I will continue to revisit the framed picture of her and Grandpa in the hopes that I can live my life with the same honor and respect as she did.  I will always remember the time we spent together, and the feelings she gave me of love and “being at home”.  I will truly miss her and I will love her forever.

Granddaughter Amy

Dear Grandma,

I am sorry that we are not in Minnesota to honor your memory with the rest of the family. However, we (Carissa, Ava and I) feel blessed that we were the ones there when you were taking your last breaths. We were the ones there to tell you what a wonderful person, mom, grandma and great grandma you were and how special you were to us. We told you how much we loved you and we would see you again someday in heaven. We were able to say a prayer for your life that very day. This is a very blessed and meaningful memory for us. 

When I think of how special you were to me, I think of your kind, loving spirit. When mom and dad went to medical meetings when we were kids, the best part was staying at your house. You were always so caring to us grandchildren and loved us unconditionally. In fact, even as a teenager when I was getting in trouble with my parents, I don't think you ever believed a word of it. When I lived in St. Paul when going to nursing school, it was always a blessing to know you were there and I could go to your house for a hug, dinner or to get my laundry done. You took such joy in anything you could do to help out. 

I remember making the decision to name Carissa, Carissa Georgiann. It was very important to me to have our child be named after you because of how special you were to me. Every time we talk or write Georgiann I think of what a dear and loving grandma you were. I love what the name stands for to me. I love that Carissa loves that she was named after you.

Carissa and Ava have always had a special place in their hearts for you, their great grandma. It always amazed me how important seeing you every time we were visiting Minnesota was to them. Even in the last few years when it was hard to tell if you really knew who we were; it was important to them to have special time visiting you. It is a special memory that Carissa got to do her tap dance for you on our last visit. They loved to see you, feed you and push you in your wheelchair.  I believe this goes to show you what great respect they had for you.  This is the legacy of love you have passed on. Thank you grandma, we were so blessed to have you in our lives. 

Your loving granddaughter, Lisa

THOUGHTS ABOUT GRANDMA

She always greeted me with a smile, a hug, and a kiss. There were times I didn't know if she was going to let go. (And in all honesty, there were times I didn't want her to.)

She made me feel loved, and it was from her that I first learned what unconditional love meant. Not by what she said, but by her loving actions. I saw it first in her love and concern for her children: my mother Gloria and uncle Bruce. And then in her love for my father LeRoy and aunt Sue. I remember being slightly perplexed by the fact that she loved her in-laws so much, and they returned her love.  I didn't think that was how it was supposed to be? But learned, it could be.

Her love extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I was so fortunate and blessed to be one of her grandchildren.  She loved us almost to a fault. It was as if we could do no wrong (and contrary to what she may have told you, I can tell you from experience that we, her grandchildren, are not perfect, and actually have done some wrong). She loved and lived for her family and for many, many years her grandchildren were the center of that family. 

She could never do enough for her family. She never questioned when I would bring weeks worth of clothes with me when I visited from school. For I always knew that before I left, it would all be washed, dried and mended perfectly with great care. 

Everyone who knew her, loved her. It didn't surprise me that so many of my friends from school came to consider her and call her “grandma.” Even as I informed many of them of her passing in the past week, they shared in my grief with losing “their” grandma.

There was nothing like the warm, loved feeling that came from her taking your hand and squeezing it. 

True grace and beauty are timeless and ageless. My grandmother was a testament to this to her very end.  I hope to follow in her footsteps.

It adds to my grief that my daughter will not know first hand grandma's love and grace. But I take comfort in knowing that she will come to know it through grandma's legacy and my family that learned from her and benefited from her love and care.

The world is a better place because of her. She lived a beautiful life of service, generosity, love, and grace. Something we can all strive for.

She was loved, and will be greatly missed.

Laura J. Mueller, granddaughter

Hi Amy Jo,

We have been in the Boundary Waters for the past few days. I just read your facebook post regarding your Grandma. I couldn't help but have a few memories of her enter my mind. I remember meeting her when I/we were too young too appreciate anything let alone people and how they impact our lives. The next memory is of you, me and Laura going to her house...I think Laura was staying there? Anyway, you two were so sweet to her even though I'm sure we had mischief on our minds. I also remember seeing her at so many of your family events. She was a sweet woman. I'm so glad you had a lot of wonderful years with her.

Life is crazy strange and it goes way too fast. I'm sorry your Grandma passed away dear friend.

I love you,
Heather

Georgiann was a very classy lady who was kind and compassionate to all she met.  My sympathy to her family.

Our deepest sympathy to the Saffel family. We knew Georgiann well at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. She was such a nice friendly person.

OBITUARY

Georgiann W. Saffel

March 10, 1919 – July 10, 2013

Wulff Funeral Home

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