Good Bye to DAD from the oldest son.

So many things that could be said; and over the years I have learned I like to talk, so I will try to keep this to just one page.   Had no idea it would come to this so fast but that is  the way his father past on.  For all the years I can remember grandpa was never sick, and after retiring and then moving to the big city of Wakeeney not many years later, he was gone.  Caught pneumonia and was gone in a matter of weeks.
Dad basically past the same way as he father did.  Dad never knew sickness but since the throat cancer he realized what he never experienced.  He thought he could beat the cancer and he did, he just didn’t know all the reminders he would have to face afterwards.  Many vision that he would live long into his eighties.  Yes his activates were reduced but if he watched how much he did at one time he could fight through it.  Sure made him mad though because he was out of breathe.  When ever he got sick it would turn into a longer healing process because of his respiratory system.   Sickness turned into a respiratory infects which needed medical care which was sought later rather then sooner.
This cold he had turned into more then he could handle.  The first eleven day prove to be a challenge.  Bed restricted and knocked out so that the breathing tube could do its work we waited for his doctor’s return to confirm our decision that the breathing tube was the right call because we all knew dad would not like the procedure the emergency doctors thought was the only chance.  The breathing respirator did it job in keeping dad with us until his doctor returned.  Took three days to wake up his lungs and get them working well enough to breath on his own.  That too was scaring and not pleasant.  But dad fought back and seemed ready for what laid ahead and didn’t loose his fun loving nature.
When releasing him to the rehab center dad was ready for a fight but we never imagined it would be such a struggle.  Getting the throat to remember it’s job was not thought about but dad was working through that.  Right after the breathing tube was removed we all heard his voice and that was a great uplift for us all.  Then a few days later he no longer could make strong sounds but the doctor said that was normal for what dad has come through.  We were accepting that but really wanted to see dad get his voice back.  The biggest challenge turned out to be hydration.  Dad need to drink to keep his fluids up and needed to drink often.
The day he was told he could come home he was ecstatic, and for all it was good for him to be home.  Being in Florida I was planning my trip home for a time when dad would be able to do more or so I thought.  I knew it would frustrate him if I came home and he could not get out and do something, even if it was just to watch and instruct how everything had to be, so I decided to wait until the end of May.  After checking the vacation schedule at work the 7th of May would have to be the time or else would have to wait until the third week of June.  
Because of the condition of Judy’s mother, it was agreed that Judy was not going to be coming this time but would be coming after the summer when we came back.  Everyone was fine with that, in fact knowing the situation back home I felt dad and mom was not expecting Judy to be able to come.  Judy wasn’t really happy but was okay with it since she would see dad in a few month.  Besides the reason I was going home now was to help dad put in his garden and help with the spring work he normally did that way when he was better he would the garden and all his flowers to play with.  When we found out dad had past, the time was just so short to get everything lined up for a setter for her mom.  And now, what a shock…Judy wanted to be here so bad.  She was so afraid someone would not understand.  She loves my mom and dad very much.
Anyway here we are, instead of putting flowers in the ground we will be placing flower on the ground as we say good-bye to dad until we can be with him again in heaven.  Kind of normal I guess, dad would always prepare before we came home.

                                                  Remembering the times

Oh so many memories can’t write about them all.  Some of the ones we always talk about though were:  The Christmas when dad got his car analyzer and tune up kit or even better when dad knew for sure his big shop vac was in the big box behind the tree.  Wrong!  The ride from California to Colorado when we moved there and brought the Renault and chico across the dessert.  Jumping on the trampoline in the duty office when mom took us to see dad on duty night.  Watching mom and dad in the kitchen when dad was in a pestering mood.  Or Dad asking mom how that happened when mom found out she was pregnant with Renee.  Dad and mom dancing and have fun at the weddings back in Kansas. Judy’s and mine 25th wedding anniversary when uncle Ralph and aunt Marine pulled up in the drive and I was not supposed to know they were coming.  The love and family times we had together, and the joy we shared as our family grew.

What I would have changed

I know we all have done some things in our lives we may not have been the proudest of but would we really change all those bad or hard times?  Through those hard and stubborn time is when characters are developed and children become the persons they will be.  These times are the ones that lead us to the disciplines of life and living together on this earth.  I am not really happy about all the things I did but as I got older I learned what the meaning was to ‘This is going to hurt me more then it will you’.  But still I have only three thoughts that stick out that I would have changed.  First, I wish I had never got interested in fire.  Second, is getting married without my parents knowing and then telling them afterwards, and finally not seeing my father’s eightieth Birthday.

The qualities of dad I wish were in me

To dad I think integrity and character were important traits for a person to have.  By God if you did it stand up and say you did.  Organization; I now see if I would have included organization and more thought before all my actions I could have made life a lot easier for myself.  I was organized I thought but not to the level of dad.  He had it all together and in one bag and KNEW where the bag was.  Discipline;  Dad seemed to be focused in everything.  I cannot think of a time when he let himself get out of control.  Maybe those who knew him in his early days did but not when I knew him.  Respectful, until you gave him a reason not be respected he did but he still was willing to give a second chance.  And finally Faithful;  faithful to his family, friends and God.  
In closing I would like to say I was blessed to have this man for a father and friend and my wife feels also blessed because of the way he taught his sons to love their wife.  A better example could no man have.

      Love you DAD and see you in HEAVEN
       Your Son Ron
Okay, two pages is pretty good.  Yes

Dave and Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, at this time and always. A new angel was given its wings today to soar free and spread comfort and joy from above to all those loved still here on earth. May his guiding hand and loving embrace be felt in all your hearts.

Carl Hedin

Dave and Family, Our deepest sympathy to your Family. May God bless you at your time of sorrow.  Keith and Teresa Stevenson

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you right now, even though the pain still feels too great.  Just know you're not alone, and you have many of us here with open arms--and hearts--to help hold yours.
All our love,
Raleigh and Kimberly (Malsom) Elstun

Aunt Rose and Family,

Know that we are with you in Spirit in these most trying of circumstances.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Terry and Melissa Goetz and family

Dearest Rose and family:
Arnie and I were very sad to learn of Del's passing.  Our prayers and throughts are with you at this time.  Such a wonderful, sweet, wise man; gone too soon. We will always remember him.   As always, God is with you, now more than ever.  
Love, 
Arnie and Charlene Malsom

David & Family ~ We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts and prayers of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Carl, Joe, Josh, Kevin, and Michelle

Our Deepest Sympathy to your Family.
Heather Pershing Gates
Jeb Pershing
Katie Pershing Jungclaus
Mary Kalkhorst Pershing Moses

Our deepest sympathy to your family.  Be assured of our prayers.
Bonnie and Bill Wirth

OBITUARY

Delphinus N. Ziegler

June 15, 1931 – May 2, 2010

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Highland

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