“Speak as you find,” My mother used to say

I gratefully acknowledge the support and empathy that I received during the last chapter of my husband’s life and following Emil’s death. The hype we’ve all heard that people only care about themselves these days and that it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there is certainly not true in Fayette County, Texas.

I thank God for:

Hospice Brazos Valley, especially Dr.

Thomas Borgstedte, Carly Wray, Amanda Ulrich and Virginia Riley, for care above and beyond; our neighbors, Carolyn and Donald Kobersky, for rapidly responding to my calls for help, day or night; Fayette County EMS and the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department, for gently transferring Emil once when I could no longer do so; Cathy Warnken for sharp scissors and gentle words; Jeff Wick of The Fayette County Record, for his input and encouragement on Emil’s obituary; Mary Goerig and Don Jakobeit with the City of La Grange, for their knowledge and patience with regard to choosing a cemetery plot; Patricia Mazoch of Schulenburg Printing for creating an outstanding printed tribute handout; Jennifer Zeruba and Gina Kozelsky of Frogs and Flamingos Florist, for their artistic floral tributes; Our Houston neighbor, Rev. H. Michael (Mike) Tyson, who led the celebration of life with warmth, dignity and humor, and who had already sought ways to be of assistance that included burning our big brush pile earlier in May; Audrey Wick for writing and delivering a delightful eulogy that warmed our hearts and brought smiles to the faces of Emil’s family and friends, plus all of her and Brian Craven’s support; Ruby McGuill for the superb music at Emil’s celebration of life, as well as at the reception; Caleb Chowdory for masterminding the livestream of Emil’s celebration of life, so family and friends in Canada, England and elsewhere in the U.S., could watch it with us; neighbor Rodney Kana of Holman, and a former employee, David Hall of Goliad, for honoring Emil’s memory by serving as pallbearers, along with our family members; VFW Post 5254, La Grange, Commander Richard Gray, John D. Marburger and Scott Jones for recognizing Emil’s service in the U.S. Army by delivering deeply moving military honors, including presentation of his flag to me; City of La Grange Police for providing an escort and traffic control for the journey to the cemetery; Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home and Crematorium, especially Amber Belvill Carroll, Joseph Carroll, John Belvill, Dawn Hoffman and David Ehler, for their professionalism, concern and empathy; Mark Hermes of the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center for capably overseeing the reception arrangements; Beckie Carson and her team at Bodega for preparing the delicious, eye-catching 12-foot charcuterie board for the reception, and going above and beyond on the room setup; Mari Hernandez of Texas One Stop for baking the fabulous sheet cake that garnered rave reviews; Vi Mueller, Cindy Rodibaugh, Catherine & Dennis Poppe, for ably providing hospitality at the reception; Juan and Perla Hernandez, their son, Leo, and his friend, Landon, for assisting at the reception, and also for Juan’s support at our home in the preceding weeks; Carolyn Neely, Denise Winter and Sandi & Jim Kunschick, for their multitude of big and small contributions and kindnesses that continue to make my grief much, much easier to bear; Friends from years ago, as well as Emil’s Fayette County friends and neighbors, who checked on us regularly with virtual hugs and offers of assistance, and for showing their respect and sympathy to our extended family by attending the funeral. Thank you again.