Karla's Dad's Obituary

Karla's Mom and Dad passed away within 6 weeks of each other. Dad died right after Christmas. Needless to say, the end of 2008 was hard for us.

Alvin Meislahn

Alvin Matthew Meislahn , 80 , passed away peacefully on December 30, 2008.

He joined his beloved wife Barbara in eternal life with our Savior. Memorial services will be held at Oakwood United Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, with visitation at the church on Friday, January 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Born to Bernard and Anna Meislahn on August 15, 1928 in Gray, IA, Al was the youngest of seven children. He married the love of his life on November 10, 1966. Barb and Al raised four children together and took great pride in their twelve beloved grandchildren. He loved to entertain others with his gift of singing and playing his harmonica. Al belonged to American Legion Post 374 and the Professional Musicians and Entertainers of Iowa, of which he was inducted into its Hall of Fame, and won many awards for his musical talents. Al and Barb were members of Oakwood United Methodist Church.

Al passed to his children his sense of family, giving spirit, and commitment of helping others – lending a hand to those in need. Al served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Retiring after 30 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Postal Service, Al and Barb filled their retirement days with travel and spending time with family and friends. They relished their time with their “Classics” church group and many close friends at the South Side Senior Center.

Al is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his parents, brother Chris, and sisters Selma and Gertrude. He is survived by his children John, Karla (Russ) Nemec, Brian (Jodi), Jeff (Mindy); grandchildren Johnny, Lindsey, Alexis, Connor, Blake, Dusty, Nicholas, Katie, Carter, Brett, Cameron, and Claire; siblings Herman (Irene), Leona (Gene) Rohe, Evelyn (Richard) Morrell.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Oakwood United Methodist Church.

Karla's Mom's Obituary

Karla's Mom passed away right before Thanksgiving. She had been battling cancer for 3 years.

BARBARA JANE MEISLAHN

Barbara Jane Meislahn, 68, died of cancer on November 15, 2008, surrounded by her husband and children. Memorial services will be held at Oakwood United Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, with visitation at the church on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8.

Born to Mildred and Arthur Gilbert on October 31, 1940, Barb was one of 8 siblings and 12 children raised in the Gilbert home. She married her husband of 42 years on November 10, 1966, after Alvin serenaded his way into her heart and danced her off her feet. They raised four children together, creating lasting memories through family vacations and holidays at the Gilbert grandparents, and Barb reveled in her 12 beloved grandchildren.

Devoted to family and God, Barb demonstrated her loving, joyful spirit by inviting extended family and friends into her welcoming life and home. There was always an abundance of homemade cooking on the table. She further blessed and served through her seamstress skills and in decorating family wedding cakes. She filled her empty nest days traveling with Alvin, playing Scrabble and Cribbage, cheering at grandchildren’s sporting evens, and joining bible studies and "dinner for 8" activities with her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Joyce. Left to cherish her memory are husband Alvin, sons John, Brian (Jodi) and Jeff (Mindy) and daughter Karla Nemec (Russ); grandchildren Johnny, Lindsey, Alexis, Connor, Blake, Dusty, Nicholas, Katie, Carter, Brett, Cameron, and Claire; siblings Duane (Margaret), Virginia McCaulley, Sharon Phipps (Dick), Larry (Julie), Roger (Jerry), Steve (Rose), Linda Gilbert (Mike), Janet (Dan), and David (Sheryl). Memorial contributions may be sent to Oakwood United Methodist Church.

Making Glass Ornaments at Thames Glass

Before we left the Newport area, we knew we had to make ornaments at Thames Glass. We'd done it once before, and liked the experience so much we wanted to do it again. So Sunday, Dec 14, we went with our friends Becky and Danny for a glass blowing lesson. Becky, Danny, Nic, & Katie all made ornaments; Russ made a paperweight. The glass has to cool down in an oven for 2 days, so we picked up our creations later in the week. They all turned out great!

Holiday Ball

Saturday night Karla and I went to a Holiday Ball at Rosecliff Mansion. The ballroom at Rosecliff has been used in a few films, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies, and Amistad. It was really fun--great food, open bar, free valet parking, and a chance to get all dressed up.

Katie's Last Riding Lesson in RI

Today was Katie's last riding lesson before we move back to Maryland. She loves her teacher, Lori (and of course all the horses she's ridden.) Her horse for this lesson, Holly, was being a little stubborn, but Katie got her to trot a few times--even though it's so hard for Katie to use the crop on a horse (she's just too kind.) Katie has looked much smoother on other horses in previous lessons. 

This is something we will definitely continue at a stable in Maryland, since Katie is really a horse person.

Boston Freedom Trail

Last Saturday we finally walked the Freedom Trail in Boston, before the weather turned too cold. We saw Paul Revere's, John Hancock's, and Ben Franklin's parents' graves, the Old North Church, Paul Revere's house, and lots of other historic sites. 

It'll probably be our last trip to Boston while we live nearby.

Trick or Treat