Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Hello Martin, Sam, Danny
In 1972 I transferred from U of M Morris to St Paul. Apryl and I were roommates in the dorm that year. I was in Pre-Vet. She was the BEST roommate. I remember she claimed to be an atheist. But she said she saw something in me. "How do you know there is a God?" I opened my Luther Small Catechism and read verses to her one night.
Loved that she called my folks to want me to be her witness marrying Martin. I was on a Boundary Waters canoe trip with a high school friend's family that summer. They shorted their vacation to bring me back home to travel back to St Paul. I remember a dimly lit church entrance where the ceremony was held. I believe Apryl's parents were there too. I remember thinking, this is how I want to get married! Did not do that. But it was SO SPECIAL to be there in that moment in that time.
I also agree with her. In my time I also do not want a funeral. When my husband Gary passed, I did not have a funeral for him, but in his obituary I told everyone to "remember Gary as you knew him."
A tribute to those who touch our lives.
Karen (Eckhoff) Van Riper
