Great To Have Friends and Neighbors

It has been a great harvest this year. Not only did the weather cooperate but I had the best corn and bean yield I have ever seen. It has also been a sad harvest, too, with my dad passing away. About six weeks ago, my dad and mom went out to Sioux Falls where my two sisters live. They had hospice care set up while dad and mom stayed with my sister. The past two weeks my dad was at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. What an incredible facility with trained staff to take care of Dad and manage the pain. Dad's care was provided so the family could just be with Dad.

I know I am not the first son that lost a dad they loved, respected and admired. You knew it was coming and could say good-bye, but you are still sad. I try and think happy thoughts. Dad was almost 87 years old, just six weeks ago he was out at the farm running around on the Gator keeping an eye the crops and mowing the lawn. Plus condolences from friends and neighbors were very comforting. Speaking of neighbors, Dad wanted his neighbors to be pallbearers. I had just gotten back from the National FFA Convention in Louisville and I received a text from my sister. One neighbor, Russell Bathke, offered to take Dad from the church to the cemetery with his restored John Deere 4020. What a perfect way to take Dad to his final resting place.