One pandemic.... two weddings
Brent and Teresa (Miller) 3/28/2020
Two weeks before Brent and Teresa's wedding date, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 hit our country with a vengeance. First, we thought we had to cut the wedding down to 150, then 100, then 25. Each day we had to regroup and make new plans. The week before we learned we could have only 10 in attendance at the wedding. We moved the ceremony to Pleasant Hill Church and had a beautiful service. The neighbors and friends were waiting as the newlyweds left the church, and followed them in a honking parade around the community. We had a wedding meal at our house, including cutting the cake.
On August 29, they held their reception and got to enjoy their stand-ups and took their pictures. They live just across the field from us. Brent works for BT Farms and works with Doug on the farm. Teresa is a bookkeeper for Wellman Telephone Company.
They live just across the field from us at 3380 320th St, Wellman.
Maureen & Nathan Stoddard 12/12/2020
When they chose December 12 as their wedding date, Maureen and Nathan knew it might have to be a smaller wedding. But they were hopeful as things seemed to be opening up. However, a few weeks before the date, the pandemic got worse and restrictions on gatherings were again enforced. Nathan got COVID and they both quarantined, even as they decided to marry with 15 family only and plan for a summer reception with friends and extended family. We set up a corner in West Union Fellowship Hall for the service and another for the meal. Livestream made it possible for more folks to join us. I made another wedding meal (!) and following that, friends and church folks were in the parking lot to light sparklers and honk. Friends set off fireworks and we surprised them with a long white limo ride owned by a friend from church. They live in Grandma's house on the farm for now. Their address is 3245 Johnson Iowa Rd, Wellman.
Arlene Ann Zaerr 1/29/1933 - 12/23/2020
My mother had a stroke December 5 and recovered well. My
biggest COVID fear came true; we were not allowed to be with her in the
hospital. She was about to be discharged when blood thinner complications
caused internal bleeding; they couldn’t locate the source as she grew weaker.
When the tests were finally conclusive, it was clear she would not survive the
required surgery. We were so grateful to find a local Hospice center that
allowed us to be with her for the last 3 days of her life. We were so excited
to see each other! A private family funeral will be January 2, and we hope to
celebrate her life with a community meal in the summer.
I am heartbroken. I talked with Mom nearly every day and hated the fact that it wasn't safe to visit. I hadn't seen her since June, when I did take the risk and go see her at home. It's hard to know, should I have gone more? Or protect her health. It's an excruciating reality of this pandemic. Our beloved aunts and uncles couldn't be with us during Mom's Hospice days or after she died. We did the best we could with video calls.
It is through the joys and sorrows of life that one realizes
how important a church family is. We appreciate everyone who remembered us through the
wedding adjustments, and the prayers for Mom’s healing. On December 23, she
went off to see for herself the multitude of the heavenly host, praising God
and saying,
Peace on earth and
goodwill to humankind!
I'm sure there must have been other noteworthy things this year, but it all seems to fade when compared to two weddings and a funeral. We hope you are well and stay safe, and we look forward to the time we can see our friends and family again!
