On Saturday, March 30th we loaded up the truck for an unexpected trip back to Minnesota. There were a couple of reasons for driving — Max and Minnesota’s DMV delay in getting us our drivers license (very long story on that….LOL).
We had received the news that two very gracious women in our life had passed away — both from cancer — Dar Williams and Debi Billing!! And since the funeral for both were scheduled on the same day, I went to the one in Minnesota and David went with a couple of family members to the one in Wisconsin.
Dar Williams
Dar is our sister-in-law and had once been married to David’s older brother, Bob. Bob passed away from a massive heart attack at a Boy Scout camp many years ago. Dar had married Duane Williams a few years back, but he passed away before her after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Dar had such a gentle soul and a kind heart. I cannot imagine that anyone that met her did not love her!! She always wanted to know what our kids were doing and how the grandkids were growing up so fast. We always saw her at Christmas and then often in the summer too and she never hesitated to come up to us and check in on both the kids and grandkids. She had loving laugh/giggle when we would tell her a story about one of the kids/grandkids such that you know she was so genuine and caring about all of them.
Dar has two fantastic sons — both young men, Mike and Mark, have become successful in life and provided great grandchilden for Dar to spoil. She always shared her stories of their adventures and you could see the sparkle in her eyes with every tidbit she shared. And even though she was going through strenuous cancer treatment and therapy, her attitude was always positive. Even when she called us a month ago and told us all treatment had been stopped and the doctors gave her 3-6 months, she shared the news with strength and determination. She was a strong believer in God and with that strength she said she could face anything ahead of her.
We had hoped to see her on our travels back to Minnesota in May, but we did not get to do that. David said her funeral was very fitting for Dar, with a good number of people in attendance — again a tribute to what a loving heart she had for everyone! My heart and soul was with the Andersons that day as we all lost a loving piece of our family.
Debi Billing
On the same Friday as Dar’s funeral there was a funeral in Andover for my cousin, Debi!! Debi is the daughter of Cliff (my mom’s brother) and Inez Wilson. I was always in awe of Debi when I was a kid and we would go up to Park Rapids every summer for a few weeks. Debi was an only child, and not like the rumored only child syndrome, she was always very sharing with everything she had. And she had only the best of the toys, the ones I always hoped someday I would have! 🙂 But Debi shared it all without a moment of hesitation. Her mom, Inez, was always there to provide what we wanted and was so kind in all that she did.
Debi has battled cancer longer than I did. But when I was going through my treatments, she always had the most positive words of support in her emails and messages. Even though what she was going through was harder, she still encouraged me to keep battling. It was that spirit that really describes Debi the best. And as her battle would ramp up, she would still share positive words with mine being under control. She was not hesitant to share the details of her lengthy battle, yet I had to ask and then she would pour out her thoughts. In that way, she was somewhat private, not really carrying the banner of look at me I am battling cancer, but supporting those around her as we had our own battles. It was amazing how she could put her own pain aside to ask how I was doing.
In one of the pictures above, you will see Debi with two of her dogs. The little one, Maggie, is actually our dog, Max, sister. 🙂 We got them at the same time while we were visiting our daughter up by Mille Lacs lake. Throughout the 10 years we would have them enjoy little “play dates” with each other which usually went very well, unless there was a toy involved. Then typical brother/sister anger would come out as they battled over the toy. We quickly learned that when they were together, there were not toys in sight!!
The other picture is Debi and her husband Matt. He adored Debi and was always there to support her. It is sad to think of the loss in his heart right now, but hopefully family and friends can be there to help him through all of this. Debi and Matt have a fantastic son, Shawn who is married to Lisa and have three adventurous boys. Debi adored her family and was always proud of their achievements.
I know it is a part of life when people pass away. But sometimes it also gives you a chance to reflect on your own life and the people in it and how short life can be. As we have family gatherings in the future, Debi and Dar will be greatly missed, but I like to believe that their spirits will always be with us, although the pain has passed for them and now only joy fills their spirits!
TIFN
Dandy Ventures 