Remembering Dad with Grief and Gratitude

It is with heavy hearts, my family announces the passing of my dad Richard. Known to my kids and grandkids as “Boppa”, “Bop”, or “Boppy”, we both grieve and believe by faith we will be reunited once more.

Who knew but God that when I sat down to help write my dad’s memoir with him 4 years ago during the pandemic, I’d be helping our family plan his funeral this week.

 Although he has experienced many health challenges through the years and has pulled through most of them with no major life-altering ramifications, his most recent diagnosis came as a shock. In mid-August 2024, after a series of tests in the ER, he received an advanced Liver Cancer Diagnosis. Although the initial treatments were giving him some hope to prolong his life, it was evident in late October that his body was losing the battle with cancer. Thanks to all the nurses and staff at Essentia Oncology Department and the Sanford Fargo Hospice Team for their kind and compassionate care. 

I wAS ON VACATION WITH MY HUSBAND IN HAWAII WHEN DAD’S HEALTH TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST. THE IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENTS FOR HIS CANCER WERE NOT WORKING AS THEY HAD HOPED. I FLEW HOME ON A ONE-WAY TICKET- AND BROUGHT FLOWER LEIS FOR DAD AND MOM. I ADMIRE DAD’S BRAVERY AND THE SMILES HE MUSTERED UP FOR ME WHILE I WAS WITH HIM DURING THESE LAST 3 WEEKS OF LIFE.

It has been an honour to serve him and be by his side as both daughter and caregiver with mom, my siblings and Sanford Hospice care team these past 3 weeks here in Fargo until he passed away early Monday morning here at home on November 18th.

I witnessed his last breath.

Still processing all that I have carried and witnessed through Dad’s unrelenting hope amidst his sufferin. Maybe someday I’ll share more about it, but for now- I am feeling the grief deeply within my entire being.

Grateful for the love and support of family, friends and pastoral care through Bethel Church - Fargo, Mom and Dad’s faith community these past 20+ years.

For a full read of his obituary, click the link here.

Prayers are appreciated as we prepare to say our final goodbye as a family with the support of family and friends who can join us on Wednesday, November 27th at 11 am at Bethel Church here in Fargo, ND.

It was a part of Dad’s dying wish, that his funeral not be so much about him but about his family, his faith, and to comfort one another with God’s promises. But heh, I’m going to include a QR code for the funeral for anyone to download Dad’s memoir to get a glimpse into the life of my dear dad and the full life that he did live. Dad smiled at that idea, as we both grew through that process of writing, editing, sharing, and reminiscing together as that project took shape. I had a deeper sense of God’s story impacting our stories, and want to encourage others to reflect on their stories too.

Looking forward to my husband, girls and grandkids flying in soon. It’s been a heavy time emotionally, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world to be here with Mom and support where I can.

(If a video stream is available, I’ll share it here next week.)