Sad News but Stitching Through it.

 Barb and I drove out to Oasis Quilt store so she  could spend her gift cards.  We saw the cutest quilty Santa Claus there.

 I worked on more blocks for the Temecula Quilt Company "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

 Now all twelve of the blocks are done.  A little eclectic but it is okay.

My sad news is my mom's dad, my Papa DeLos passed away yesterday morning.  I am so glad I took a quick trip to Wisconsin to see him last month.  His mind was good, but his body was not cooperating with him anymore.  He was pretty miserable so I am glad he is free from his pain and reunited with my Grandma Char who passed away almost thirty years ago.  

 Here he is with my mom, my aunt and me.  He was one of the best men I have ever known and I sure will miss him.  Hard working, funny, always encouraged me to jog with him or go to the Y way back when and he was an exercise nut.  Near the end he loved his Culver's shakes but was so proud of me for finally working on getting healthy.

Pretty sure I am not flying back for the funeral though I really want to go I just don't think it is in the cards.  Sometimes it is really hard to be so far away!
*edit*

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OBITUARIES

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DeLos Walker

DeLos Walker was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. DeLos, age 88, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday morning, December 12, 2015, under the care of St. Joseph’s Home and Hospice program at The Classic at Hillcrest Greens Assisted Living in Altoona, Wisconsin. He was born October 19, 1927, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire to Anton and Myrtle Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Colleen Sneen, his first wife and mother of his children, Charlene (Rushman) Walker, and his second wife, Virginia (Loiselle) Walker. DeLos is survived by his brother, James (Anne) Walker of Eau Claire.

DeLos and Charlene had four children. He is survived by all four of them who have always been a very important part of his life. Steven Walker, Eau Claire; Toni Lynn (Gary) Hirn, Arizona; Nancy (Greg) Pederson, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; and Dan (Babette) Walker, Eau Claire. He has 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

DeLos graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He proudly served in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Great Lakes, Chicago, Illinois, and then, San Francisco, California. DeLos owned and operated Walker’s Decorating Center in Eau Claire for many years. He loved to play golf, racquetball and jog. He was an avid sports fan all of his life, supporting the Packers through it all. He loved being up on the news and read several newspapers daily. It was always a must for his day, no day was complete without his papers! He served on the board of the YMCA, he was also a member of Kiwanis and one of the founding members of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was very involved in activities in the Eau Claire area.

DeLos spent over 50 years enjoying summers at his cottage in New Auburn, Wisconsin. It was a very special place for him. He made many happy memories there with his family and friends. He will be missed terribly by his children and family and will long be remembered for his dry sense of humor, something most will always remember about our “special dad.”

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Pastor Brahm Semmler-Smith will officiate. Visitation will take place at the church Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Private family inurnment with military honors rendered by American Legion Post #53 will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire at a later date.

Friends and family may offer condolences online athttp://www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.

Memorials may be given in DeLos’ name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

*edit* Sunday afternoon I added borders, quilted and bound this Celtic Solstice leftovers tablerunner for my cousin Tara for Christmas.  I was happy with the quilting on it--hope she likes it!