More Grandparents Stories

Lorene Schwab of Eagan, Minn., would like to say thank you to her wonderful grandmother, Lorraine Anderson. “From the time I was a child, I have loved spending time with my Grandma! We love to spend time at our cabin on Caribou Lake, play cards and go shopping together. Now that I am a mom, I love watching my beloved grandma be a great-grandmother to my daughter, Lily. She plays on the floor with Lily, reads her books and never tires. My grandma is always helping out — she comes down with my mom two Fridays a month to baby-sit Lily. She even cleans our bathrooms while she visits. My grandma is a blessing in the lives of our family, I am so glad to have such a wonderful, kind and giving grandmother!”

My daughter, Lily Mae Schwab, 20 months, has the best grandparents! Lily’s grandparents, Donna Mae and Tom Frisk, started taking care of her before she was even born. While I was pregnant, Lily’s twin died and Lily’s life also was in jeopardy. I went on bed rest for 12 weeks and Lily’s grandparents moved to the Twin Cities to live with us, cook for us, clean for us, drive me to doctor appointments and stayed until after she was born healthy on Jan. 12, 2011. Since moving back home, Lily’s grandma and grandpa come down to the Twin Cities two Fridays a month so she doesn’t have to go to day care. They have Lily for sleepovers, take her camping, take her to story time at the library, take her to the waterpark and are very involved in her life. Lily is truly blessed with the best grandparents, and we are so grateful for all their love!

Submitted by Lorene Schwab of Eagan, Minn.

Our grandparents, Pete and Joan Wisneski, are very special to us. They are two of the most godly people we know and are kind to everyone. They have always been a large part of our lives and support everything we do, including our education and our athletics. Without our grandparents, we wouldn’t have some of the wonderful memories that we have today. We love them so much!

Submitted by Morgan and B.J. Wisneski

Vanessa Anderson says: “I remember the cabin. Grandpa, Ray Ulvi, taught me how to fish there. My memory goes back to when I was about 3 years old. Whenever we had a rainstorm, a large puddle of water would form in front of my grandparents’ house. Grandpa would sit me in a small pink plastic chair and give me a fishing pole he made me from a tree-branch — a string tied around it with a hook and bobber on the end. I would sit for hours fishing!

“Now I’m 27 and his only granddaughter. I have my own home, thanks to my grandparents. My grandpa, bless his heart, is my painter, plumber, carpenter and landscaper. He’s there for me 24/7.”

Jon Ulvi shares that he is Ray’s 17-year-old grandson and his only one. “My grandfather has been a large part of my life. I remember back when I was in the third grade and one day I was coming out of school and there was Grandpa sitting in his truck waiting to take me fishing. Along with the fishing we would have big campfires, fish fries and always trying to outfish Gramps for crappies. When I got into junior high school, I drove go carts. Grandpa was my mechanic — the best. Even when I did something ‘dumb’ like breaking the blade on a lawnmower or messing up the barbecue grill, he would come and fix them, always wearing his loving smile.

“We are both very proud of our grandpa. He has served his country, having retired from the U.S. Air Force. He’s not only there for us, but there for anyone who needs him; his neighbors, his friends, his church. He volunteers for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and at a local nursing home. That’s why we love him and think he’s so special.

“As each and every day goes by, he will do without to help us out. He spends time talking with us, gives us guidance, ideas, advice and will help us financially when we need it. Spoiled? Of course we are. But, most of all we are truly blessed to have Ray Ulvi as our awesome grandfather who turned 82 on Oct. 3. Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you.”

Anne Hilinski of Esko says her granddaughters are the sweetest girls. For her 60th birthday three years ago, they each gave her a special present. Brianna, who lives in Houston, made a collage of pictures when growing up at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Brittney, who lives in Esko, wrote a poem for her. They were both 13 at the time.

I Love You Grandma

Grandma, I want you to know …

I finally figured out what makes you glow

It’s your hope, faith, and love

And your guardian angel up above

Your ambition for things keeps you going

Nothing ever seems to make you down from what you’re doing.

There’s a reason that God put you on this earth

I bet your mother knew it since your birth.

Grandma, you were put here to help the world see

Even tho you’re sixty, you sure made a difference in the world to me.

Another year older, sure you still have time to make it come true

If you don’t, I’ll see to it that I take your place and I do.

You may not think it, but you are the strongest being,

As you would look the devil in the eyes, you would send him fleeing.

People like you is what the devil fears most

You teach people of God, and then they see the light of him

Psh! That devil is toast!

Because of you I found God

People that don’t get it find it odd.

When I let him in that night, I knew

Lori was my guardian angel.

There was that other night I felt Lori hug me,

And all I remember is thanking you for showing me.

Grandma, you’re a great person and I know you’re going to heaven.

If you were never the person you are now, well I guess no lucky number seven.

Grandma, I hope you know now that I love you

Age is but a number, but hey, what can I do?

We all get older but we all have a purpose here too.

I haven’t figured out mine, but I just said one for you.

Grandma I love you.

You’re only sixty – make it worth your while!

Wayne “Bud” and Avis Hasforth are the most amazing grandparents. My sister and I were fortunate to grow up only a few blocks away, which meant we have been able to spend a lot of time with them. Grandma was always up for baking cookies and pies with my sister, or play Legos with me. When I would be feeling artistic, she would let me use whatever I could find to complete my projects. I don’t know how many bobby pins, cotton balls and how much scotch tape was used in the creation of my art, but I remember using a lot! I trust her expertise in many areas, so it isn’t uncommon for me to call her with questions when I am cooking something for the first time, and my sewing projects always end up on her kitchen table!

Grandpa encouraged us to read by letting us pick out a brand new book each time we completed reading a book to him. Grandpa also is a very talented woodworker. Among other things, he made beautiful cedar hope chests for his four granddaughters, and a grandfather clock for his only grandson. My sister asked him to please make us clocks as well, and I am proud to display mine in my living room today! I look forward to passing my cedar chest down to my daughter one day.

They have taken many trips to Oregon to visit family, and my sister and I each had the opportunity to go with them. I got to see the national parks and other landmarks in eight states, and cousins I had little contact with before then. We would not have had the chance to travel across the country and see the states the way we did otherwise. They also took us camping in the summers.

Breakfast at Grandma’s on Christmas morning is one of our favorite pasttimes. Growing up and extending our families has made this more difficult to maintain, but it is something we feel strongly about. This past year though, we did give Grandma the morning off and my husband baked her yummy egg bake recipe. We were happy that we were all still together Christmas morning at least.

When my husband and I bought our first house, my grandparents were there. My grandpa cleaned all my windows inside and out, while my grandma helped me inside. I will never forget her down on her hands and knees with me, scrubbing the entryway floor. She would always say “if I get down, I may not get back up!” but there she would be on the floor playing Legos with me, years later on my floor scrubbing away, and even now on the floor with my children playing with those very same Legos! She just doesn’t seem to age. When we sold our house five years later, they let us stay with them for four months until we found a different house. We can’t thank them enough for all they have done for us throughout the years, and I am so thankful my children are getting the chance to know them like I do!

The things I could say are endless so I will wrap it up with this, I love you Grammy and Grampy. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and more to come!

Stacie Hansen of Duluth

Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Herb would do anything for us! We look forward to their Saturday morning visits. Grandpa Herb always brings us Oreos. We love you!

and

We love our Grandpa Dan and Grandma Lil Holm so much! They are the best grandparents ever! They are there whenever we need them. We love you! God bless you!

Love, Taylor and Sadie Dillon of Hermantown

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