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.”
Read the article: More Grandparents Stories
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