NOTE: I post this simply because it is a way that many who knew Karen could find out that she had passed from the brain cancer that presented itself in August. Karen was a very fine and loving person who spent many years going where I went and supporting me during all the drama and trauma that came to us while pastoring in those 14 congregations scattered over five states and 26 years. My sons have been wonderful in their care for their mom right through the end of life. I am very proud of them as they too were dragged all over the country , changing schools on a moments notice and giving up their friends. In spite of all that, they have turned out as excellent sons, husbands, fathers and friends for which I am very grateful.
This is not to not acknowledge all the also fine Church members who have passed in this life having also been through much in their WCG/COG experiences
Thank you in advance for those who have made kind and supportive comments.
Karen Fuessel Diehl
July 17, 1950 -December 19, 2018
Journal entry by Chris Diehl —
Moms struggle is over and she is at peace. Mom passed away at noon today in her sleep. She was in no pain and was not alone. My brother Jeff and I were with her the whole time. We we're able to hold her hands and be right next to her up until her last moment.
Journal entry by Chris Diehl
Moms service will be Friday December 28th at Kornegay and Moseley Funeral Home here in Columbia. Visitation will be from 1pm to 2pm.
15 comments:
Deep condolences to you and your family, Dennis, in this saddest of times. If my beliefs are correct, the only thing we get to take with us into the next life are the memories of the experiences and relationships we had in this one. IIRC, in the past you yourself have likened death to the shedding of a wetsuit. We all know from your past sharings that you have many wonderful memories to go along with the deep philosophical questions brought to all of us by the process of living life. May you find great comfort in those memories.
BB
Thank you for posting this, Dennis. My condolences go out to you, your sons and all the rest of your families (yours and hers). Please don’t hold in your grief. It takes a real man to cry. Hugs to you and yours.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Dear Dennis and family, Many delightful memories of Karen. We were in the choir together at one point along our walk in life. It was fun to giggle with her and share many happy moments. Bonnie
Dennis, thanks for sharing. Often our most profound discoveries and growth are through such struggles as you have described, and we can even benefit by vicariously sampling the trials of another person. I think you will have a happy surprise when you see her again!
We are all with you Dennis.
I feel for you Dennis and family. Sincerely, Barry
Dennis,
My heart goes out to you, your sons, Shorty, and the rest of Karen’s family. I am glad she died without a lot of pain. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.
Jim-AZ
Dennis, you have laid bare deeply personal and unsheltered vulnerability to complete strangers here on this forum. I respect that, although we will disagree on different things. We share the fact that we live in a finite "space time" and that entropy eventually must be faced by all of us.
The Bible refers to death as that "last enemy", something all of us will face.
My condolences and thoughts for you, your children and other family members at this sad and difficult time.
Dennis and family,
I am very sorry for your loss!
Rich
Thank you Connie and all for kind words and encouragement. It has always helped me more to be as open about experiences as I can be rather than pack them in and let them others perhaps feel it's ok to. I'm a firm believer in "What eats you....eats you." Good mental and physical health is to get off one's high horse and join humanity in the struggle and the journey. I have adopted a simple life, some out of necessity and some out of that is just the way I think about "stuff". While my original reason for coming to Oregon and Portland evaporated, it served to get me to a place I needed to be myself. It is only the second place in my life that I chose to go to of my own free will. All the others were church ordained. My boys and I are close after all that has gone before and Karen and I were able to have a very nice reunion and long talks just a few weeks back before she took her final turn. We have six beautiful grand kids none of whom would exist had I refused to go to my final church area in South Carolina. I came to really dislike SC very quickly and the church was like none other I had ever pastored in terms of back stabbing and politics. It was one hell of a place, for me to be at least, when the Tkaches came to town. It went from 450 to 16, praise Jesus for his miracle in the church lol.
Anyway, I stray. Thank you all for your kind words. Life does what it does...
My condolences to you Dennis, and thank you for sharing.
We may not agree on several things, but we share this human life, with its problems and challenges, and heartaches.
I can empathise with you, having myself lost parents, a sibling, and a daughter.
I am so pleased that you were able to meet up and talk things through, and reminisce with Karen in her final days. That must make things easier than if you hadn’t been in contact, and you can be at peace with her.
I believe that ultimately the future is great for both you and Karen, but this isn’t the time or place to say any more.
Dennis: My condolences to & your family. Having lost 2 beautiful wives myself I can truly
commisserate with you & yours. It takes a long time to heal from these losses & it helps to
just take it one day at a time. No shame for the unexpected "waterworks" that suddenly spring
forth out of nowhere (even after more than a year for me with my 2nd). Christ wept too, maybe
not for the exact same reason but from the compassion He felt & we too. Someday...whatever...
platitudes just do not work here. too trite & empty. So from the heart ...wish you & yours well.
My condolences to you and your family, Dennis. Peace.
My condolences and deepest sympathy to you and to your family, Dennis. We've never met but your kind words and articulate, well-reasoned thoughts have provided much comfort and healing to me over the past 10-15 years. I hope this tiny little comment from me can bring you some of the comfort you've brought to me.
Dan
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