Grandpa Haich

Last night, at 2 am, my beloved Grandpa Felix Andrew Haich died. He breathed his last right after receiving the Last Rites and a prayer service, with the parish priest and surrounded by his children and wife. It was the most beautiful way that he could leave this world and join the next.

His funeral will be Tuesday, the 3rd of August, and he will be buried in the Veteran's Cementary in Mandan, ND. He served in WWII, and it will be a beautiful funeral.

The blessing is that he died while I am home in Dickinson, while I am visiting my family for the last time before I leave for Spain. I have someone covering my shifts for me on Monday and Tuesday at Dunn Bros, and I have no pets or anything at home to worry about. I am able to grieve with my family surrounded by me.

Grandpa Haich is very special to me. He taught me how to be a great German gardener by teaching me in the greenhouse. He encouraged me in my pursuit of German, then in my interest in other languages. He always brought old German books for me and spoke German with me. Through him, I acquired a sense of humor. He encouraged me in my love for books as well, always bringing ones he thought I would like. Growing up, through all the difficult times, he was a light in my life, coming home from the farm and giving us Nips candies (or strawberry ones) from his secret stashes.

He died at my aunt's house, not in a nursing home where he would have hated it.

Grandpa had a great life, and a great death. He will be missed, like his jokes and his giggles.

Love you Grandpa. You will be enjoying Spain with me.