Family and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you this evening. Dad developed pneumonia starting Friday afternoon, and suffered a seizure this morning. His lungs started filling up with fluid this afternoon, so Mom called and we all came to the hospital - got there around 4:45 pm. By that point, Dad was pretty much in a constant state of seizuring. About 5:30 pm, the nurses gave him some medication to help relax him, along with some more morphine to help with any pain and make him more comfortable. He was, and at 6:50 pm, surrounded by family, Dad very peacefully took his last breaths of life. We were able to stay with him in the room for a while afterwards, to say our final goodbyes and decide when the funeral will be held.
Because we have so many family members who live out of town, we have decided to leave it until next Saturday. It will be at 11 am on June 6th at Covenant Christian Reformed Church. We welcome all of you to attend and share with us in a celebration of Dad's life.
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About Me
- Gerald Folkerts
- A former teacher, Gerald is an artist, who now works at home out of his third-floor studio. He is an avid camper, who loves to travel and spend time outdoors. He also has a very eclectic taste in music, and is a firm believer that you can never have too many books or cds. Gerald is also a member of Covenant Christian Reformed Church, and belongs to an octet of very talented singers, called "Celbr8". He is a great husband, father, and grandfather, and enjoys spending quality time with all of his family.
22 comments:
My sincere condolences to you and the family Dana. I have no words to say right now, but just know that many people are still praying for you during the difficult time of mourning. Gerald was a great man of God. He taught me at CCS and I've always enjoyed having him as a teacher and being around him. He will be greatly missed. God bless your whole family. May you lean on Him during this time.
May God grant you peace and strength during this time of mourning and remembering.
Pastor Richard, Bethel CRC Saskatoon (and a fellow King's Board member)
My condolences to you and your family. May the God of all comfort be with you as you mourn the loss of a father,husband and grandfather. That Gerald went peacefully surrounded by his family was truly a blessing. God be with you as you grieve.
Our prayers will continue as you go through the coming days. May God give all of you strength both physically and emotionally. Gerald will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Pat Mowat
our sympathies.
scott & margaret v.k.
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. God strengthen your faith, love and courage with comfort.
We will continue to hold you in our prayers. May the Lord continue to Bless you all in the days ahead.
Dana, Thanks so much for letting us share in the ebb of a very good friend's life, through your faithful blogging. It helped us stay connected from afar. Arliss, I hope and pray that you can have peace and rest after such a long vigil, you are indeed a virtuous woman more than any man could hope for. God bless and keep you all as you grieve for Gerald, he will be missed. I can only hope to imagine what its like to leave a gravel road and get on one paved with gold!!! With love Art and Sue Schaafsma.
Dear Arlis and family,
Although we expected the news we still felt the shock of realizing that Gerald is gone. No more talks, no more hearty laughter, no more smiles. We know that he is with God and without pain but that does not take away your loss. We pray for you daily, and especially for Gerald's mom and your parents. May you all be surrounded by His love at this time and always.
You are in our prayers.
Gerald's brave struggle has come to an end. He is at peace; the pain is gone. On this Pentecost Sunday, may the Holy Spirit of divine comfort rest and abide with all you who mourn the loss of a husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Your family has our condolences and our prayers. We understand no words we offer can give the strength our Lord will provide. We are so thankful for the times we shared with Gerry and we continue to pray for your family and ask God give you peace with Gerald's passing.
Love,
Doug and Sue K.
The Blanchette-Buscio family sends you its sincere condolences. We pray for peace and rest in this time of grieving.
I will miss his interpretations on canvas. The texture of is brush and the subjects and truth through which he communicated.
I can see him now preparing new canvases and exploring with a set of never before seen colors in heaven.
Keep on creating Gerald!
The Blanchette-Buscio family sends their sincere condolences to all of you. We pray for you and ask for peace. I will miss a fellow artist/creator whose artwork I really appreciated. I can already envision him preparing his canvases in heaven and with a host of new colours painting extra-ordinary subjects with praise and worship.
You are missed and blessed! See you later Gerald!
We will continue to pray for all of you in the coming days and weeks as you grieve your loss. We're sure you are feeling a little lost right now, as you have focused on Gerald and his needs for so long that it will seem like you are in a vacuum now that he is gone. Take time to remember the good times, knowing that you will be reunited again in God's time.
May you sense God's presence and His peace.
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
(Chris Tomlin)
praying for you guys this week
Our hearts and prayers go out to your family. It's a time of peace and yet a time of sorrow, you will feel many emotions over the next few days and weeks. May God continue to pour out His loving grace on all of you and hold you in the palm of His hand. God bless you all!
My deepest sympathies - Know that I share your sorrow. May God comfort you. Sylvia Wiebe Mason
In ways big and small your loved one's life changed our world and left it a better place and touched to many hearts to ever be forgotten. May you find comfort in knowing how many people share your sadness.
Mij condolences to you and the family. We pray for you, lots of love from Holland, Arnold en Anneke
My sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to a family who deeply mourn the loss of a vibrant and talented husband, father, son, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. I am thankful that I had the privilege of meeting him. Thanks Dana for sharing with us all the way. Arlis, I pray that you and your children will find peace in knowing Gerald is at peace. Love Lorraine P
Hi Jared, Dana and family,
We wanted to let you know how sorry we are to hear of your dad's passing. We are so glad our family has been able to get to know your family, including your dad, through GLBC. We have appreciated all of your commitment and work for the kids, and were especially inspired by the artwork your dad shared at camp. We are sorry we will not be able to attend the memorial service, but unfortunately, we are caring for my mom, who is near the end of her own battle with cancer. But our thoughts and prayers will be with you. May you sense the love of God, your family and friends at this time.
Love Paul, Shelley, Ryan, Jaclyn and Christa
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