Hi Everyone,
Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments! It is a great comfort to know that so many people are surrounding us in prayer at this time. Just wanted to share with you a few more links for articles that have been written about Dad in the last few days. The first was written by Morley Walker, who wrote a few articles over the past few months for the Winnipeg Free Press. The second was written by Jamie Howison, priest at St. Benedict's table, and one of the people officiating at the memorial service on Saturday.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Visual-artist--46577382.html
http://stbenedictstable.ca/ - scroll about half way down the page, and the article is entitled, "Praying the Offices with a Dying Friend"
Mom also sent me one of the pictures that will be in the paper today with the obituary, so I updated that in the previous post.
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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.
10 comments:
Dana I just want to thank you for your faithfulness in keeping us informed on the blog. Gerald was a patient of ours at the dental office, and he was often seen coming in wearing his shorts, right until Oct of Nov,. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time
Sandi from Dental office
Dana God Bless you girl for all that you have done and all that you are still doing. You have such a gift for making words come alive on paper. Blessings to all of you.
I find no words this evening to express the deep sorrow that weighs upon me as I grieve the loss of Gerald. I mourn the loss of his friendship and sincere concern for me and many others. In the presence of such a great loss, my heart knows only the words of prayer for him and for the beloved family he has left behind.
Raymond
Today you bid your final farewell to a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, a brother, a friend. We are mourning with you and fondly remembering the good times spent with Gerald. We are thankful that he is with our heavenly father but we share your sorrow. May God be your strength in the days that lie ahead.
We attended the funeral today and it was, by far, one of the most beautiful and touching funeral services I have ever been to. Jared, you did an incredible job paying tribute to your father.
Dana, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for creating and maintaining this blog, allowing us a glimpse into the reality of your family's journey throughout this most difficult time.
Today's service stirred up so many emotions and memories; of Gerald, his work in the church, how much he will be missed and also, my father in law. It was three years ago this month he was taken in a car accident. I have been asked if I felt it was easier to deal with a 'sudden death' or one that progresses; I don't think there is a 'better' way-you are still faced with the same hurt, heartache, emptiness and your life changes forever. Having said that however, the good news is; you are not alone in your struggle. You have others around you who understand but most of all, you have God to guide you in your journey. What seems like a lifetime to us is a blink in time to Him. And we have the gift of eternal life to look forward to! It is clear Gerald touched many lives and his legacy will continue...until we meet again...
The funeral service yesterday was a very moving one. We thank all those who contributed to the wonderful celebration of Gerald’s life. And a special thank you to Dana and the blog.
Naomi and I learned to know Gerald through his art, and his leadership with the Manitoba Society of Artists. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but each of Gerald’s was worth at least 10,000, perhaps 100,000. Gerald’s had an awesome ability to tell a story on canvass and to focus attention on the person in the story.
We are full of sadness and sorry at Gerald’s passing. We can only imagine how those who were very close to Gerald must feel. His memory will live on and on and on, and we will build upon what we have learned from Gerald as we live our lives, enriched and privileged to have known him for all too short a time.
Gerald will be remembered by me as an honest friend, a devoted dad and loving husband. I experienced this dear brother in Christ as a grace hugger and mercy giver, a student of scripture and prophetic painter. Here's to Gerald, with thanks to God:
GERALD FOLKERTS
Gravel walker
Earth keeper
Reality painter
Artistic teacher
Liturgy planner
Dedicated worshiper
Friendly observer
Open thinker
Lifelong learner
Kind listener
Earnest talker
Restless sleeper
Tried believer
Sojourner saint
This is so long since the last comment that I don't know if you will see this. But I just read of Gerald's passing in the Dordt Voice. I am shock by the news and find myself taken back to our days at Dordt together. Gerald and I spent many days together on the basketball court and especially on the track field. Gerald was full of fun and never at a loss for his big smile. We weren't close friends but I enjoyed his company and in fact he was my introduction to Canadian's. He taught this Florida boy that there were some wonderful people north of the 49th!
As a cancer survivor myself, I am fully aware of what your family has endured and I also see that you have been surrounded by many brothers and sisters in Christ to help you all through this. You have my deepest sympathy. It is amazing to see what God did with Gerald since he left school. WOW! just about sums it up.
May God be with you all.
In Him,
Jim 'Gator' Bouma
Dordt 1981
I was saddened to read in the Dordt Voice about Gerald's passing. I got to know Gerald on the Dordt soccer team and was amazed with his skill. He was a joy to play with and I learned so much about being a Sweeper from him. If it is any encouragement at all, Gerald made an impact on my life that I still remember and appreciate to this day.
Art Zylstra
Dordt College 1982
Dana God Bless you girl for all that you have done and all that you are still doing. You have such a gift for making words come alive on paper. Blessings to all of you.
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