For as long as many of us can remember, Angela would invite us to send our Guardian
Angels to watch over those who were in particular need of our prayers and blessings.
All of us here today can think of times, perhaps difficult times, when just the smallest spark of
inspiration encouraged us to succeed or to see ourselves through adversity. It may have been
a prayer or a blessing. Perhaps it was a well-placed remark — maybe spiced with just a dash of
sarcasm. It may have been just a look — or that famous smile of hers. Angela touched us all
that way — in many special ways.
Angela touched her family ... It is with the greatest joy and pride that we celebrate Angela's
devotion to our family. Her profound sense of responsibility and sacrifice gave us all the
comfort of knowing that our Grandma had the finest of care during her later years. Her
energy to be a super-mom and a full-time professional, juggling a demanding career, seemed
endless. Angela's nurturing spirit welcomed us all to enjoy a warm closeness with her. And she always seemed to find the right thing to say to be that
calming influence. We knew we could talk to her. She was there for all of us.
Angela touched her out-of-town relations the same way ... For many of us, Angela was that
family connection. The countless miles away from here that our lives have taken us seemed
never a care for her. We could always count on Angela to share with us the latest news about
our family in Minnesota and beyond. A phone call out of the blue, or a card or letter around
the holidays from Angela and Dick always brought us right back here. And having Angela
and Dick come to town made our celebrations and family gatherings so special and somehow
more complete. We knew that those who could not attend would be able to share, because as
Angela always kept her finger on the pulse of the family, Dolly had the scoop. We're all going
to have to work a little harder now to stay so close.
Angela's touch extended far beyond the family ... Angie had a vocation. She was a true
servant to the community she loved so dearly. For 35 years Angie brought a special brand of
love and cheer to the hospital here. A very rare blend of order and compassion made "Angie's
Room" a place where patients found comfort and inspiration. Angie set the example for us
all in matters of Church and Charity — and always in the most humble of ways. When the
supermarket had a "buy-one-get-one" special, free grocery items somehow found their way to
families in need.
Yes, we've all been touched, really blessed, by Angela ... and we know that by now, she's
rounded up all our Guardian Angels — and she has them toeing the line! And she's already
helping more people than she could here.
Today we celebrate the 60 years we had her to ourselves. Happy Birthday, Angela.
— David Schoewe