Grandpa Bosen passed away Thursday, October 24, 2013. It was a happy thing because he was not doing well! Although, it is sad to hear of a loved ones death, it was good news because I imagined my Grandpa being greeted by my great grandparents, and meeting up with a lot of people he hasn’t seen for a long time. One being my Grandma Wilde who passed away when I was in college. I imagined him telling her- “Mellissa married a great man in the Temple, and they have a wonderful little boy.” Josh and I also talked about how Grandpa Jones (Josh’s Grandfather who passed away just over a year ago) probably found Grandpa Bosen, as well! The picture below is actually Grandpa Bosen and Grandpa Jones talking at our reception! I think if they both would have known each other on this earth longer- they would have been good friends. Now they have eternity to be friends!
Payson and I had a long day of travelling to get to Pocatello, ID before the viewing. (Josh did not come because of work and the expensive last minute plane tickets). We made it to the viewing an hour late, but non-the-less made it. Grandpa Bosen looked so peaceful, and my Grandma Bosen seemed to be at peace, as well.
The funeral was the next day, and it was a wonderful funeral filled with the Spirit. I had the opportunity to attempt to sing “A Child’s Prayer” with all of Grandpa Bosen’s granddaughters and granddaughters in law. “A Child’s Prayer” is the song my sister, cousin, and I use to sing Grandpa all of the time when we were growing up. He loved to hear us sing, so it was an honor to sing at his funeral. After the funeral we went to the burial site for the Dedicatory prayer, given by my Uncle Barry Smith.
After the funeral we had the special luncheon. Everyone in the family was there except Josh, and the three Grandsons on missions (Jason- my brother, Grayson-cousin, and Bryson-cousin). Here are a few pictures from the luncheon:
It was so nice to be with family at this time, and to celebrate the wonderful life my grandpa had. He had a great posterity, and his family line will continue. He was a strong Latter Day Saint, and because he chose to live the Gospel- many future generations will have the blessing of growing up in the Gospel, and having the opportunity to gain a testimony for themselves.
Here are few memories of Grandpa Bosen. (The first picture is Grandpa and me, and the second is Grandpa and Grandma Bosen with their 5 oldest grandkids. I am the baby on Grandma’s lap).
My favorite memory is when I was around age 10. Tina (my sister), Megan (cousin), and I (and possibly others) were “measuring each other for a coffin” in the basement of Grandma and Grandpa’s house. If you were a kid around the time I was, you may have played the silly little trick of “Measuring for a Coffin.” Basically- the person being measured for a coffin lays on the floor with their eyes closed. The person measuring measures the “dead” person’s arms and then legs by lifting them off the ground. When they measure the legs- they pour water down the pants of the ankle for the trick part! We thought it would be funny to measure Grandpa Bosen for a coffin! ha ha We ran upstairs, and he was nice enough to lay on the floor so we could pretend to measure him for a coffin. Boy- was he surprised when we poured water down his pant leg. It was pretty daring of us, but we didn’t get in trouble!!
My other favorite memory was when I was a kid we went to Star Valley Ranch where my grandparents had a membership. They use to drive their RV up there and keep it there for the summer. One year I got to ride in the RV with Grandpa. It was pretty cool because it was just the two of us!
Of course, I have lots of memories, but the third one that always sticks out is when I was staying with my grandparents a couple of nights while I was in Junior High because my parents went out of town. My friend came over, and we wanted to get in the hot tub. My grandpa said, “You better not get in when I get in, I don’t wear any clothes.” Ha ha! We thought that was the funniest thing!
Here are a few pictures I had of Grandpa Bosen from various trips and family activities:
Grandpa Bosen was a great man, and I’m glad that I had a good relationship with him. I look forward to the day when I can see him again, but until then- I will try to do my best because I know that is what he would want, and what he wants for all of his posterity!
And- one last picture of Payson, my mom, and I in St. George. (We flew home from Vegas, so we spent a couple days with my parents and little brother in St. George before heading home).
