In Memory of Grandpa Wilde and Heather Ann

I feel like I want to write this post in regards to the last couple of weeks.  They have been emotional. They have drained me, and this week I really haven't been my best self.  One of my closest cousins growing up passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 12.  On July 27th my Grandpa Wilde passed away. I think Satan has tried to swoop in when he knows I am not at my strongest.  He has only tried, and has not had any success on my Testimony.  It has only grown!  I want this post to be a memorial of them, but to also share my Testimony of the knowledge of the Resurrection and that Families are Forever.  There is life after death.

Grandpa Wilde was 89 years old when he died, and lived a full life.  Here is his obituary:

LeRoy Dean Wilde

June 9, 1929-July 27, 2018 

LeRoy Dean Wilde was born in Picabo, Idaho, at the beginning of the great depression. He passed away in Pocatello, Idaho. He was 89 years old.
Parents: Albert Francis Wilde and Eva Green. He was the middle child of 5 boys. Roy and his brothers were very close friends. They grew up on a ranch and Roy loved being a cowboy and breaking wild horses. He went to school until the 8th grade, when he and the other boys his age were given commando training in preparation for World War II. He did not have to go to war, the Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the war ended.
Roy met Celia Thueson one day at church. He fell immediately in love. He right there declared he “was going to marry that girl!” They were married in Elko, Nevada May 9, 1949, and a few days later were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 12th. They had 7 children. 
The railroad took them to Ketchum, Idaho where Dean was born. Roy then went to work for Atomic Energy in Arco, Idaho. They then moved to Carey, Idaho, where Dennis was born. Later, they relocated to Pocatello where Larry, Terry, Darrell, Sheryl, and Teresa were born. They bought Reynolds Coal in 1965, and Roy delivered coal for over 30 years. He also worked at Union Pacific Fruit Express for 38 years.
Roy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved missionary work. Up until a few months before his death he was serving a mission at The Bishop’s Storehouse, where he served for 8 years. He also served as Ward and Stake missionary on numerous occasions. He served as Branch President at Hillcrest Haven Convalescent Center twice. Roy served in other various church callings throughout his life with a very loving and generous heart. He loved serving people and had particular concern for the elderly. He loved to listen to his kids sing the church hymns and enjoyed listening to his wife play the piano.
Roy loved to be with his family. He often took his family on camping vacations to Big Wood River, Redfish Lake, Twin Lakes, and Silver Creek. He enjoyed fly fishing and teaching his kids how to fish. Roy loved daddy daughter dates, Coca Cola, chocolate covered cherries, meat and potatoes (cowboy!), grandchildren, and family reunions. He loved to talk about his life experiences and sharing the Gospel with anyone who would listen. 
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his life-long sweetheart Celia, his son Terry, a daughter-in-law Carma, and his brothers Marvin, Melvin, and Donald. He is survived by his brother Marion Wilde and his wife Sheri, two sisters-in-law Betty Wilde and Donna Wilde. Six children: LeRoy Dean Wilde Jr. (Tisha), Dennis K. Wilde (Vickie), Larry Neil Wilde (Wanda), Darrell Von Wilde (Noreen), Sheryl Wilde, Teresa Wilde Bosen (Doug). LeRoy and Celia have 27 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren. 
LeRoy was a loving husband, great father, fun grandpa, and loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. But we know he is having a happy reunion with his loved ones in Heaven.

Grandpa Wilde had fallen while working in the Bishop's storehouse earlier this summer.  He broke his hip and had to have a total hip replacement.  While in the hospital, they discovered that he had prostate cancer and that it had spread. This was the beginning of the quick downhill-slope to his life.  He passed away when his organs gave up.

Payson with my mom and Grandpa when he was a year old.

I had the opportunity to help with whatever was needed of me during funeral planning time since I was staying at my aunt and uncles house with my mom.  It was a blessing to organize photos and musical numbers.  His funeral was something special.  The Spirit was so strong, and I know he and my Grandma were smiling as we remembered his life, and his strong Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At the funeral the Great-Grandkids sang "I Am a Child of God," I Want to Be a Missionary Now," and "Families Can Be Together Forever."  The Grand-daughters sang "Gethsemane."  It really was a peaceful time.  Here are a few pictures from the funeral and viewing.

Grandpa Wilde had an amazing Testimony, and he wants all of his posterity to come home, and be, not only with him forever, but with Heavenly Father.  I remember him telling me about many spiritual experiences he had throughout his life.  He was very in-tune with the Spirit and a great example to me.  A few more pictures of Grandpa holding each one of my babies, and a few of him with my family.

He was a great man, and his Testimony will continue to affect those who knew and loved him.

My sweet cousin, Heather Ann, passed away unexpectedly because of a diabetic coma.  She didn't know she had diabetes.  She was a fighter, though, and came back after coding several times in the hospital.  The last time she coded her body gave out.  Here is her obituary: 

Heather Ann Rosenthal-Gill (McBride), age 33, Marietta, died August 12, 2018. Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. Heather had a passion for her children, family, dancing, animals and doing hair. Survivors include her husband, Ryan; children Connor and Madilyn; mother Sheryl and father Grant (Yvonne); siblings, Becca (Jon), Hannah, Josh, and Amber, in-laws Arlene and Ed.

Here is one picture of Heather, her sister, and me when we were children.  The other picture was taken of Heather and I at the luncheon after my Grandpa's funeral.

Her death was a lot harder to process.  She was young, she had a young family, and it was so sudden, but this does not mean she went to a different place than my Grandpa.  He was the first to open his arms and welcome her into the Spirit World.  We believe that we are eternal beings.  Our mortal existence is only a part of God's Great Plan.  His plan is a Plan of Happiness.  Why did her passing make me so sad?  Because I am not perfect.  I can't comprehend that this life is only a pin-prick in time.  It is a time for us to gain a body and to learn.  It seems like a life-time is a long time, but in the eternal scheme of things it is actually very short.  Yes, I am sad that my cousin's kids lost their mother for now, but they will see her again, and she will be right there watching them grow and learn.  It is hard!  No one said this life would be easy, but oh how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and what it has taught be about eternal life. 

There must be a reason, that I don't know or understand right now, why she was taken when she was.  I believe God can and does perform miracles, but he knows each one of us individually.  He knows what is best for us, and for our loved ones, even if we don't know, and can't see it.  Shortly after Heather's passing I came across a video that can be a comfort to those going through difficult times whether it be the passing of a family member or even just something else that is HARD. 

To my friends and family who care to read this post - I urge you to hold on to your knowledge of Jesus Christ whether it is big or small.  Know that HE is the one who has made it possible for God's plan to work.  He is there to comfort us in hard times.  HE is our Savior.  Hang on to him!

I am grateful to know and love both my Grandpa Wilde and my cousin, Heather.  I am grateful for my memories of them.  I am most grateful that I will get to have many more memories in the life to come with them, and with all those I know and love now.