Ramona correspondent
Saturday dawned bright and sunny — just the weather we’d ordered for Tooltime Tim Steinborn’s memorial service. Often while preparations were being made, I spoke to Tim and said, “If you’ve accrued any influence yet on the other side, use it for the weather on Saturday.”
We knew it was taking a chance to do an outdoor service, and yet Pat was determined that it would happen. “Tim hated being indoors,” said Pat, “so even if it’s raining, that’s where we’ll be!” Thankfully, we had sunshine with just a touch of breeze.
A lot of other folks were praying for a sunny outcome, too. When Anna Mae Stika of Tampa arrived at the memorial service she gave me a big hug and said, “I was praying for a good day, for a good man!”
More than 200 people gathered on Tim’s land to honor his 48 years with us. Many people mentioned afterwards that the service was so meaningful — it truly was a celebration of Tim, down to having a scarecrow up front, dressed in Tim’s old work clothes, his boots, his tools, his gloves. Tim was “known” in different ways, depending on when you entered his life. So, it was especially comforting when people told stories — someone from work, a classmate, friends and family — all reflecting a different side of Tim. Officiating at the memorial was Dr. Gary Brendel of Idaho, a friend of Pat’s for more than 50 years, and someone who knew Tim as well.
The music was so soothing to our hearts, with Benny Holstclaw singing a song he composed —“There’s a New Star in Heaven.” Lisa Hanschu, a classmate since third grade, sang, “You Lift Me Up,” and I sang “Amazing Grace’” to conclude the service. My sister wrote Tim’s life sketch, which I read. When I saw how long it was, I teased that I’d need snacks and water to get through it. She just smiled at me, and said “It happens just once.”
Tim’s friend, David Staatz, brought his sound system and did a little “broadcasting” (that’s what we call it when David brings his stereo speakers outdoors while he’s doing yard work). David played many favorite country songs before and after the service, and hearing these favorite tunes floating over the spring breeze was very comforting.
Were other things happening in Ramona while Tim was leaving us? Oh, yes, happy moments like Betty Ohm’s birthday that she celebrated with her daughter, Jackie Richardson, and grandkids, Devon and Jordan, on the weekend of March 7. What a happy sight to see Betty and her grandson, flying kites on a windy March day. “Devon bought me a rose bush for my birthday,” said Betty, an avid gardener, “and the name of the pink rose was Angel Face. Isn’t that sweet?”
Betty’s granddaughter, Jordan, wrote about her Grandma Betty in a life essay class where students were asked to write about an unknown hero. Jordan is just 12 years old, and already a great writer. Here is some of what she wrote: “It was a frigid February day when we got the call. . . . The helpless, confused feeling of standing in the hospital, completely clueless, watching my tearful Grandma, labor her way to us while trying to disguise her sobbing eyes, gave me a strong feeling that what was about to happen would be a disaster. A stroke.” Thus began Jordan’s story of her Grandpa Harold’s stroke in 2005, and how her strong Grandmother fought to take care of her beloved husband.”
Jordan closes her essay with these words, “No matter what, Grandma listened to her heart, and followed what she felt was right. I can only hope to become like my wonderful, brave, and strong grandma, Betty Davis Ohm. An unknown hero.”
In February folks celebrated love on Valentine’s Day. I had six women friends — a Wisdom Circle — over for the day. We made scones and omelets and celebrated love in all its forms. I saw Paula Morgan around Valentine’s and she said her husband, Max, gave her a gift — a chain saw — and when I gave Max “a look” (the “what were you thinking, Max? That’s worse than giving a vacuum!!”), Paula was quick to interject, “Oh, I’m thrilled. Now we can cut wood together!” The love of a farmer’s wife — how grand!
Four young Ramona gals —Molly Mercer, Kristy Laing, Bryanna Svoboda, and Vonnie Calvert — came over to Pat and Tim’s house and made Valentine cookies for everybody in Ramona. Tim was well enough to be in the living room, and had enough energy to interject smart remarks and tease the girls as they baked.
Don and Kathy Matkins celebrated when daughter, Jenny, heard that she got her first nursing job at Salina Regional Hospital, in the ICU unit. This was her first choice of positions, but there were only two openings and rarely do first year graduate students get assigned to ICU. But Jenny did!
The hospital selection team was so impressed with her grades and her passion for nursing that before she even graduates May 9, and takes her state board exams this summer, they chose to have her on the team. “She’s ecstatic and we’re excited,” said Jenny’s mom, Kathy, Ramona’s postmaster.
And a couple Ramona residents are recovering from illness. Tony Meyer, who just celebrated his 97th birthday March 3, has a bit of pneumonia and went in Herington Hospital March 7. He’s doing better but remains hospitalized. Judy Gratz went into the hospital March 12 for the same reason but has returned home.
Bryanna Smith, Connie and Dan Smith’s granddaughter, was in the hospital for five days in Salina with pneumonia issues, too. She is home now and Connie and Dan are full time “indoor entertainers” since their little gal would much rather be outside enjoying the spring sun!
Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu were in Salina March 7, celebrating their granddaughters’ birthdays. “Kallie turned 8 and Morgan is 5,” said Grandma Jeanetta. Jayson and Jennifer and their families also were at Jolene and Neil’s place in Salina, for the party. Neil had family members there, too.
Tony Meyer and I were one of many Ramona folks who attended the spring bull sale at Cow Camp Ranch. Others who attended were Junior Hanschu, Rick and Barb Hanschu, and the Deines boys and their father, Merv. Besides being a stellar livestock event, it was a lovely social affair where farmers brought their kids and grandkids, folks relished a wonderful meal, and neighbors and friends caught-up on the news. Lauren Brunner, patriarch of the Brunner family, was there as always but this time there was a new member of the family for him to showoff — great-grandson Harry Alexander Schlickau, born Jan. 22. Harry’s grandpa, Bernie Koch of Wichita, proudly held his first grandchild and the first child for Emily (Koch) Schlickau and her husband, Gale. The baby’s first and middle names have significance — Harry for Gabe’s grandfather and Alexander for Emily’s great-grandfather.
And that’s the news from Ramona, some of it anyway. I will close my column with words that Tony Meyer frequently says: “Time marches on — nothin’ we can do about it.” He is right, but if we are aware of our “numbered days,” we can pack them full of joy, celebrations, loving moments and cherished memories.
So, turn to somebody today, and tell them you love them, show them you respect them, and by all means, thank them for being in your life!