In my time of dyin', don't want nobody to mourn

Remembering my Grandmother, who passed away on 28 May 2011, at age 101. Here is the Eulogy I delivered at her graveside service:

For much of my youth, I thought that Grandma was a strange old lady. She was very tidy, very exacting, and everything had to be “just so.” When I was on my mission in the Netherlands, I came to realize that even the young Dutch housewives were that way. Grandma wasn’t weird; she was very Dutch. And I am proud of our Dutch heritage.
Pethronella Sophia Alberts was born in Utrecht, South Holland on Sunday, 27 June 1909, to Peter Cornelis Alberts and Mietje Rhynsburger, just a year after her family had joined the Church. Grandma writes that her father was a Sunday School teacher, but was unable to attend that morning.
Peter and Mietje were disowned by both sets of parents for being baptized and uniting with such a wicked organization. Because of this, they decided to journey to Zion. When Grandma was 2 years old, her father left the family and journeyed to Ogden, Utah to prepare the way for them. He worked for Brother Dalebout, whose son later served as Stake President in Long Beach and Mission President in the Dutch Mission.
In Peter’s absence, Mietje, her brother Lawrence, and the rest of the family endured persecution, but remained faithful. Finally, after two years, when Grandma was 4, the family was reunited in Ogden.
Nellie was a sickly child, and was not allowed to participate in many activities as a youngster. She writes that she had every known childhood disease, plus a few more, including appendicitis, scarlet fever, and influenza. She continued to struggle with various illnesses for the rest of her life. It is amazing that such a sickly child would live be nearly 102!
She was an A student, but fell far behind in third grade because of the appendicitis. Her efforts to catch up caused her to become anxious and ill, and led to a nervous condition.
The Alberts were a hard-working family, but they also took time for fun, and had weekly family activities. Grandma writes that friends were always welcome in their home, and they enjoyed get-togethers of all types.
The Church was central in the life of the Alberts family. They attended Primary during the week, and their Sunday meetings. Frequently the Elders were called to administer to an ailing family member, and they often gave inspired counsel along with the blessing. These experiences helped to strengthen Nellie’s faith in her Heavenly Father. She writes: “I, myself, have been saved and healed many times by the power of faith and the laying on of hands by those in authority.”
Of her baptism, Nellie writes: “It was in the Ninth Ward that we attended church. On 26 January 1918, a cold Sunday afternoon, I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I went into the waters of baptism feeling cold, nervous and shaky, but came out of the waters feeling warm and well.”
Because of her poor health, Nellie was not allowed to attend Mutual, which made her feel cheated. But she did attend her Sunday Meetings, and sang in the choir. At age 18, she was put in charge of the Mount Ogden 12th Ward Junior Sunday School, with 24 teachers and 200 children. With characteristic modesty, she said “We had the best Sunday School in the Stake at that time.”
She was no recluse, though, for she had many friends, and was involved in many activities. She worked in the notions and jewelry department of a store for $9 a week, an impressive sum back then.
Grandma first saw Grandpa at a missionary homecoming, and knew that he was the one. They were introduced at a dance, and soon began dating.
Nellie and Rulon were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and eternity on 27 March 1930. They were blessed with four children:
Wayne 1 Oct 1930
Ronald 17 Apr 1932
Donna 4 Oct 1933
Gerald 24 Apr 1935.
In typical orderly fashion, they were born every 18 months. Grandma writes that they were blessed financially and continued to prosper as their family grew. Vacations, education and family activities were an important part of their home.
On 14 January 1944, Grandma became a citizen of the United States. At that time she had her name legally changed to Nellie. She thought it wasn’t right to be called by one name and be on the records by another.
Grandma held many callings in the church, including:
Visiting Teacher
Primary Teacher
Secretary of the YWMIA
Manual Counselor in the YWMIA
Stake Junior Girl Advisor
Beekeeper in Mutual
Relief Society Literary Teacher
Relief Society Welfare Counselor
Secretary of Ward Welfare Committee
Ward Choir Member
Stake Relief Society Theology Advisor
Sunday School Teacher
Ward Checker (family history)
Temple Worker
On 1956, the Los Angeles Temple was dedicated. Grandma and Grandpa served as tour guides, then were set apart as temple workers, which they did until they left on their mission in 1973.
In fact, when I think of Grandma and Grandpa, one of the first things I think about is genealogy and the temple. They felt the Spirit of Elijah back when the name submission process was an ordeal. Grandma and Grandpa gave me one of my best Christmas gifts ever: my first Book of Remembrance, which I still have.
In my younger years, Grandma and Grandpa began taking vacations to many exciting places. They loved showing their slides to friends and family alike. We may have joked about watching the long travelogues, but it was a good education. Years later, the slides continued to provide entertainment for our family.
In 1972, Grandma noted that she and Grandpa had done endowment work in all 15 temples in the world. What joy she and Grandpa must feel now with 134 operating temples.
Grandma and Grandpa were called to serve a mission in Nauvoo in 1973. They loved Nauvoo and their service there. Their mission was an example to their grandchildren, many of whom served missions themselves. Of course, this required that they sell their beautiful home on Sawyer (which is still beautiful, and still a nice area). After their mission, they settled in Huntington Beach, and it was nice to have them so close.
We have many happy memories of swimming, eating lunch on the patio and flicking peas over the fence, and playing games or watching shows with them. And the ice cream.
Shortly before Grandpa died, Heidi and I visited him, and he told us not to forget Grandma. We did our best to remember her, and I will always be grateful that we were able to visit her twice in Folsom. At age 95, she was grateful for her long life, but the deepest desire of her heart was to be with Grandpa again. At her 100th birthday party, I’m not sure how aware she was, but I know that Grandpa knew, and that pleased him.
As I look back on Grandma’s life, several memories stand out. And as I read her personal history, there were some key things that stood out in my mind.
The first was family. Grandma loved all of us, and took pride in our accomplishments. She was grateful for the things we all did. It was not always evident in her responses, but I believe that her greatest joy was her family. She was proud of her grandchildren, and mentioned each of us in her personal history. We enjoyed our visits with Grandma and Grandpa.
Of course, Grandma’s love for family extended far beyond the here and now. She and Grandpa began a great work for our ancestors. And their example of temple service lives on in our family.
I mentioned her attention to detail. This was not only true in her housekeeping, but also in the beautiful needlework she did. She tatted an altar cloth for the Los Angeles Temple, a work of art in itself. And who can forget our Christmas ornaments, each with a five-dollar bill inside? I treasure the framed doily we received one Christmas.
Grandma loved board games and jigsaw puzzles. They were a chance to visit with people and have fun.
Above all, Grandma’s testimony of the restored gospel stood out. After our son Robby died, we held an extended family home evening to share our feelings about Heavenly Father’s plan. Grandpa and Grandma each bore their testimonies, and said, in essence, that they had lived a full life, and they were not afraid of death, because they knew what came next. A year later, Grandpa passed away. Who would have thought, in 1995, that we would not be gathered here again until 2011?
From Grandma’s personal history, in her own words:
“I feel grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for the opportunity to serve. It is a comfort and a joy to be active. It is a help in raising our children. It serves as a guide and milestone in my life.”
“We know that through our prayers and keeping the commandments, the Lord blesses us.”
“It is nice to be busy and feel useful, but sometimes we do get very tired.”
“We continue to work at the Los Angeles Temple from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. We arise at 3:45 a.m. and get back home and to bed at midnight. It is a long day and is hard work, but very rewarding. With all of our church meetings, visiting and home teaching, and entertaining, we keep very busy.”
“We are thankful for our many blessings and grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“We take the Church News and the Ensign and I read them from cover to cover, besides reading the scriptures. I don’t seem to have time to read many books.”
“We go to the temple once a month and do 3 sessions. I always look forward to it. We go to all our meetings and do our Visiting and Home Teaching every month.”
“Rulon keeps busy with different things at the Family History Center. We are happy that we can still take care of ourselves and keep up with all of our assignments. We work at the Family History Center a lot and we enjoy it.”
“We have been privileged to live another year. Having the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are blessed in many ways.”
“We thank our Father in Heaven that we are able to take care of ourselves.”
“We are still able to do our Visiting and Home Teaching. We enjoy doing it.”
“We do all of our church assignments and keep the commandments. We have many blessings.”

I am grateful that Heavenly Father's Plan for our eternal happiness has been revealed to us. It truly takes away the pain of death. Of course we miss Grandma, but know that death is not the end. We will be together again, and I know that Grandma will be eager to greet each of us when our turns come to pass through the veil.