Ron G. King's Funeral Weekend 2019
Ron G. King's funeral was held at Zion Lutheran Church in Denver on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Ron is my brother-in-law who lived most of his life in Denver and Idaho Springs, CO. He touched many people's lives during his seventy-seven year journey here on earth. He married my sister, Jan. They raised two great kids, Jeff and Bryan, who both live in LA. Jeff is married to Ingrid. They were blessed with two amazing kids, Ben and Noah.
Scott and I drove out to Denver the day before. We left at 1 a.m. God protected us through pouring rain, freezing temperatures, and black ice. Nate flew out of Milwaukee Friday afternoon. We picked him up from the Denver airport. The three of us stayed at Glenn and Joan Beutel's house. Glenn is Rita's sister's son. Glenn and Joan treated us Friday night to a very nice meal at 2 Penguins. (Both Scott and his wife Jessica love penguins!)
The three of us were honored to attend Ron's funeral on Saturday morning. Many stories were remembered from Ron's life. I will mention only a few examples. Each have an interesting history: the well worn pen in his shirt pocket, his sleeves rolled up three times, Cheerios and a Diet Coke can stored in the lower part of the coffin. All of these items each has a heart warming, tear-producing antidote. I would be honored to tell you why these items let you better understand what kind of man Ron was. As a pallbearer, escorting Ron out of church, I saw many touch the flag draped on his coffin. Ron served his country and us in Vietnam. where he lost part of his hearing.
There was a nice meal served after the funeral at church. Ron's sons and grandsons compiled and projected many pictures from Ron's life. I was able to view these same pictures the next day up in Ron and Jan's mountain house, reminiscing many details. Before I drove down the mountain back to Glenn and Joan's house for the evening, I had five "helpers" uncover many rocks from the mountain top. One of those sixteen rocks definitely can be seen from the street back in West Allis!
Later that afternoon and evening Jan treated us to a meal at Casa Bonita. It's a neat Mexican restaurant where we were able to talk. We again stayed at Glenn and Joan's house that night in Aurora. Nate and Scott flew back to Milwaukee mid Sunday morning. Glenn and Joan gave us a tour of the back-up energy plant that serves Denver when wind and solar power sources do not provide the energy needed to keep Denver "running"!
Ron's internment was held at Fort Logan Cemetery. Pastor Brett Krause and an Armed Forces honor guard gave a great closure to the life of Ron. Jan was presented with the flag that had draped Ron's casket. I ,drove back to Denver, leaving around 2 p.m. I arrived at Laura and Scott's house about 1:30 a.m. where I got to sleep a few hours before finishing the trip home. I got to see the Bailey's Christmas decorations, Austin, and Brooklyn.
I was able to climb up to the top of the "M" outside UW-Platteville. I've always wanted to climb the 267 steps to the top. Rita and I have driven past it many times on our trips to Cedar Rapids. You can see the "M" ten miles away from US Highway 151. This was the time to climb to the top since I was traveling alone. It's off the "bucket list". I'm glad I did it. I'm thankful to safely return back home!
Scott and I drove out to Denver the day before. We left at 1 a.m. God protected us through pouring rain, freezing temperatures, and black ice. Nate flew out of Milwaukee Friday afternoon. We picked him up from the Denver airport. The three of us stayed at Glenn and Joan Beutel's house. Glenn is Rita's sister's son. Glenn and Joan treated us Friday night to a very nice meal at 2 Penguins. (Both Scott and his wife Jessica love penguins!)
The three of us were honored to attend Ron's funeral on Saturday morning. Many stories were remembered from Ron's life. I will mention only a few examples. Each have an interesting history: the well worn pen in his shirt pocket, his sleeves rolled up three times, Cheerios and a Diet Coke can stored in the lower part of the coffin. All of these items each has a heart warming, tear-producing antidote. I would be honored to tell you why these items let you better understand what kind of man Ron was. As a pallbearer, escorting Ron out of church, I saw many touch the flag draped on his coffin. Ron served his country and us in Vietnam. where he lost part of his hearing.
There was a nice meal served after the funeral at church. Ron's sons and grandsons compiled and projected many pictures from Ron's life. I was able to view these same pictures the next day up in Ron and Jan's mountain house, reminiscing many details. Before I drove down the mountain back to Glenn and Joan's house for the evening, I had five "helpers" uncover many rocks from the mountain top. One of those sixteen rocks definitely can be seen from the street back in West Allis!
Later that afternoon and evening Jan treated us to a meal at Casa Bonita. It's a neat Mexican restaurant where we were able to talk. We again stayed at Glenn and Joan's house that night in Aurora. Nate and Scott flew back to Milwaukee mid Sunday morning. Glenn and Joan gave us a tour of the back-up energy plant that serves Denver when wind and solar power sources do not provide the energy needed to keep Denver "running"!
Ron's internment was held at Fort Logan Cemetery. Pastor Brett Krause and an Armed Forces honor guard gave a great closure to the life of Ron. Jan was presented with the flag that had draped Ron's casket. I ,drove back to Denver, leaving around 2 p.m. I arrived at Laura and Scott's house about 1:30 a.m. where I got to sleep a few hours before finishing the trip home. I got to see the Bailey's Christmas decorations, Austin, and Brooklyn.
I was able to climb up to the top of the "M" outside UW-Platteville. I've always wanted to climb the 267 steps to the top. Rita and I have driven past it many times on our trips to Cedar Rapids. You can see the "M" ten miles away from US Highway 151. This was the time to climb to the top since I was traveling alone. It's off the "bucket list". I'm glad I did it. I'm thankful to safely return back home!