After embracing the Lord and being welcomed into heaven, our dad was greeted by family who was overcome with joy seeing him again. We know his dad who hasn't seen him in over 50 years was eager to tell him how proud of him he was.

Dad spent most of his childhood on the farm outside of Plover. After graduating from Havelock-Plover High School, he made his way to Iowa Central Community College to major in business. What he didn't anticipate was meeting the love of his life, our mom Michele Sandven. Dad continued his education at Mankato State where he met his lifelong friends. After graduating from Mankato State University, mom and dad settled in Des Moines. Life has a way of bringing us home, and they returned to start farming and a family on the farm by Plover. Life on the farm was raising crops, livestock, children, and growing his faith. 1997 was the last harvest before retiring to Pocahontas.

Dad enjoyed many things in life, but his family was not only his greatest accomplishment, but his greatest source of happiness. Dad would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his faith in God. He encouraged everyone to "talk to God". His faith carried him to the end. Dad loved music. When words failed, music spoke for him. He passed on this love to his children, who enjoyed live music with him. Dad loved listening to live local musicians Chuck Cihlar, Kris Karr, and Al Sroufe, but his favorite was Aaron Webbink.

Those closest to him who hated saying goodbye are his wife Michele, daughter Dacia (Chuck) Cihlar, son Aaron (Hailey) Webbink, granddaughter Madison, grandson Waylon, sister Kay (Tim) Campbell, and sister-in-law Kim (Kevin) Engels. His lifelong friends who were with him till end: Tom Nelson, Terry Straub, and Tom Harvey. Some of the first cheering when he came through the gates of heaven were: his dad Clarence, mom Juanita, sister Kate, sister Joice, brother-in-law Lin, mother-in-law Gwen and father-in-law, Kenny. After catching up with them, we have no doubt he is enjoying the sweet sounds of Jimmy Buffett and BJ Thomas. We his family take comfort in knowing that when he gets where he's going, there will be only happy tears, but we will miss him down here until we meet again.