Ila Anderson was like family. She was the biggest sweetheart and we all loved her dearly. At the age of 94, she went on to be with her Lord. Oh how she loved the Lord! She spent much of her days in prayer for loved ones, friends, and family. She loved to share Jesus and loved her church. She was such a kind lady, so filled with joy and always had such positive nice things to say. Ila attended the Stratford church and she was always so kind. She loved our family and would do little things for the kids like give them a dollar on their birthday. Over the years I would send Ila an Easter, Birthday, and Christmas card. She loved these cards and would send me thank you notes to thank me for the cards. She would fill up every inch of the card in her tiny handwriting telling us how much she appreciated it and loved us.She loved the pretty cards that had flowers and would just go on about them. I also had the boys draw her pictures on occasion and that too she would go on about. I always sent pictures of the kids and told her what they have been up to. Ila loved asparagus more than anyone I knew. We always had an abundance so would bring some to her on Sundays. She would hug her bag and get so excited. She would hide her bag in fear that someone would take her precious goods. I brought her asparagus every year that I could.
I am not sure what year Ila was moved to Assisted Living in Boone, maybe 3 years ago. We would visit her every now and then, but not often enough. Usually we visited before Christmas and around her birthday. I would bring her banana bread or cookies. She loved goodies. One year I was shopping and saw this ladies jacket that I just had to buy for Ila. I didn't have any idea what size to get her or if she would even like it. She was so excited when the boys and I brought it to her. She had to go right in and try it on with my help. She was so cute and excited to have something new to wear and so pretty. It did look lovely on her and she just loved it. We saw her a couple times when she had fallen and broke her tail bone. It was so sad to see her hurting and in pain. She recovered and was doing so well for her age. She always knew us. Luke brought his guitar on several occasions. She loved to hear him play. Our last visit was just the week before Christmas. She had been moved to the nursing home which we did not know. She was quieter and weaker. She was still her sweet self thanking us over and over. Luke played his guitar and each song she would doze off a little. We all gave her hugs before we left and told her we loved her. She always thanked us many many times and told us she loved us. Little did we know that was our final goodbye. I am so thankful for it and glad we made the time that day.
Today the boys and I attended her funeral in Stratford. I only knew three of Ila's granddaughters, the Lindmark girls, who were in AWANA years ago. It was a lovely service with a great granddaughter playing the cello. Anyone that knew her, loved her. We will miss Ila dearly, she was such a special lady to all of us.
I am not sure what year Ila was moved to Assisted Living in Boone, maybe 3 years ago. We would visit her every now and then, but not often enough. Usually we visited before Christmas and around her birthday. I would bring her banana bread or cookies. She loved goodies. One year I was shopping and saw this ladies jacket that I just had to buy for Ila. I didn't have any idea what size to get her or if she would even like it. She was so excited when the boys and I brought it to her. She had to go right in and try it on with my help. She was so cute and excited to have something new to wear and so pretty. It did look lovely on her and she just loved it. We saw her a couple times when she had fallen and broke her tail bone. It was so sad to see her hurting and in pain. She recovered and was doing so well for her age. She always knew us. Luke brought his guitar on several occasions. She loved to hear him play. Our last visit was just the week before Christmas. She had been moved to the nursing home which we did not know. She was quieter and weaker. She was still her sweet self thanking us over and over. Luke played his guitar and each song she would doze off a little. We all gave her hugs before we left and told her we loved her. She always thanked us many many times and told us she loved us. Little did we know that was our final goodbye. I am so thankful for it and glad we made the time that day.
Today the boys and I attended her funeral in Stratford. I only knew three of Ila's granddaughters, the Lindmark girls, who were in AWANA years ago. It was a lovely service with a great granddaughter playing the cello. Anyone that knew her, loved her. We will miss Ila dearly, she was such a special lady to all of us.
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