Grandpa Steffensrud

Last weekend, we traveled to Pleasant Hill, California for Doug's Grandpa's funeral. Grandpa Steffensrud had been sick for awhile, and finally got to go home and be with the Lord. He was such a wonderful man...witty, charming, smart, a total flirt, loving and most of all a person who truly loved God and his family.

Our trip was somewhat of a whirlwind, and I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wish I had. I did want to share a few from the funeral service itself as it was such a special and meaningful time. Since Grandpa served in the US Army, military honors were awarded at his funeral serive.

If you've never seen this as part of a funeral, it's amazing. Two officers come in and do a ceremony that involves unfolding and folding of the US Flag. Taps is played, and it's very solemn, but so powerful. What we were not expecting at all was that the flag would be presented to Doug! It was incredibly emotional and wonderful. The flag would have been presented to Doug's Dad, Dick, if he were still alive. Doug received it as the eldest of the 4 Steffensrud grandsons.

Here is Doug pictured with his sweet cousins (The Steffensrud grandsons), Matt, Adam and Michael. As a part of his eulogy, Doug's Uncle Bob had these guys stand and talked to them about the honor of carrying on the Steffensrud name. Grandpa was very proud of his Norweigan heritage and spoke of it often. Uncle Bob encouraged these men to carry the name proudly (even when they have to spell it for people 100 times a day!) as this name has been passed down through generationsof Godly, faithful men.

These are most of the Steffensrud cousins pictured with Uncle Bob and Uncle Russ, Doug's Dad's brothers.

Doug, Cheryl and Faye (Doug's Sister and Mom)
Doug and Cheryl
Here are most of the Steffensrud cousins including 2 of Grandpa's 8 GREAT-grandchildren, Meagan and Ben.

I feel so proud to be a Steffensrud!

What an incredible family heritage that I can't wait to pass on to our children and grandchildren someday! Thank you, Grandpa Steffensrud, for living a life that made your family feel so proud and blessed.