Ula Hoffer

Dear Sweet Ula, How do I begin to tell of all the wonderful things I remember about you. Living with you for those few short months was such a special time in my life that I will never forget. We would stay up late to play Rummikub and you would tell so many stories of bygone days while we ate ice cream and your delicious warm rhubarb crisp. You would talk about your late husband, milking the many cows you had and all the foster children you took in, not to mention your own two daughters, Ruth and Nancy, and all your grandchildren. You had such a gift with young people. Always eager for the next party, bonfire, hayride and/or camp-out you would have for them, and laughing at their antics when most people your age could no longer tolerate all the "noise". I remember one time I came home late from work and you were waiting to tell me of the skunk you chased away from the door because you didn't want me to meet up with it. You always had a smile on your face and a scripture on your lips. You wrote so many people encouraging letters and when your hand got too shaky to write anymore you let Nancy set you up with a word-processor. You had such a love for Christ that you would share with anyone willing to listen. You were an inspiration to me and I shall never forget you. Thank you! It won't be the same visiting Bemidji without you there but I can be at peace with the knowledge that we will see you again someday. Until then, all my love.