This is the eulogy that was read at our mother’s memorial service on February 18, 1998. I would like to share it with you today as we lay her to her final rest.
We are here today to remember the earthly life of Agnes Jeschke. She was the mother of four children, three daughters, Kathy, Dale, and Gale, and one son, Walter. She was the mother-in-law of Arthur Schmaltz, Patrick Slupik, Lynn Kendall, and this coming August, Robin DeLude. We remember her life tonight, on the anniversary of the date that she gave life to the youngest of her children, Dale and Gale.
She was the grandmother of six, Daniel, Arthur, Victor, Ryan, Heather, and Holly. To her grandchildren she was know as Big Momma. When Daniel, the oldest grandchild, was born, Mom wanted to be called Grandmama. This was a big word for a little boy. One day Daniel called out, “Mama.” I answered him thinking that he was calling me. He replied, “Not you, Mama -- Big Momma.” Only her grandson could have gotten away with calling her Big Momma. And, that is what she was called by every one of her grandchildren from that time on.
Our mother was born in Haleyville, Alabama on September 13, 1930. She was the only child of Vera Farr and Arthur Kuenne. She spent most of her life in Chicago, Illinois and much of the last 17 years here in La Mesa. She did not have an easy life by any standards. Those difficult times in her life happened when these things weren’t openly shared. So, she held many of them in her heart throughout her lifetime. She also endured physical difficulties and limitations for many years. And, somehow, through it all, she kept her sense of humor with others. She loved and she was loved by many.
She raised the three of us girls to be independent women long before it was the thing to do. She was a Sunday School teacher and a Girl Scout leader as we grew up. And, she did this despite being a single, working mother when that was far from the norm.
As we talked about our mother and the remembrances that we each have, the one strand of her life that we all touched upon was that she knew her God throughout her life. She took us to Church and Sunday School regularly. She saw that we received a Christian education through grammar school and high school. She never doubted that when her earthly life ended, her eternal life would begin with him in heaven.
Our mother was also generous to a fault. She always wanted to share whatever she had with others. She enjoyed giving gifts to others. She enjoyed beautiful things whether it was flowers in a garden, an evening sunset, sparkling jewelry, a lovely painting, a fine sculpture or a porcelain doll. She had a keen eye for the beauty in this world.
In going through her belongings this past week, I came across the Mother’s Day card I sent her last year. I would like to share it with you:
Mom, there must have been times when it was hard bringing me up right. I know I didn’t always listen to your advice, and there were times I probably gave you gray hairs. But you hung in there, loving me and praying for me through it all. And many times you went the extra mile...and you gave some things you didn’t have to give. And now, though I’ve often gone my own way, please don’t ever think that the love you gave didn’t matter. Because it made all the difference in my life...your love gave me a strong foundation to reach out and grow. And I’ll always love you for that.
We love you, Mommy. May your life with God bring you the peace of which you are so deserving.