Sniffling after the Wake
Today was a good, un-tearful day until I got a simple hug from Barb. I went to the wake in order to give her some comfort and ended up sobbing all over the place. It was good to see her, I just wish that it would have been under better circumstances---like NOT at her husbands funeral. I feel bad, mostly because I know that I didn't know Bob as well as I would have liked, but I know how much that he was an awesome guy and how much that he helped me and Barb get through those years together. It's also seeing him there, at 61, makes me sad. My father said something about how death hits someone who is younger (like me) harder than it does someone who is older (like him) because he has "put a few more people into the ground" so to speak. I'm still sitting here with a stuff nose because I am still a leaky faucet today.
His obit is from jsonline, but I see fit to just post it here...
Franzen, Robert W.
A really good man. Age 61, died peacefully at home August 7, 2006 surrounded by those he loved. Beloved husband and "complete part" of Barbara. Loving father of Jamie (Ania) and Steven Chojnacki. Caring Grandpa of Christopher and Alec. Brother-in-law of William Kierstead, Michael (Carol) Detrick and Bonnie (Richard Desotelle) Ulrich. Preceded in death by his sister Sharon Kierstead. Further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bob was a 5th generation funeral director and President of Franzen, Jung, Kaufmann and Weiand Funeral Home. Among his many activities Bob served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, Milwaukee County Funeral Directors Association, was a Governor on the National Funeral Directors Board of Directors, The Appleton Avenue Advancement Association, and President of the Association for Northwest Advancement. Bob was a beloved member of the Hasbeen Hackers. Bob's interests throughout the years included traveling, golfing, gun collecting and riding his Harley. He also was a master carpenter. A special thank you to Bob's best friend Marsha Mather for being with us throughout the years and at the end. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday August 12 at 10:30 AM at Three Holy Women Catholic Parish-Holy Rosary Catholic Church (2011 N. Oakland Ave.). Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday August 11 at Schramka Funeral Home (7841 W. Appleton Ave.) from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and Saturday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Make a Wish Foundation are appreciated.
Barb told me that she was very happy to see me, glad that I showed up. And considering that she wasn't expecting me, that's a good thing. She explained to me that she didn't email me about it because she didn't want me to be sad about "old people stuff" as she put it. Yet just knowing that on that day of sadness that I could bring her even a smile like I was able to to, gave me such joy, even as the tears rolled down my cheeks. And believe me I was a total mask of composure all the while until that fateful hug from Barb. It was like the minute that I touched her I could feel her grief open up and crash into me like a wave, and I broke, but even as I did, I know that she was still able to pass off a little more of her baggage in order to be able to deal with it a little more.
I am still sitting here thinking about the events of today, as one more wet saline overflow of emotion goes tracing a line down my cheek. And I am still biting back more, wanting and not wanting to let loose all at the same time. I find myself wondering now what will happen to Barb, now that her complete part is gone. I have all these concerns regarding her, and I am just saddened so much by the fact that the two of them never made it to their dream retirement home in Panama. They above a lot of people I know would be so deserving of that, and instead those plans are abruptly ended.
I think about all the fun that I had at their house, both the one above the funeral home before they sold it and the one in the Falls. When I saw Jamie and Barb and Bob's other kids today...I think that's what hit me the most. I have lost other people close to me, but never my brother or a parent. I can only imagine what they are going through at this moment. I feel for them. And as they say that death is about the only certain thing that there is to life, that it's the next big journey after it, well I guess I should try to look on the bright side, and I think that I will---eventually.
His obit is from jsonline, but I see fit to just post it here...
Franzen, Robert W.
A really good man. Age 61, died peacefully at home August 7, 2006 surrounded by those he loved. Beloved husband and "complete part" of Barbara. Loving father of Jamie (Ania) and Steven Chojnacki. Caring Grandpa of Christopher and Alec. Brother-in-law of William Kierstead, Michael (Carol) Detrick and Bonnie (Richard Desotelle) Ulrich. Preceded in death by his sister Sharon Kierstead. Further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bob was a 5th generation funeral director and President of Franzen, Jung, Kaufmann and Weiand Funeral Home. Among his many activities Bob served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, Milwaukee County Funeral Directors Association, was a Governor on the National Funeral Directors Board of Directors, The Appleton Avenue Advancement Association, and President of the Association for Northwest Advancement. Bob was a beloved member of the Hasbeen Hackers. Bob's interests throughout the years included traveling, golfing, gun collecting and riding his Harley. He also was a master carpenter. A special thank you to Bob's best friend Marsha Mather for being with us throughout the years and at the end. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday August 12 at 10:30 AM at Three Holy Women Catholic Parish-Holy Rosary Catholic Church (2011 N. Oakland Ave.). Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday August 11 at Schramka Funeral Home (7841 W. Appleton Ave.) from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and Saturday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Make a Wish Foundation are appreciated.
Barb told me that she was very happy to see me, glad that I showed up. And considering that she wasn't expecting me, that's a good thing. She explained to me that she didn't email me about it because she didn't want me to be sad about "old people stuff" as she put it. Yet just knowing that on that day of sadness that I could bring her even a smile like I was able to to, gave me such joy, even as the tears rolled down my cheeks. And believe me I was a total mask of composure all the while until that fateful hug from Barb. It was like the minute that I touched her I could feel her grief open up and crash into me like a wave, and I broke, but even as I did, I know that she was still able to pass off a little more of her baggage in order to be able to deal with it a little more.
I am still sitting here thinking about the events of today, as one more wet saline overflow of emotion goes tracing a line down my cheek. And I am still biting back more, wanting and not wanting to let loose all at the same time. I find myself wondering now what will happen to Barb, now that her complete part is gone. I have all these concerns regarding her, and I am just saddened so much by the fact that the two of them never made it to their dream retirement home in Panama. They above a lot of people I know would be so deserving of that, and instead those plans are abruptly ended.
I think about all the fun that I had at their house, both the one above the funeral home before they sold it and the one in the Falls. When I saw Jamie and Barb and Bob's other kids today...I think that's what hit me the most. I have lost other people close to me, but never my brother or a parent. I can only imagine what they are going through at this moment. I feel for them. And as they say that death is about the only certain thing that there is to life, that it's the next big journey after it, well I guess I should try to look on the bright side, and I think that I will---eventually.