As we continue with this new year, one of the first memorable things (after Chinese food with the Flittons) is grandparent week. The calendar week runs from February 11th - 18th and is a time to remember our parents and our children's grandparents. "So what is Grandparent Week?" you may ask. Strange as it may seem, all four of our parents died in the same calendar week.
My father, Dayle Wilson Cooper (1918 - 1973) passed away in Valentine's Day in 1973. Dad always had elevated blood pressure and cholesterol and had
suffered two strokes. But on Valentine's Day he had a blood clot enter his lung
and it hit him just like a heart attack. He passed away at home with mom holding
his hand. He gave it a squeeze just before he died. I remember the day well, I
had been at basketball practice at Granite High my sophomore year.
Three years later, Faith's father, Herrick Tune Muhlestein (1916 - 1976) died on February 11th and was buried on Valentine's Day. Herrick worked at Geneva Steel in Orem as a maintenance electrician. He was walking down the catwalk at work when he had a heart attack. They feel that he was dead before he hit the floor. Both fathers left behind young mothers and children at home. It was difficult for both families.
Joyce Terry Muhlestein (1934 - 2004) was only 42 when she was left a widow. She spent the rest of her life raising her posterity and serving others. She sang in the Tabernacle Choir among many groups. She served a mission with Marilyn Elizabeth in Louisiana. She loved her eight children and her forty-two grandchildren. I remember sitting on the couch downstairs listening to the Choir's Valentine's Day broadcast that year she died. They sang love songs and as I held her hand she longed to be with her Herrick again. Joyce died of cancer four days later on February 18th.
Mom (Priscilla Hendrix Cooper 1923 - 2007) was the last one. How we enjoyed our visits to Richfield to see her. She was active and always had energy. She was 49 when dad died and had worked for the church, filled three different missions and always raised a garden. She was surprised when they discovered lung cancer around Thanksgiving. It really took its toll quickly but I always thought she would hold on till the week came. And she did, passing away on February 11th. We buried her and dad on the same day, just 34 years apart.
Besides the happy memories of our parents, many other wonderful
things have happened during grandparent week. I entered the LTM in preparation for my mission to Japan on February 10th - the day before Herrick died. I started my career with New York Life on February 10, 1983 and have been in insurance ever since. Faith and I had our first date at a Valentine's dance on the 13th. We moved to Kansas on the 12th. My letter from the First Presidency calling me as a Bishop was signed the 13th.
Much of our life as a family has been shaped by the events of Grandparent Week. Each year we look with a little anticipation to see what might come next. This year was very uneventful, but that is alright with us.
