A Tribute to a Special Grandmother

This morning we found out that Tami’s grandmother passed away last night. She was 98 years old and one of the most godly women I’ve ever known. I met Grandma Lebsack when I was a teenager and started dating Tami. Both Grandpa and Grandma would come to South Bend and stay in a small apartment that we had inside the church. Since they were retired they would often be there for several weeks. I found myself making my way to that small apartment so I could just sit and talk with them. They were a delight and poured so much into my life as a young man following the call of God on his life. They were both retired ministers, and every conversation gave me a nugget of something that would help me later in life.

I often remember the times I would walk in and they would be having their daily devotions. I asked myself why a retired minister would feel the need to have a daily devotion because after 50-plus years of ministry they had to know it all. Oh, the ignorance of youth! I know now that if I want to stay alive spiritually that I need to be in God’s Word on a daily basis. The years quickly went by, and Tami and I were living in Michigan when her grandfather passed away. Grandma could have gone into a hole and just waited out the rest of her life, but she didn’t. Instead, she became more active in making friends, being a support to her pastor, and ministering to people in the church. Tami and I would go and visit her in Colorado, and when we went to church she knew everyone. She could tell us about their lives and opportunities that she had to pray with them. And it wasn’t just the senior citizens of the church but rather people of all ages. We sat in her Sunday School class and listened to her pour her heart out to those present. Her class was so large that it had to meet in the church auditorium. She was always a great teacher and preacher.

When Tami and I were pastoring in Ohio, our 15th anniversary was coming up and we needed somebody to watch the kids so we could go out of town. Tami’s mom was not able to come, so we asked Grandma if she would fly up and take care of Krystal and Caleb. She gladly accepted and at 80 years old she came to take care of a teenage girl and a young boy. When we returned, Krystal made us promise that if Grandma ever came to watch them again that they wouldn’t have to ride with her in the car. Living out in the country, she had some problems with the narrow roads.

Grandma eventually moved to Texas where she lived close to family. While here, she taught me her recipe for the perfect cinnamon roll. Tami and I tried for years to make rolls like Grandma did and could never do it. Now I can because she loved baking and teaching. Tami and I had many nights where we’d pick Grandma up and just take her to dinner to talk. She had so many great stories and was always great company. I could go on and on, but I just wanted to give you a glimpse into the life of a very godly woman. I was blessed to call her Grandma for over 30 years and will rejoice someday when I get to see her again. Love your family because this life passes by very quickly.