Sprinkling Dad's Ashes

My sister, Anita, her husband Mark, Mom, two of my cousins, Dave, and Dan, and Dan's new wife, Sharon, and her daughter Sarah, Emma, Mayahna, Lon and I made the trek, on Monday, the day after the wedding, up to a favorite camping spot on the North Fork of the John Day river.   Our family and my aunt and uncle and cousins camped at this location EVERY year.  We rode motorcycles and rafted the river.   Many MANY happy memories in this place.  It felt so RIGHT that Dad would be laid to rest there, in a place that brought him so much happiness.

This is the eulogy that Mark wrote/read while we were gathered there. Mom also wrote and read a basic biography - that I will copy here, when I find the copy she gave me.

Until we see Keith Hanna again

We all have memories worth treasuring of Keith. We will always remember him for the different things he was to each of us.

He loved his family, he loved living a quiet life, and he loved God. Rather than words, Keith showed his love by his actions.

He practiced living a good life and doing what is right. He believed in and honored God, the creator of all heaven and earth. He was an honest man. A man you could trust.

He did well in life choices, in his education, in gracefully climbing through the rungs of his career, in earning a living, in providing for his family, and in serving the church. He was true to his friends and consistently served to help others. He was respectful to everyone he came across. He was always ready to help when there was a need. He was always there to contribute positively to peace and togetherness. He lived a responsible life.

I have been fortunate to have Keith as my father-in-law. He was a good example of living well. He respected our differences and never made an issue of any of them. He was there for me and supported me in my time of need. I am proud to be his son-in-law.

It was painful for Keith as he battled health issues in his final years. It was an honor for us that we could help him and care for him. He was as graceful through all of it as anyone can be. I appreciated how he accepted the changes and worked with us to plan and make all as good as it could be. It was also painful for us because we wanted to do more to make his daily living comfortable and safe, and to add as much joy as possible for him.

He was true to his callings as a boy, a man, a friend, a worker, a faithful husband, a good father, a loving grandfather and a man of God.

Farewell for now Keith Hanna. We look forward to reuniting with you and living through eternity with you and all of God’s children.