I am so proud to call him my Grandpa, he was the most caring individual I have ever known. You never knew what was up his sleeve next, but you could always count on it making someone's day through a laugh or a smile. Whenever grandpa called, I always answered with a smile on my face, waiting for the next joke and trying to outwit him with my response. He kept everyone quick on their toes and always had something positive to say about any person or situation.
Grandpa made everyone feel important. It always surprised me when he would email my girl scout leader or teacher with a thanks for shaping me into the person I am today - but this is the kind of person Grandpa is and this is why so many people love him. He is a part of so many people's lives and I'm happy that he will continue to live on this way.
Grandpa made memories wherever he went, in high school I remember him and Terry talking in their Norwegian gibberish and making my friends laugh. I was always so proud to say "Yep, that's my family." I even quoted Grandpa in my high school yearbook with none other then an Uff da saying: "Uff da is when you drop and egg, Ish da is when you step in it."
When it came time to head to college there was never any question on whether Minnesota was the place or not. My favorite memories growing up were in Turtle Lake, WI with my cousins and grandparents. And mom always said that going to school in Minnesota with six months of winter wouldn't be the same as vacationing, but I knew I was making the right decision. I wanted to see my extended family more often, and I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with Grandpa.
Grandma and Grandpa were my rock the first year at Gustavus. They helped get me ready for college, came down to St. Peter on my birthday, and let me escape to their house on weekends when I needed to reenergize and spend some time with family. During year two at Gustavus, both Grandma and Grandpa helped me move in and even let me borrow their car for a week long spring break trip to Texas. For my third year at Gustavus, they supported me and stayed flexible with my constantly changing plans as I never had the details figured out until the day before. They gave me advice on navigating study abroad decisions - from host families to general facts about Denmark, they knew it all.
Both grandma and grandpa took to my Gustavus friends faster then I expected. From opening up their doors for out-of-state friends on breaks to taking us out for lunch and shopping. They treated my friends like their own grandchildren with support and interest in their lives, learnings, and decisions. Grandpa would not only call and email my friends, but he would also list them as his grandchildren on facebook. He had such a big heart and I know that he loved each and everyone one of them as his own.
While I choose to attend a Swedish college and study abroad in a Danish land, I know that I will see my Norwegian roots this semester. Grandpa taught me to be proud of my heritage and I know he is proud of the decisions I have made and would support me no matter where I went. Grandpa would spend hours looking up Danish facts, and I swear he knew more about the country than I did. He even called the Pepperidge Farm Corporation to see if there were goldfish crackers in Denmark for me.
It hurts that I can't be in Minnesota at this time, but I know that he would want me to jet off on this adventure with no hesitations. I love him and will always carry his memories with me in everything that I do. Don't worry Grandpa, I will continue to use the Uff da's wherever I go.
XOXO
Leslee
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