June, you have traveled deep into the shadows of Alzheimer’s. While your body is here, you have gone away.

You look at me but you no longer see me. While your mind no longer remembers. perhaps your heart does –

While I can no longer reach you, God can. 

But I remember: When we first met on a bright spring morning in 1951 at a small Cafe in Barron, Wisconsin.

Our first date a day later on a beautiful evening at “The Spot” on Lake Chetek. 

When were married on a warm and sun shiny day in mid August of 1952 at the Wesley Methodist Church in Bloomington, Illinois. 

Our difficulty financing our first home purchase in 1954 at 4316 Oneida Street, Lakeside in Duluth.

Our annual camping trips to "Custer Park", in the "Black Hills" of South Dakota in late 1950’s. Our numerous “Rock Hounding” and Agate hunting excursions.

Our first Airline flight on Western Airlines to San Francisco in 1967. Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Cars, Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Our visit with the “Hippies” at Haight-Asbury. 

Our first trip abroad to Russia on a Forensic Science Cultural exchange during the height of the “Cold War” in 1969. The intrigue of Moscow and the Romance of Leningrad. Waltzing the night away at the "Rossia".

Our first ever flaming “Crepe Suzettes” at a charming restaurant in Budapest. Our night with the Gypsy’s and our first real “Hungarian Goulash.” 

The fascinating “Coffee House” in Vienna. 

Edinburgh in 1972 and the exciting reception by “Her Majesty’s Government”.

Rome in 1973 and the delightful reception at the Campidoglio hosted by Italy’s President Leone. The sidewalk cafe’s in the warm fall. Your concern for the little orphaned kittens at the Coliseum. Our audience with the Pope at the Vatican and your delight at Pope Paul shaking your hand. 

The breathtaking cable car ride down Mt. Pilatus near Zurich in 1975. 

Our numerous trips to London and our friends the Bruce’s of nearby Bexley, Kent. A picnic lunch with the Bruce’s above the white cliffs at Eastbourne on England’s South coast. A luncheon yacht cruise on the Thames. Visiting Churchill’s home. The Sherlock Holmes Hotel. The awe of Westminster Abbey. A reception at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Cottesloe. You’re shopping trips to Harrods. The guard at Buckingham Palace that winked at you. When you taught me to use the “London Underground”. 

Our week at Oxford University in 1984 and our stay at the historical "Christ Church College" and "Queen’s College". Our daily “High Tea” in a little restaurant overlooking Oxford’s main street. 

When you prayed us through the 1965 Fridley Tornadoes that left us unhurt but severely damaged our home. 

Our first of three trips to the “Grand Old Opry” at Nashville in 1990. You turned my reluctance into enthusiasm. 

Our 1997 visit to New York City and our hotel on "Time’s Square". Your emotional visit to "Ellis Island" and memories of your mother then long gone who had immigrated there from Norway. 

How your prayers and your inspiring examples of faith brought me to the church. Our daily mealtime grace periods when you always thanked God amid tears for all he had done for you/us even as you were well into the darkness of Alzheimer’s.

The day we arrived at a "Bluegrass session" just as twin violins struck up their soulful strains that awakened dormant and pleasant thoughts of your father also long gone. You looked up at me smiling and said “I’m so happy!” But only God knows how happy you have made me. 

Few people would agree that our 1951 meeting was a divine appointment. However, when God allowed a sentimental fool like me to care for you, he granted me my life’s highest privilege.  

June you have given me a life-long adventure. Thanks for the memories and for 55 + years of unconditional love.  

                                                         Stan 

 (Published in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on our anniversary, Thursday August 16^th 2007 in the Celebrations section of all editions.)

Notes: On October 23^rd, 2008 June passed away after almost eleven years of an exhausting battle with Alzheimer’s. June's last three years and 8 plus months were in an Alzheimer’s facility. Her last years were at the Alzheimer’s “Villa” of the Benedictine Health Care Center of Innsbruck, New Brighton, MN. See the funeral notice as published in the Minneapolis Star - Tribune. It is located on the top blue navigation strip under the label: “In Memoriam”. Click on: “June K. (Rolstad) Berg – In Memoriam”.