Loss of A Great Man

     On Monday March 19th my Uncle Mark Walburger (My Mom's brother) went out to do his morning chores like he had done thousands of times before, but this time he wouldnt finish. As he was about to start his morning routine, he was struck with a massive heart attack and passed away. This was a shock to many who knew him well. He was a very healthy and active man, so for him to have a heart attack, it was a shock to everyone. He was 71 years old. This may seem old to some, but when you take into account that Uncle Mark was playing in the family softball tournament just last year with us (And Ripping it up), its hard to believe that he would not be with us now active as ever. I loved paying ball with my Uncle Mark, he was great ball player growing up and he had a love for the game. I am starting to understand why I love softball so much----It runs in the family! This summer will be so different and sad without having Uncle Mark there playing and cheering us on in the family tournament. I am sure he will be looking for a game to be a part of in the next life. He was very close to my mom, and helped her greatly during her divorce and trials that she was going through during that time.

     Every year Uncle Mark would have a new "Walburger" hat for the family to wear in the family softball tournament. My kids always looked forward to see what new hat they would get during the family tournament. Uncle Mark was very proud of his family, and loved being apart of our "Walburger" team. After I had time to think about Uncle Mark passing away, I wanted to find a way that I could pay tribute to him for the great man that he has been to me and my family. I thought it would be a great idea to take one of the hats he made and have all the family sign it and give it to his family.

     As we went through the line at the family viewing, Uncle Mark's son Kenric took one look at the hat and tears came to his eyes. He said "I was doing ok till I saw that dang hat". He knew how important Uncle Mark was to us, and he appreciated the sentiment. Kenric thought it would be a great idea for us to put the hat in the casket with Uncle Mark, and I agreed that this was a great way to keep our love with Uncle Mark. As I placed the hat with Uncle mark tears filled my eyes, and I thought of all the great things that this man had done for my mom and our family. He will be greatly missed.

 
     
     The funeral was sad, but the speakers did a great job in paying tribute to the great man that Uncle Mark was. I was able to give the family Prayer before the funeral began, and act as a pallbearer for my Uncle. I was honored to be a part of this day. My Mom did the biography, and she did a great job in telling about Uncle Mark's life, and some funny stories about him growing up. Kenric and Allan (Mark's sons) gave great talks on the things that Uncle Mark taught them as they were growing up. Honesty, hard work, dedication, and love for the gospel were all things that they were taught by there father. What a great man to look up to and pattern your life after.

     I know this blog post will not do justice to the great man that my Uncle Mark was and how great the speakers were at the funeral. I hope those that read this just get the point that I loved this man greatly, and will miss him for many years to come. I hope that he will be able to take the time to look down on me every now and then when I am playing the game that he loved......Softball.

Thanks Uncle Mark.