Uncle Tommy, continued

Tommy's wife, Lillian, at times had felt that maybe Minnesota was a step or two below the quality of life in California but after all of the relatives back there surprised them by honoring them on a wedding anniverary at the Legion Hall in Hills, Mn.she never ceased to sing your praises and as a person was not generous in the praise of others but you folks broke down that barrier.
Opal Nelson arranged for the burial of Tommy's ashes and for a plague to mark his place next to his brother, Nels Thompson, in Valley Springs, S.D.The relatives conducted a memorial service and Gary Rye(Norris and Lorraine's son) played taps. I gave Tommy's trumphet to Gary who will contiue to bring joy to others in its use as Tommy did for so many years.
Thirty days after Tommy's death Lillian was asked to leave her apartment in San Diego. She wasn't a fun person but she was a human being so Donna and I took her to Loveland, Colorado.She was able to try our patience but we did endure.
In November o;f 1985 Lillian passed away. Opal and others made arrangements to put her ashes next to Tommy.Lillian had always said that she would like to have Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" recited at her funeral. Marilyn Sather Nelson ( Duane's wife) is a fine dramataicc reader and she or maybe my sister Eldora read it.
It brought us pleasure and pride that Tommy was one of our relatives.

RIP