A visit to the St. Andrew Lutheran Cemetery, at Niagara ND

While we were visiting in ND,  we took my mother to the cemetery to visit the grave of her husband of almost 67 years.   I remember this cemetery from years gone by when I was just a little girl.  Our old country church, St Andrew Lutheran Church used to set just South East of the cemetery. That was the church I attended weekly until it moved to a new location and new building in town, Niagara.   As a matter of fact,  I was the last to be confirmed in the old church.    

 My mother standing in front of my dad's headstone.  His side has a barn with 2 work horses in front, I will call them Dick and Billy, the black work team I mostly remember him driving. My mom's side has flowers with a humming bird.  The rings around the cross has their wedding date of  9-11-46.  The head stone also has at the very bottom  parents of Dale and Diane. The back side has one of my fathers favorite responses to the strong pain he suffered., " Thy Grace is sufficient for me."

This foot stone is free from the VA.  We just had to order it and have it put flush in the ground so the mowing crew  can mow over it with no problems.   It is a nice stone only one error,  I had ask for the Lutheran MS cross that they have just added to the emblems available but they still did the regular cross.    

 My mothers brother, the youngest child, my Uncle Art Behm past away about 6 months before my dad.  His grave is left of my dad's.                                                                                                                                                        The headstone a little further to the left is for very good, close friends of mine and my parents.  They lived only 1/4 mile North and my brother Dale and I spent many hours at their home with our friends, Jane and Dwight.   The house and Herb driving the horse and sled are done from actual photo's.   Then further yet to the left is my first cousins husband who past away unexpectedly in 2011. 

 My brother Dale who past away very quickly of a heart attack at almost 62 years old. On the back of his headstone, is the words to "Now the light has gone away" as he used to sing that hymn with his children every evening before tucking them into bed.  His grave is in the  SE corner and Dad's is in the NW corner.  The photo below shows most of the cemetery but unfortunately you cannot see my dad's grave.   

 My first cousin Audrey.  We just attended her husband, Chuck, funeral when we were back to Niagara. 5 years after his wife and was laid to rest next to her grave.  It is still hard to believe as my husband and i were very close to them.  She is buried only 3 graves to the right of my brother and her dad, Art, is to the left of my dad. Sometimes it is funny how things turn out.  

 I would guess I know almost every one or am related to many buried on this cemetery. At least the ones since i am old enough to remember. My Aunt Runyan above,  The Brueckner's above who I was close friends with their children.

 My precious Aunt Marcy, who was loved and admired by almost everyone.  She past away in a terrible accident on ice and drown when their car slid into a lake of water.  I thank God it was a fast easy death for her and that he spared my Uncle Ed and cousin.  It was a hard thing for them both and the whole community.   

 Now this beautiful headstone belongs to my grandparents, my mother's parents.   Below is the HANSSEN headstone and the two foot stones of my other grandparents, my dad's parents.  I never got to know my grandfather as he past away before my parents were even married.   

Here you can see where my dad's grave is from his dad and mom's grave. My grandparents.   Just look at the end  right headstone over the white stone. 

 This is halfway to the back of the cemetery,  you can see the brick with three crosses on is where the old church stood. The Behm headstone, back side, is my Uncle Johnny  my mother's younger brother, he was the first Behm child to pass away.  

 These are friends from Niagara, Richard ran the Niagara Grain Elevator for years.  I love the color in this headstone.  I think this is the first one I have seen with a hint of color.  

 This is the Headstone of my Great Grandparents, My mother's grandparents.  They have a big blue spruce tree on their grave.  Their grave is also in german.

 This is my Great Grandfather Behms brother.  He was always called Henry Shencousksi as was their German name before coming to America.  My Great Grandfather changed the last name to Behm due to not being able to spell Shencousksi in english at Ellis Island.  After my Great Uncle past away, he was buried as Henry Behm whether he liked it or not.   Many of the older headstones have Bible verses written in German. 

Cemetery's are very interesting and there is one thing that is sure, our days on earth are few compared to eternity.   One of my favorite Bible verses assures us that we can live happily ever after in eternity with God.  Romans 6 verse 23.  FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.        Romans 8 is also a very good chapter to read especially the last 5 verses.