Jack Krone – July 15, 1947 – March 9, 2022

This is Jack's story pretty much through the lens of my eyes and those who share their memories.

It just seemed that Jack would always be there----he'd been through what I'm sure were narrow escapes before---gotten through it and carried on---I marveled at that.  This would be another one of those 'narrow escapes' --- he'd get through it too and go on.  I saw him in June 2016 in a 'care home' in a pitiful condition--that haunts me to this day.

Not this time though---not to be I sit here stunned reeling with the shock and unreality of what's happened.

Like the words in the old song "this time we're really breaking up---this time is for always" We know someday there'll be no tomorrow---somehow there's an element of disbelief---til it's undeniable.

Each of us has his "story"---with Jack when you hear his name it strikes a chord in your heart----we each knew him the way we knew him---who he was for you. So many lives he touched----likely leaving tracks across your heart and mind---he's left a deep furrow across my heart----deep and wide.

As our daughter Shauna so aptly put it into words 'you didn't know what you'd get!!!!

Jack was Jack ---to have Jack in your life---and do it well---was to die to self----to selfitis:  to give action to intention, to resolve-----to what it really means  'to do unto others'----to see and to actually make day by day moments  "Holy Moments".---and in failure to do that, to beat yourself to a pulp.  If this is meaningful to you at all you have an inkling of the meaning of this message.

We come from God---we belong to God, and we return to Him. Jesus doesn't leave us orphans----He said, "I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may also be" Jesus told us, "I am with you always"

In 1947 on July 15 LaVern and MariAnna welcomed their 3rd child into their family which up until then had been 2 girls:  This child, a son, was given he name Jack Howard---the Howard after MariAnna's father Howard Fleshman.

Jack's journey of 74 years 8 mo. began on a farm in the middle of Kansas in 1947. Judging from pictures of Jack he had a captivating beautiful almost mischievous smile, radiating joy and happiness---zest for life. Little was it known that life was about to take an unanticipated drastic life changing turn.

What brought this about? Mom said that by the time Jack was 18 mo. old it was certain that he could not hear. In the 1940's in the middle of Kansas faced with this unfamiliar situation, came uncertainty and even desperation; where to turn ---what to do. Likely the family doctor, Dr. Ballard did his best to offer assistance.  Mom said that 'doc' said raising a child with (what used to be referred to as a handicap) was like raising 6 "Normal" kids. In 1952 Jack would have been 5 years old---we went to Wichita to live. Jack went to the "Institute of Logopedics" --'logopedics being the scientific study of treatment of speech defects.

This residence in Wichita lasted for the 1952-53; 1953-54 school years. Living in Wichita opened up a whole new world:  We became aware by our observation that there were other children with various problems, i.e., cerebral palsy. Our physical way of living was different---here an apartment with hot and cold running water; an indoor bathroom; doing laundry without pumping and heating the water:  lots more people--35 or 40 kids in my 3re and 4th grade classes rather that 16 back at Delphos; nuns teaching at school dressed in clothes called "habits".

There were sidewalks for Jack to ride his little 14-inch bike with training wheels, which were soon removed and for us to skate on with our metal clamp on roller skates. Trains would go by on the nearby tracks and we often smelled the refinery. We got accustomed to it and other that being somewhat homesick life was good.

In the fall of 1954 (I believe) we returned to our farmhouse at Delphos, Jack was 7 years old and Kansas School for the Dear became Jack's new school---with this came a BIG difference---our family members were separated.

Reading this story is one thing---living it quite another.

Jack began living at Emery Hall---as a residential student---meaning he lived there rather than at home.

This was a major shift, extremely traumatic time. To this day most difficult to recall. The way it was handled was that the student had to remain at school for an extended period of time:  4 to 6 weeks or so:

Before the parents could come to take them home for a visit then be brought back to school. Our family members were separated and would be for the long haul---this is just the way it was. How to cope with that level of anguish----your child entrusted to strangers---day after day, night after night wondering---fearing---what Jack was going through.  What else but just endure it---heartache and dread.

Leaving Jack at school---at that point---the folks had no real way of letting Jack know they'd ever be back- Homesickness is a consuming hurt:  so, into Jack's life and ours came heartache on heartache and dread--ever present dread.  Of course, we looked forward to getting Jack home for weekends---200 miles one way to get him at school then 200 miles return trip home; Turn around 2 days later and again 200 miles one was to return to school and 200 miles back home.  The folks tried to make this trip once a month.

We looked forward to Christmas vacation, then summer---glorious summer; but always the dread of taking Jack back to school--  I can see Mom yet---on the hill (our name for our place)--in the hot summer getting Jack's clothes ready to go back to school---stitching name tags into each piece---name tags that came in a roll---Mom would cut them off one by one.  Air conditioning was a water cooler in a window:  Plus keeping up with all the other work she had to do without conveniences of any sort:  But in the summer it was time that our family was not separated.

It also became Mom's weekly ritual while Jack was at school to send him a box, so he's have something to look forward to.  Thank God for Mom's job as a cook at school in those days---probably kept her from losing her mind.

Oh sure---being together sometimes meant getting chased with a dead bird---Jack knew I was scared to death of birds---so he would go out to the road and find a dead bird, hit by a car, and use it to get his way with whatever we were fighting about.

This pattern went on until 1958, except for a brief time in the spring of 1955--we lived in Olathe. The fall of 1958 the cows, Spot, Dot, Beulah, Tiny and even Pet were sold, and arrangements were at long last made to move to Olathe and live for each school year returning in the summers to Delphos to carry on the farm.  This was a turn for the better!!!  Putting behind a long dark time with its ever-present cloud of sadness hanging over it.

Jack's school career at KSD was from 1954 to the spring of 1968, age 7 to 21. Somewhere in his early 20's another biggy came into Jack's life---and consequently into all our lives---bi-polar. Again, as the deafness had been--unfamiliar territory. That set life off on another rough road:  if the twists and turns prior to this had seemed difficult----that was a stream compared to the raging river of bi-polar----dread and uncertainty escalated to a far higher level; behavior outbursts which were unpredictable! but you certainly knew when they were happening AND they demanded attention----no way to be ignored.  Meds used in the early 70's to manage bi-polar were problematic to put it mildly----: a never-ending battle for some level of stability; interspersed with occasional hospitalizations.

Jack married around 1969---perhaps a bit later.  His daughter, Jo Ann was born.  Jack's wife's parents lived in Wichita---so he and his young family lived there---until Jack and his wife divorced.  Eventually he married a 2nd time; a son Jason and a daughter Holly were born.  They made their home in Salina and Ellsworth; until leaving to go live in Texas about 1983.  Jason would have been 6 and Holly 4. (I think)

Around 1995 we got a call from Jason saying Jack was seriously ill in the hospital.  Mom, sister Sheri and I flew to Houston---Jack was in the hospital.  The reason for this hospitalization is unknown to me.  We returned home after a few days---it seemed Jack was doing well.

Jack came to Kansas for a visit once that I know of between 1995 and 2008; He was in Kansas form March 2008 to January 2009. During this stay Mom died in August 2008. Jack came to Kansas in 2018, Sept 16th. He remained in Kansas except for a visit to Houston from January 2021 to April 2021. He lived here in Kansas residing in our home until October 2021 at which time health issues took him to a stay at Hilltop in Beloit. His health steadily deteriorated; On March 9, 2022, his work on earth completed---his soul departed---returned to God. His work on earth completed BUT the work of living the lessons he left remains:  Lessons such as "This too shall Pass" while "this" can seem endless:

Be careful what you pray for---I had stressed over dreading that Jack would die alone in some rest home chemically restrained--similar to the condition I had seen him in at that care home' in 2016; COME TO FIND OUT!!!!

If only each day could be lived with the feelings that come over you at a person's death:  your consuming thoughts  "If only I'd 'a this or if only I'd 'a that"----do whatever needs doing'  with those in your life NOW---do not put it off---you may never get the chance again----  This time of Jack's taking leave---these moments----this day---had been lived over and over during the course of the years----how would it happen,  wondering what they would look like:  WELL NOW I KNOW---I'll never be the same---so many moving parts----Had I known what I've come to find out!!!!

Someday for life on earth---there'll be no tomorrow----

Throughout this garden of warts and weeds Jack had and kept his sense of humor---always ready, looking for some was to play a trick and laugh! His passion was "wheels" and spinning those wheels---go karts; old pickups, and motorcycles---always a kid at heart; DQ malts; mashed potatoes; choc covered cherries; maraschino cherry juice on ice cream; cats; DVDs---Bonnie and Clyde. He was very talented I'd say gifted with wood and motors:  he took an old riding lawn mower; spent hours customizing it, reconditioned a motor, put it on the mower and rode it.  (To a bean field west of our house---the chain broke---we didn't know where he was---had our police department out looking for him with the helicopter----he was found taking a nap out there in that field --- beside the 'mower' turned go-kart.  He saw the whole thing as an adventure and "Fun")

So now time to say farewell Jack---goodbye to the journey that's been so rough in places---free now of all the strife, tears, hardships, suffering and unrest lessness---Our hearts are made for you oh God and they are restless until they rest in You.  May all the angelic legions of God's heaven be escorting you with honor to the place Jesus went to prepare just for you and may you at last know thoroughly and completely and for all eternity God's Peace that is beyond our understanding. And as I enter into my remaining days on this earth, I so miss you greatly---'you' --- always in my heart, thoughts and prayers---

He will be greatly missed by his son, Jason; daughters, JoAnn and daughter, Holly; sisters, LaVonna and Sheri; and by all those who were blessed to have him in their lives.

And may you be HEARING the only words that really matter---Jesus saying to you----WELCOME into paradise---good and faithful servant ----well done.

A visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Thursday, March 24 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 25 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Glasco with burial following in St. Paul's Cemetery, Delphos.  Memorials may be made to Kansans for Life and may be mailed to Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.