The Mass Celebrating Ruth Lonnemann's Life

The following information is a combination of the program that was handed out at the funeral for my Grandmother and what was said at the mass and reception. The mass and reception were held at the beautiful Mother of God Church in Covington Kentucky. The Church has a web site where you can see pictures of the inside of the church. See the link at the bottom of this article.

Prayer Card

In Loving Memory of Ruth Lonnemann

Born August 28, 1926
Died November 29, 2005

Do not stand by my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow. I am a diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circuling flight. I am the soft starshine at night.

Do not stand by my grave and cry. I am not there...I did not die.

 

Mass of Christian Burial; Ruth Lonnemann

Born on Earth: August 28, 1926
Born to eternal life: November 29, 2005
Mother of God Church, 119 West Sixth Streen, Covington, Kentucky
December 2, 2005
 

Presider

Fr. Brian Wiggers

Ministers of Music

Carol Jenkins (organist), Andrea and Carol Lonneman (vocalists)

Introductory Rite

We gather today to celebrate the life in Christ of Ruth. Holy water, the Easter candle, and the white cloth are reminders of her baptism, when she entered into life with Christ.

Prelude

Irish Blessing

Processional

Be Note Afraid

Opening Prayer

Fr. Wiggers

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

Ruth 1: 16-17, "Whereever you go I will go." Read by Jacob Geiman (grandson)

Responsorial

Psalm 23 (sung)
Response: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a, 12-13, "...but the greatest of these is love." Read by Reina Lonnemann (daughter in-law)

Gospel Acclamation

Celtic Alleluia

Gospel

Matthew 5: 1-12a, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Read by Fr. Wiggers.

Homily

Fr. Wiggers

Fr. Brian Wigger did not have the opportunity to meet my Grandmother or know the Lonnemann family. But, he give a very good homily. He reflected on the Loss Eric Clapton and then on the song Eric Clapton wrote called Tears in Heaven.

Fr. Brian Wigger ended his homily with the following poem

My First Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below
with tiny lights like heaven's stars, reflecting in the snow.
The sign is so spectacular, please wipe away the tears,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

I hear the many Christmas Songs that people held so dear
But the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas Choir up here

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing

I know how much you miss me I see the pain inside your heart
But I'm not so far away we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift form my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, "Love" is the gift, more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my dear Father said to do,
For I can't count the blessings or love he has for you
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away the fear,
Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Intercessions

Please respond: Lord, hear our prayer. Read by Mike Geiman (son in-law)

We pray for Ruth, wife, mother, friend, grandmother and great grandmother. That God will look favorably on her faithfulness, given her peace, and everlasting life with God.
We pray to the Lord.
 
We pray for Al, husband, father, friend, grandfather, and great grandfather. May his faithfulness and warm memories sooth him at this difficult time, and, help him be at peace in the present.
We pray to the Lord.

For all of us gathered here today. That our respect for the gift of life that God has given us may be renewed. And, that we strive to live in the present moment taking comfort in knowing that God is as close to us as our own bodies.
We pray to the Lord.

We pray for all those that have accepted the call to religious vocations. You have played an instrumental role in our lives by nurturing our faith, marrying those of us that have found partners in life and faith, baptizing our children, and now, helping us to celebrate the life of Ruth in this Holy Mass. May the Lord always protect you and provide for you.
We pray to the Lord. 

For those battling cancer. May their bodies be healed, their soles be at peace, and their trust be in God.
We pray to the Lord.

For the St Vicient de Paul society. That our communities will continue to support their work to be the hands and mouth of Christ to those in need on Earth.
We pray to the Lord.

For all of use hear today. That we will bring the love and compassion that we are experiencing today to the world as we return to our daily lives.
We pray to the Lord.

For the Catholic Church, this Archdiocese, and the Pope. That our leaders may always discern the wisdom of God when dealing with Earthly concerns. And especially that our spiritual leaders may guide us all closer to Christ.
We pray to the Lord.

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Presentation of Gifts

Music: "Amazing Grace" played by Phoenix Blom-Ramsey (great-grandchild) on his Saxophone

Bread and wine presented by
Denise Schickling & Lynn Webster

Red Roses presented to Grandma by
Grandchildren
Nick Lonnemann
Josh Lonnemann
Laura Lonnemann
Mike Lonnemann
Jacob Lonnemann
Andrea Lonnemann
Eric Blom
Molly Blom
Brigitte Blom-Ramsey
Todd Ramsey

Great-Grand Children
Phoenix Ramsey
Ariel Ramsey
Mac Ramsey
Cole Ramsey

Josh's son (someone help me here)

Eucharistic Prayer

"Mass of Creation (Haugen)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Memorial Acclamation
Amen
Lamb of God

Communion

"Prayer of St. Francis

Meditation

"Ave Maria"

Words of Remembrance

Eric Blom

I have the honor of speaking to you today about my Grandmother I think some people thought I could be stoic today. Luckly if have all of my cousins around me here on the Alter to support me.

I was thinking this morning, what did Grandma teach me, what indelible mark did she leave on me. And it was clear, Grandma was a role model for life. She should have had her own playing cards, sports drinks, and TV endorsements to guide our youth.

 I have lots of great memories of my Grandmother floating in her pool in the backyard or always being hospitable when I visited, “get your self something to drink from down stairs”, she would say.

But, the words that come to mind when I think about the strongest impression that left left on me are: Marriage, Faithfulness, Communication, Family, and Community

As Catholics we don’t read the bible much at home, we let other people read it to us at Church. To continue that tradition I would like to read to you some verses from the bible that I found this morning when thinking about my Grandmother.

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 18:18

Last night when all of us Grandchildren were at Longhorn enjoying dinner together it was clear to me what good seed Grandma had sown on Earth. All of these men and women are of superb character  and they are people that I would choose to associate with even if they were not my relatives.

Grandma was a role model to me of what we should bind on earth: Family, community (like neighbors and just being friendly to everyone), and service as she did at the St. Vincent de Paul Society and to her Church.

When I said that my Grandmother is a role model to me it would be impossible not to include her marriage to my Grandfather in what she taught me.

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:19-20

Grandma was fun. But never disrespectful. She also had a hot and cold relationship with Duke, Grandpa's dog. Some times Grandma would complain about Duke's barking or Grandpa giving him human food, but, then when almost no one was looking Grandma would be giving Duke a little something from the table. I'm sure that Grandma knows how important Duke is to Grandpa, especially now. So, recalling Grandma would want us to smile, her love for Grandpa, and, recalling that God wants us to join together in prayer, I offer the following prayer

Please respond, We pray to the Lord

We pray for Duke. That he may get scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast and ice cream and green beans for dinner each night. And, that Duke will continue to be a constant and faithful companion to Grandpa. We pray to the Lord.

I see this verse as adding a great deal of strength to marriage and I see my Grandmother and Grandfather as being examples of living out this verse. To me this is evident in their 60 years of loving marriage and the wonderful family that they created. Clearly the prayers of my Grandmother and Grandfather for their marriage and for their family have been answered. For me this is the most precious gift that my Grandmother has given me — she was a role model of faith exercised pragmatically in her life and marriage.

Matthew 18:19-20

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Oh, and one last thing, I’m quite sure there are no cats in Heaven. Atleast in Grandma's part.

Final Commendation and Farewell

Response: Receive her soul and present her to God, God the Most High.

Recessional

"On Eagle's Wings"

Reception

Words of Remembrance

Dennis Blom's Memories of his Mother In-Law

Molly Blom's Memories of Grandma Lonnemann

My Grandmother was one to be admired. Not because of her ambition or creativity, she was neither one of these things.

My Grandmother could spend the whole day sunning herself in a cattle troth just big enough to fit a blow-up raft and a cold drink; instead of planning a trip to Florida. "Its too expensive", "Al won't go" she'd say. But, if you planned the trip. Took care of all the logistics, boy, her bags would be packed and ready to go.

I never remembered my Grandmother nagging me about anything. Life was to be enjoyed with family and friends. Their isn't a single member of this family that can't remember her saying, "Do it now, before you get too old!"

As a little girl we would spend the holidays in the basement on Meadow Lane dancing to the lyrics of the Beer Barrel Polka taking turns mixing drinks (non alcoholic) at Grandpa's bar.

Sleep overs with Grandma meant watching Paradise Island. Me, with my chee-toes and coke, Grandma with her wine and chips.She would let me wear her jewelry and eat fresh strawberries from the garden. Always remembering to tell me what a pretty smile I had.

Even when she was sick, Grandma still took the time to check the Good looking Doctor's wedding finger. The hospital wasn't a place to get well. It was a place with bad food and lots of eligible bachelors. "You can fall in love with a rich man just as easily as you can a poor one Molly B", "I'll keep looking", she'd laugh.

Our Grandmother was never happy with a picture, heated cats, and was never done shopping.

Our Grandmother loved life. She wasn't always happy with it, but, she believed in family.

I'll always remember Grandma for her welcoming nature and lasting goodbyes.

Brigitte Ramsey's Memories of her Grandma Lonnemann

Katie Lonnemann's Memories of her Grandma Lonnemann In-Law

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Links:

our.homewithgod.com/mog/pages/FrontOfChurch.htm