Our Dad
Jesus said
in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it
more abundantly.” Our Dad truly had an abundant life—certainly abundant in
years though somehow it’s never enough, and it’s hard to say good-bye.
Our Dad was
a man of faith. Not one to stand up and testify publicly, his was a
“behind-the-scenes” kind of testimony. He loved the church and God’s people,
and he was generous with his time and resources. Carl Kouba’s imprint can be
found all over the church entryway, the fellowship hall, and probably even on
the plumbing in the parsonage! We all knew that we would go to church on
Sunday, and we have memories of Sunday mornings in the summer when Dad might
get up, eat his breakfast, do chores, mow the lawn or wash the car, take a
shower, shine his shoes and still make it to Sunday school by 9:30!
We have to
say Dad was best identified as a farmer. Indeed, his fingerprints are on every
inch of the family farm. We affectionately admit that, though he was absent-minded
about some things—such as where he left his hammer or his glasses—he was very
much the perfectionist when it came to his life’s work. He took great pride in
beautifully even-sized cattle lined up at the bunk or a 12-inch ear of corn
with straight rows, perfectly filled, hard, and dented just right. Like all
good farmers, Dad was an amateur meteorologist scanning the evening sky for a
bank in the west. Though he always feared we didn’t have enough rain or perhaps
a little too much, or the cattle prices or grain prices seemed shaky, the
cattle normally flourished, and nearly every year seemed to bring an abundant
and satisfying harvest.
Though
Dad’s first love was work—he seemed happiest when he could just get outside and
put in a long, hard day on the farm—he did have other interests too. He enjoyed
sports of all kinds, including bowling and golf, but he especially loved baseball
which he played enthusiastically. As a fan, the Chicago Cubs were his team.
It’s hard to believe he waited 95 years, and the Cubs never won a World Series.
Let’s just
say that Dad had many “first loves.” His best love was his family. We never
doubted how he felt about our mother. He always thought she was the most
beautiful woman in the world. He never changed that opinion, and he couldn’t
believe how lucky he was to get her. As his children, we know that he was very
much devoted to us as well. Maybe this is best illustrated in his unconditional
love and patient caring for our sister Kay. Every push on the swing in the
front yard represented his love and care for his family. And then there are the
grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He had proud stories about each one, and
they continued to bring a smile to his face till the very end.
Dad’s
favorite Bible passage was Rev. 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” …You
know the reality of this now, Dad. You are rejoicing in glory--please know that
we’ll meet you there!
Love,
Barbara, Alan, Mark, and Kay
