Papa Richard and Mama Darlene Mummau

This past week our dear Papa Richard went home to be with the Lord. Yes, a Papa to many across the United States and abroad. Little did I know when I had asked some questions about the Conservative Mennonites and their beliefs, that this man and his wife would come visit our family. They entered our home with a large bag of popcorn in hand. Once we finished our visit, he welcomed us into his growing family. He was Papa, Dawdy and Grandpa to countless. Like so many, I waited for his Family Letter. This was a letter that he wrote weekly. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on his busy traveling schedule. Papa kept us informed of his daily activities and his travels to meet other families. We shared in his life and other church members joys and sorrows. We were connected, we were loved.
About a week ago, I received a Family Letter. Papa shared that he had been short of breath and that daughter Mandy had helped him do the weed whacking. He mentioned that he had thought about dying but that he was here until God was ready to take him home. The next Family Letter was from Papa's Pastor. He had let us all know that our Papa had gone home.
Easter day we went to the viewing. My husband David signed the guest book. A man handed out an additional paper, that we read as we stood in line. The paper was written by Mama Darlene telling us of Papa's final moments.
This day was Papa and Mama Darlene's fifty fourth wedding anniversary. Papa had gotten up at 5:00 am. to write a love letter to his wife and slip it into their mail box. A surprise for Darlene to find later in the day. Just thirty minutes later, Papa had a massive heart attack. That afternoon the room was filled with church members discussing and deciding on the funeral arrangements. Amidst the planning, the door bell rang. A delivery for Mama Darlene. It was beautiful red roses, attached was the card signed, from her loving husband.
In memory of: Richard Eby Mummau (December 6,1936 - April 5, 2012)
"May God bless you real good" "Keep on keeping on!


Revelations 21:3-5 (KJV)

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
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.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.