I liked Tonya the very minute I met her. She and Michelle helped me get thru one of the hardest times of my life. My 91 yr old father was sick and dying. I was my father's sole care taker but on Thursday I had 4 hours to enjoy myself. I would go to the VFW and sing karaoke. Tonya and Michelle welcomed me with open arms. Tonya coached me and taught me how to sing. I can't even begin to tell you how much that meant to me. Those 4 hours would breathe new breath into me helping me get thru the hardest weeks of my life. I will be forever GRATEFUL that I knew you.

My tribute to my sister! From Tonyas Service 10/13/2018

As her brother; I stand before you today grieving with a family in shock. we are numb...but we are comforted by each other’s presence. We are all united not only in our desire to pay our respects to Tonya but rather in our need to do so. It’s what Tonya would want.

Tonya, We will always feel cheated that you were taken from us so young age and yet we must learn to be grateful that you came along and were in or lives for the time you were.
 
Only now that you are gone do we truly appreciate what we are now without and we want you to know that life without you is and will be difficult to those you were closest to and for a family that loves you so dearly; this is just very, very difficult to understand....

We have all despaired at our loss over the past week and only the strength of the memory that I have of us growing up is what you gave me; those were the good ole days ....the times at Granny’s, walking with the Papa and Dad through cattle, or a cattle roundup on a Sunday afternoon ....or playing with Papa’s and Granny’s dogs and the many times being with our cousins Brett, Megan and Marla...or our other cousins Sharon & Karen.....and just being kids together; you and I. I remember us as kids having those times together and must say you always did love a good argument. It’s the days that you looked up to be as your Big Brother that moved my emotions most and the great times we had; but remembering the good is what you would want us to do here.....

Indeed to sanctify your memory today would be to miss out on the very core of your being as a good person with a good heart, your mischievous self and your boundless amount of energy I remember you having as my young sister which you could barely contain.

I remember you telling me one time how sad you felt when one of Papas dogs got sick and the time our Doberman pincher Trampus was taken from us.....I remember how you hurt...to this day because your heart hurt for them to be better. You had a good heart then and now and this made it possible for you to connect with your dogs and connect with people in your adult years to help them; because you never met a stranger. You got that from Dad! He never met a stranger.....Though those times were sad; you would want us to remember those times....they were good because you made them good and we all learned your compassionate side.

These were days I will always treasure.  Its these days that I wish we could transported back to our childhood when we spent such an enormous amount of time together—

To our Father that passed last year; I know how much Dad loved you and how his heart always had your best interest at the center of his thought. Well, Your now with him today and so you can now catch up on the years that you both missed....

To Mother; Tonya loved you; shortly after Dad passed away; I made contact with Tonya; she asked about you specifically and wanted to know how you were doing. Tonya; in her own way loved you....and I know that you loved her and how your heart always had her best interest in mind.....Thanks Mom for sacrifices!

Granny, you are the best; you always made us feel welcomed and at home. Your humor, strength and compassion today amazes me and I draw on this for my strength.

In closing;

Tonya would want us today to pledge ourselves to protecting her beloved Dogs Luke, Laiken &
Laden and all her friends that you were close to.


I would like to end by thanking God for the small mercies he has shown us at this dreadful time.  For taking Tonya to be beside the Lord and wrap her in the loving arms of Christ where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, hurt, or anger; but strength; peace, healing, love & joy as your with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As I told you last week when we were together visiting; I am not going to say goodbye.....but; see you later.....much later......

Tonya, I Love You; We All Love You!!

Your Big Brother,

Eric


Psalm 46:1-5
God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the
earth be moved, and though the mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled, though the mountains shake with
the swelling thereof.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall
make glad the city of God, the holy place of
the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be
moved: God shall come to her aid at early dawn!

Eric

I am so sorry for this loss in your family.
Keeping you in our prayers.