Dear Family and Friends,
A verse from Psalm 19, The heavens declare the glory of God, comes vividly to my mind every time I look up into a clear night sky in this Northwoods where I live, especially now at Christmastime. It is comforting to think that the glory of God I see in the night sky is the same glory that Dale is part of now. The day before Dale passed away, he suddenly sat up in bed, moving his hands and saying, "It is starting to open up." I can only imagine what Dale is seeing now surrounded by God's glory in heaven.
They say not to make any plans or big moves for at least one year. I am sitting tight, teaching second grade at the elementary school in Iron River, very thankful to have a job that I love. Sixteen smiling faces surround me every school day. My own children call, email, and visit, and my church family looks out for me also. A granddaughter, Margo Claire, was born to Grant and Jen on September 20. We will all be down at Grant's house near Milwaukee for Christmas including Dale's daughter, Angela. I will stay the whole week so I can spend as much time with Margo as I can. (Holding babies always helps a grieving heart.)
I have plenty to be thankful for. Despite the diagnosis in early June, Dale and I had the whole summer together. I am grateful for Angela who took time off from work to come and help me take care of her Dad during his last weeks. Without her, we would not have been able to be at home with 
hospice. It was a privilege and an honor to be able to care for Dale. I have many wonderful memories of a patient, godly, caring man who was my husband.Thank you all, again, for the love, care and support that you showed us during Dale's illness and subsequent death.
...And be sure to hold onto those you love this Christmas. Give them an extra hug, and gaze into the night sky.
Lovingly,
Amy
3 comments:
Just wanted to thank you Angela for sharing Amy's letter with us. I still look at this site quite often.
We still find ourselves drawn to this blog so often...
Amy and Angela,
With Jeff's permission, I'm posting the letter he wrote to you after Dale's funeral. He felt his words were too inadequate to send, but I think they're too heartfelt not to share. We love you so much and miss you so!
Love, Heather
THE LINE OUT THE DOOR
I have read this blog continuously since the beginning. I have begun to type something in countless times and felt the words so inadequate that I have stopped. I will make one more feeble attempt.
What a beautiful service. What incredible testimonials. It was remarkable to hear these people speak of Dale in such a way. Dale was like no other pastor (or person) I had ever known. But when I listened to his peers…other pastors, camp directors and friends, and they spoke of Dale as being so wonderful, it made me realize how much I would miss that presence. I was terribly (selfishly) sad when Dale and Amy were called to Iron River. But during the service it became so obvious how many more lives this wonderful man had touched since then. Lives he could not have affected had he not left Mondovi. Lives that will now go on to touch other lives, and others after that. Dale has left a legacy like no other I have ever known. My sons will know his name and what he did for my family. Dale, as well as Amy, brought my wife and I to the light in the darkest hour of our lives. He/they did so much for my family it would be misguided to attempt to create a list. We were also given the gift of visiting with Dale during that last week. It was a wonderful visit. He was able to hold my son, and speak to us for a short time. In that time I knew he was at peace. He spoke of Amy and Angela, and his church in Iron River. And in typical Dale Johnson fashion, when I began to weep, he offered that phrase we all cherished so many times; “Lets Pray.” I braced myself for his words…and wondered how he would address this terrible time…and of course was treated to his blessing on my family, and his prayer that God would continue to watch over MY FAMILY. You are incredible Dale. And yes, I will see you again.
Angela: I want to start by saying thank you personally for this site. I cannot begin to explain the comfort it has given me. It made me feel as though I was a part of every day. It answered so many questions that would have been too difficult to ask, and painful to wonder about. It gave me the picture I will never forget (of Dale and Amy together in the yard). It allowed me to get to know you, if even in such a small way. I would like to add how much I admire what you have done through out this entire terrible time. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been on you. Yet through it all you seem to have put yourself aside for so many others. Your words here have aided so many hearts. Your work there cannot be measured. What you did for your father and Amy is unquestionably one of the most selfless acts I have ever known. You should know that it not only benefited Dale and Amy, but gave countless others peace in knowing you were there with them. Thank you Angela, I will never forget you.
Amy: Thank you for sharing your life with us. I will not pretend to comprehend the sacrifices you made for others. Being married to Dale must have been both rewarding and trying. I can’t imagine a spouse whose time and attention are asked for more, yet you both did it so often. Countless trips to the sides of people, who loved you both, in their greatest times of need. How many hospital beds did you visit, how many funerals? I picture every sermon now, with Dales vibrant blue eyes and full-face smile getting more and more excited as he went. And every time, mere feet away, you were there. Smiling, loving. You shared with us the one you loved so much, and that shows us all what type of a person you are. Your family, your work and your life are all aimed at helping others. You are a remarkable woman that is loved by so many. I pray that tomorrow is somehow easier than today, and I hope you reach out to us if it is not. We are better people for having known you and Dale. God Bless You!
Dale Johnson was my Pastor. He is my friend.
Amy and Angela,
I was one of Dale's roommates at St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College) during 1971-72. I attended Dale and Deby's wedding and was a guest in their home. He took me out in the boat trout fishing; I can still taste that great breakfast!
I was also a guest at Dale and Amy's beautiful home in Mondovi, and tuned the piano and sang at their church.
I specifically did a search for Dale's name because my wife has filed for divorce and I knew he would understand and care, as does our Lord and Savior Jesus. He had once prophesied that I would have a wife and that she would be beautiful; he was right on both counts.
The following is a copy of a tribute I sent to Tim Creen. I'm sorry for your loss, but look with you for the great reunion and the marriage supper of the Lamb, complete with trout, popcorn and ice cream.
Dan Eumurian
La Crosse, WI
hope4you@centurytel.net
I hadn't heard from my 1971-72 St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College) roommate Dale Swan Johnson for some time, so I did a search and came up with the sad news and your beautiful article. I was an immature transfer student with a walking disability due to polio, so I was put with "Swan" and Jim Stumbo, the resident assistants on the first floor of the men's dorm. We stacked our beds three-high in the larger room of the two-room suite (I took the top bunk). Dale and I were both taking voice lessons. I was singing "The Two Grenadiers" in German, so Dale dubbed me :Der Kaiser." We both loved to play the trombone, and we sang in the Male Chorus.
Ice cream wasn't Dale's only weakness. I would be heading back to the room and would smell popcorn. Opening the door, I would exclaim, "Yes! It's us!"
That year I went through a spiritual crisis. Dale and Jim prayed for me. One day I blurted out to Dale, "What can I do to feel closer to God?" He responded by singing softly a line from an old African American spiritual: "Talk about a man that do love Jesus. Here's one. Here's one."
He once told me, "I was a wild man in high school. If the Lord hadn't saved me, I would have been dead by now."
I tuned the piano and sang at Dale's church in Mondovi, Wisconsin some years ago. It was appropriately named "Friendship Baptist Church." He was sincere, devout, sensitive, hospitable, compassionate, loving, and fun to be around. I'm still drawing inspiration from his beautiful life and his living faith.
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