King of the Jungle

Some of you

know already, and some may just learn this as I post this, that my grandfather passed away this past Monday 5/5/08. Thank you to everyone who keeps my family (most especially my grandmother) in your prayers. Please continue to keep her in your prayers...

He lived to be 95, married for 70 years, and traveled most of the world. He once had bright red hair but in all my lifetime he was completely bald and cute the way grandpas are.

He loved to play Backgammon and to eat Strawberry Ice Cream. He was known to me and all his grandchildren as Grandpa Lion.

He was a very intelligent man and had an impressive life (there are great things in our family gene pool, some of which I'd like to think I inherited). I thought I would share with you his obituary written by my grandmother from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin that came out Wednesday, May 7, 2008:

Remembrance

Lynn William Kloepfer

Lynn William Kloepfer was born in Boise, Idaho April 13, 1913 to William Henry and Rachel Fuhriman Kloepfer. The family moved to Rupert, Idaho, where Lynn attended school, graduating from Rupert High School as Valedictorian and Student Body President. Lynn graduated from Utah State University, second in his class in 1935 and was awarded the Thompson Scholarship to Boalt Hall of Law, U.C. Berkeley. Lynn received his Juris Doctor degree in 1938, became a member of the California Bar in December of that year, and practiced law 57 years until his retirement December 31, 1995.

Lynn became attorney for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Berkeley, California and Safford, Arizona. He then was chief attorney for the Sacramento Abstract and Title Co., Sacramento, California and subsequently received appointment as attorney in the Solicitor's Office of the USDA in San Francisco, California. In May, 1947, he moved to Ontario, California to establish his office for general practice of law, which he continued until his retirement. In December, 1988, the State Bar of California awarded him a citation for 40 years of meritorious service.

From 1952 until 1975, he was also City Attorney for the City of Ontario. During this term, the population of Ontario increased from 16,000 to 160,000. Among Lynn's duties as City Attorney were multiple annexations, and negotiating leases for tenants (including General Electric and Lockhead) of Ontario International Airport, which was then owned by the City of Ontario.

Lynn joined the Ontario Kiwanis Club in 1952 and was a member until his resignation in October, 2007, 55 years. He served the club in many capacities and was president 1969-1970.

On August 6,1937, Lynn married Marguerite Fonnesbeck. The couple had four children: William Leon (Marion), Kenneth Lynn and Robert Alan Kloepfer and Kathryn ("K.K.") Ellis (Stanley); 12 grandchildren: Susannah, William and Erin Kloepfer, Joy Park (Darrell), Kathryn Linkous (Kevin), Matthew Ellis (Natalie), Mark Ellis (Aupreille), John Ellis (Laura), Robert (Christa), Rachel, Spencer and Emily Ellis; two step-grandchildren: Sarah and Nathan Jones; and 11 great-grandchildren: Warren, Jared, Cameron and Nolan Park, Ryn and Elle Linkous; Samuel, Ethan, Brian Lynn, Caitlyn and Anne-Lorenne Ellis.

Lynn and Marguerite traveled throughout the world. Some of their adventures included avoiding a stampede of Bactrian camels in the Gobi Desert, flying over Mt. Everest and crossing the Soviet Union through five time zones on the Trans-Siberian Railway. OnAugust 6, 2007, the couple celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary.

Lynn passed away on Monday, May 5, 2008 and arrangements will be private.

Angelina-isms

Susannah & Angelina

New friend: What is your name?

Angelina (age 4): Angelina Ballerina and DeLuca too. (Really her middle name is Marina…)

Angelina's Mommy: Angelina! Did you make this mess?

Angelina (age 2 & ½): No, Nastasha did it.

Nastasha (big sister): I DID NOT!

Angelina's Mommy: Well, who did?Angelina: hmmm… Daddy did it.

Angelina (age 6) [to her godfather, Izzy, after meeting his newborn son]:  He is sooo cute!  I want to babysit him.  I'll feed him and play with him and hold him!

Me: You can change his diapers too!  

Angelina: Oh no!  That's disgusting!

Me: I used to change your diapers.

Angelina: That's different because you're my honey and I'm your baby. 

[When I would tickle her feet she gave her feet names! Here is what she called them]

Angelina (age 2 & ½): Punch & Bananas

Angelina (age 3): Thunder & Lightning

[When she would attempt to tackle me to tickle me]

Angelina (age 3 & ½): You BIG Rascal

[When she doesn't want to do something or sometimes just as an announcement because she is proud of this fact]

Angelina: I'm little

Angelina's Mommy: Mrs. Teri (Angelina's Kindergarten Teacher) loves you and is so proud of you

Angelina (age 4): I don't really love her

Angelina's Mommy: Why?

Angelina: Because she gives me homework

Me: Angelina, you have to stop growing, soon I won't be able to pick you up and hold you any more....

Angelina: Daddy says I need to grow or I'll just be a little chicken.

Nastasha (big sister): Let's play hide and seek

Me: I don't know if we should be running around in the house…

Angelina (age 3): one… two… three…

Me (to Nastasha): Let's hide under the table in the dining room so it isn't too hard for the baby to find us…

[Nastasha and I hide]

Angelina: …ten …eleven …twelve …thirteen …Ready or not here I come…

[We hear Angelina stomping around the hallway and the girls bedroom and then we hear Angelina crying]

Me, calling out: Angelina, keep looking sweetheart. You will find us!

[More crying – Nastasha and I come out of hiding to see what is wrong and walk towards Angelina. Angelina stops crying]

Angelina (laughing): TAG! You're it!

After Billy (cousin, my brother) was his usual obnoxious self and teasing her:

Angelina (age 4): JESUS WOULDN'T DO THAT!

Izzy (Angelina's Godfather): Hello. [Kisses Angelina]

Angelina: The police are going to come and take you away from the party.

Izzy: Why?

Angelina: Because I called them to take you to jail for being very naughty

Aunt Yoly-mama (my mom, this is what Angelina calls her): Angelina, that isn't a nice thing to say!

Angelina: I didn't really call them, I only used my hand, see: [Angelina puts her hand with her thumb towards her ear and her little finger towards her mouth to form a phone] Will you take Yoly-mama too [giggles]

Angelina (age 4): Do you have great big boobs or little tiny boobs?

Me: Angelina! What are you talking about?

Angelina: oh, you have little tiny boobs…

Me: Angelina, we don't talk like this, why are you talking this way, you don't even have boobs.

Angelina: oh, yes I do. I have little tiny boobs. Do you know why girls have great big boobs?

Me: why?

Angelina: So they can pop! Hahahahahahahahahaha

Me: Where did you get this? How did you come up with this?

Angelina: From myself. I'm magic.

At Mass

Me: Angelina, do you see what they are doing up at the alter with the bread and wine?

Angelina: Yes, there is the Holy Spirit.