A Poem

Dropped Paul off at the airport this morning and things are settling down a bit. While going through mom's things in preparation for putting the house on the market, I stumbled on an old crumpled up newspaper clipping in a satchel off my dad's with this poem on it. I found it touching and appropriate.
Bill

Rae Knerr Memorial Service - Wed., Jan 28, 2015

It's been a few days since we have posted to the website and I thought we should update you on the plans we have made for mom.
The memorial service will be Wed., Jan 28 at 11 a.m. at Pinewood Presbyterian Church,198 Knight Boxx Road, Middleburg, FL 32068.  During the services and reception there will be photos of her life displayed on a revolving video display. If you are interested in viewing these photos I have posted them on my Dropbox account which you can get to in the links section on the right side of this page. A link to the funeral home website is also there.
We also plan a service in Reedsport in August similar to the services we had for her sisters Ellen and Marian. Peggy and Donnie had already planned a visit during that time. We will update you further about that event via email as August approaches.
Bill

Rae Knerr Obituary

Following is the wording we plan to use in mom's obituary. We thank you all for your messages of support. They have been great comfort to us all.
Peg, Paul and Bill

Fleming Island resident Margaret Rae McMindes Knerr died January 23, 2015 at Haven Hospice in Orange Park at the age of 97.
Rae Knerr was born February 5, 1918, near Eugene, Oregon to parents Elvin and Laura McMindes. After spending her early years in Lorane, Oregon the family moved to Astoria, Oregon where her father co-founded the Bank of Astoria and owned the Tidepoint Company.
She attended Astoria High School and later graduated with a business administration degree from Oregon State University where she met and married Lewis Ellsworth Knerr of Portland, Oregon. Shortly after they were married, Lewis, who worked for Pan American Airways, moved to New York and Rae found employment with the Rolex Watch Company in New York City. After 6 years in New York and three children, the family moved to Miami, Florida where she became a homemaker and raised 3 and eventually 4 children. After most of her children were grown, the family moved to Scottsdale, Az , La Crescenta, Ca  and Grover Beach, Ca. After Lewis died in 1997 she continued to live in Grover Beach but eventually decided to move to Florida to be nearer to her daughter.
Survivors include 3 children, William McMindes Knerr, Paul Dace Knerr, Peggy Rae Myers (Donnie), 5 grandchildren, Bob Myers, Gary Myers (Julie), Julie Knerr, Joshua Knerr, Jessica Knerr and 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Lewis, her husband of 55 years,  daughter Pamela Sue Byard and 3 sisters, Doris, Ellen and Marian.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 28 at 11 a.m. at Pinewood Presbyterian Church, 198 Knight Boxx Road, Middleburg, FL, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Haven Hospice of Orange Park or Pinewood Presbyterian Church in Middleburg, FL.
During her life she was active with her sorority (Alpha Gamma Delta), American Association of University Women, supported the San Luis Obisbo Center for the Performing Arts, and hosted and belonged to many bridge groups and garden clubs. She also loved to swim and walk on the beach. In her later years Rae continued to enjoy swimming and playing bridge. She also loved to read, attend concerts and  visit with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Rae regularly attended Pinewood Presbyterian Church with her daughter and son-in-law.

Mom is Gone

Our wonderful mom departed at 1:30 a.m. Friday morning. Peg, Paul and I were with her and Kathy was with her on the phone as she took her last few breaths. Rest in peace mom.

Rae Knerr update Thursday

Mom gets weaker each day but we've been able to keep her comfortable. Paul and I have mostly been with her during the day while Bill has been fixing things at her house. I will be staying with her tonight. It is quiet and peaceful here. Perhaps tonight will be her homecoming. We shall see.
Love and hugs from Peggy

Sent from my iPhone

Rae Knerr Wednesday update

Mom has continued to get weaker but is well cared for here at hospice. We do not think it will be much longer. Donnie and I are going to dinner together in little while to celebrate his birthday. Bill and Paul will be here with her. Perhaps mom plans to celebrate in heaven with us tonight. We all love her very much.
Peg

Bill here,
I am on "momwatch" tonight with a lot of time on my hands so thought I would show you a photo of one of mom's favorite pictures which is now hanging next to her bed.

So, Peg took this to heart tonight by having a margarita with dinner and then going home to bed. Like mother, like daughter ... mom would be proud ;-)

Rae Knerr Tuesday Update

Not much change today. Mom's breathing has been fairly regular all day long and she is sleeping peacefully. Cousin Kathy is on her way back home to California, but before she left she brought a sign mom had on her wall at home that says "know when to give up and have a margarita" which now hangs on her bed post, nicely color coordinated, here at Haven hospice. Both pastor Ren and pastor J. D. came by today for a visit. Mom's room here is spacious with a view of the gardens outside which includes the squirrels fighting over the birdfeeder! Please continue to pray for a peaceful passing for mom.

 Much love from Peggy, Paul and Bill

Rae Knerr Monday Update

Mom continues to hang in there. She had a few rough moments around 5 a.m. this morning and Peg called us in but she stabilized after a bit of morphine and has been comfortable all day. She has had a lot of friends and relatives drop by today to say their good byes. It is 7 p.m. and Peg is taking a much needed break. Will continue our vigil here and keep you all posted.

Bill

Sent from my iPhone 6

Rae Knerr Sunday Update

Dear family and friends,

Mom continues to slowly deteriorate and is not expected to last much longer.  She has been totally unresponsive for several days. In accordance with her directives, fluids and other life sustaining efforts were ceased on Saturday morning. She is in a wonderful hospice facility and is  receiving very compassionate care. She has had some trouble breathing but that has improved and she has been resting comfortably for the last 24 hours.

We have set up a website where we plan to post future updates and info on mom's life. The site will allow you to post comments. The website is located at:
raeknerr.blogspot.com

Thank you for your continued support,

Bill

Update1

Dear friends and family,

 We were able to get mom transferred today to the Haven Hospice at 745 Blanding Blvd,Orange Park, FL 32065, room 110. It is a brand new facility with 18 private rooms. Mom has a very nice room on the corner and the staff there has been wonderful. Today she was not as alert and in fact rested peacefully most of the time. She cannot eat and is only on IV fluids at this time. She is not in any pain. Donnie's sister, Sonda, is staying with her tonight. Thanks to so many who have sent us emails and are praying for her and for us. We really appreciate that and feel very much at peace with the decisions made so far. And now we am going to bed for a good night of sleep! 

 Much love to you all, 

 Peggy & Donnie

Rae Knerr's Stroke

Dear family and friends,

I am sending this to my "Rae's BD party" list and several others so I hope the emails are mostly still correct.

I have sad news about my beautiful mother and wanted you all to know and be in prayer for her and for us. This Tuesday I had gone over to her home to get her ready to have her nails and hair done and then on to bridge, her favorite entertainment! We were visiting as she was getting ready. She went to brush her teeth and while wheeling her wheelchair back to the kitchen where I was, I found her stopped and slumped over in the chair. She has had a massive stroke on the left side. She is currently in Orange Park Medical Center and is aware but cannot speak hardly at all and cannot swallow. We do not think she can see much of anything from her "good" eye either.

I have been able to communicate with her mostly with yes/no questions. Today or tomorrow we will probably move her to an in-patient hospice facility. I will send another email when we decide when and where. Bill, Paul and cousin Kathy are flying in on Friday and Donnie's sisters will probably be here this weekend. Mom's wonderful caregiver, Elysia, has been staying the night with Mom at the hospital these past two nights so I have been getting some sleep.

I will send an update when I can.


 Much love to you all,

Peggy & Donnie