Our deepest gratitude…

Shirley and I wish to thank Kelly Lake neighbors and friends Kathy and Gary Clevers and Al and Karen Breitlow for the kind gift in sympathy, support and remembrance of my daughters’ death, Beth Birr.

I was having a down Saturday morning after the funeral when Shirley came up to me and said that Gary called and was on his way up with a Norwegian Emerald Lustre Maple tree to plant in our yard in memory of Beth (you can see it grow from near the roadway; the smallest tree at about 15′ tall).

The Clevers and Breitlows had heard that when we were picking out a plot for Beth in Manitowoc’s cemetery, it seemed I was led right to the spot with a relatively small tree on it; a beautiful lush green-leaved maple with dark spots on it the size of nickels and quarters. When asked, the sextant said it was a Norwegian Emerald Lustre Maple; one that I’d never seen before. I said that this is the place! (Shirley and I have plots under a tree at Hickory Cemetery near Kelly Lake where the grass is shaded; the flowers and plants will last longer!).

Gary was on his way up with all intentions to plant it. However, it didn’t cross his mind that we needed to call Diggers Hotline; there are gas and electric lines in the area we chose. Gary showed up and we told him Diggers would be out within three days to mark the lines. Gary, understanding, but disappointed, held-off its taking root. Later that week–after our lot was marked–Ron Asp and Steve Zeh planted it.

Our sincere thanks and gratitude to Karen and Al Breitlow, Kathy and Gary Clevers, and Ron Asp and Steve Zeh for their thoughtfulness and kindness. It was Kathy and Karen’s idea; Al and Gary went to pick it out and deliver it

Like Beth and the tree (a memorial will be placed for Beth), the kindness will never be forgotten… Thanks, all! Roger and Shirley Birr

Photo of Gary and I spotting a place for the Norwegian Emerald Luster Maple (which Shirley said to me at the time I first spotted one, “Roger, you know emerald is Beth’s birthstone”. Need I say more…).