I first met Eileen and family when Keith and I served on the committee to welcome those who visited our church. We visited Eileen and Larry and became “church” friends. Our interests diverged as our children grew up–in different schools and with different interests. Keith and I eventually became part of a church plant.
Then I was asked to speak to the Kearney Christian Women’s Connection (KCWC) group–part of Stonecroft Ministries. (This is a non-denominational ministry to women.)
Eileen and I not only renewed that old relationship but built it into a solid friendship. In fact, she was my ride to KCWC each month. She encouraged my speaking for Stonecroft women’s groups in the area. She also scheduled me at a women’s luncheon at her Sumner church. She drove and we talked, shared and enjoyed each other’s company. She managed to get me involved more with our local KCWC group as well.
I was humbled by her deep faith and desire to reach out to others. She loved helping and seemed to have boundless energy. This despite her diagnosis of cancer. She was matter-of-fact about it and didn’t allow her treatments and sometimes lack of strength and energy to stop her.
When there was a need, she stepped up. The decorations on the tables of the monthly KCWC luncheon often came from her own collection. She was on the board in any number of capacities over the years and often worked with making sure she communicated with the speakers and that their needs were met. She was one of the KCWC callers who called each month to see who was coming and making reservations for lunch.
She loved her family and was constantly doing things for and with them. She was proud of her kids and grandkids and showed it in her words and actions. Her family was important to her.
Faith was also important. She wanted others to know the God of love and care she knew and revealed that love by her own actions. I wasn’t the only one she gave rides to. Though she had her regular cancer treatments at Heartland Hematology, she wasn’t focused only on her needs. She’d see other women worried and stressed and reached out to them with a word, friendship and more. There were times she went to the center just to be with one or another patient who was upset or even frightened.
When the KCWC president stepped down a year or so ago, she and Enid Hanson stepped forward to co-chair. She already had a full-plate as did Enid, but this was something that needed doing, so these ladies stepped into the gap. This despite more surgery. She had such hopes for this surgery, but it was not to be. Eileen grew weaker. When I spoke to her only a couple days before she went to be with the Lord she loved and served with all her heart, she was upbeat and still trying to find a way to help me. Eileen loved serving others and she did it with a big heart of love.
It was difficult to hear the news she was gone. In the last couple of years as we grew close, I found my own walk of faith growing. Eileen was a person of faith and purpose and hope. What a legacy she left for those of us left to grieve–not for her, but for those of us left behind. Eileen was my friend, encourager and mentor. Even more, she was an example to follow in life and faith and caring. Thank you for being you.
By Carolyn R Scheidies
Published in the Kearney Hub 10/8/2018