June 2nd, 2005
Glen & Jewell Burkholder were
married on November 17, 1944
married on November 17, 1944
Although Glen Lester Burkholder was born in the midst of fertile, farmland
in Minnesota with her 10,000 lakes (September 5, 1920), but the endless
rolling waves of the sea always called to his heart.
Some years later, the ripples of love from his lifelong first mate, Jewell Avis
Leigh, reached out to surround him lovingly during the 57 years of their
life-long partnership and rock-solid, Christian marriage that began in San
Francisco, California at the Glade Memorial on November 17, 1944.
Jewell always said that she chased Glen to the ocean and since he
couldn't swim and wasn't able to get any further away, she finally caught
him, and they got married. And so began their voyage in the sea of
married life - 67 years ago...
Glen served in the Merchant Marines during World War II in the Pacific,
and also the Atlantic, from South America to the Philippines and Japan. It
was during this time that he lost the tips of some of his fingers in a
shipboard accident but that minor glitch never slowed him down.
When they came back to Minnesota after the war, Glen began working at
the power plant and Jewell went to work at various places, including the
Munsingwear factory.
After a few years of settling back into civilian life, and their journey
together had begun, so did their family. Glen and Jewell were blessed
with the arrival of the first of their four children who were always at the
center of their lives.
Robert Lester was their firstborn, then two years later Beverly Avis
arrived. William Leigh and James Frank were born quite a few years after
Bob and Bev. As many families did in those days, they would all pile in the
car for countless vacations and meandering road trips to every tourist
destination in the USA.
After moving to Rochelle in 1962, Glen worked as the Power Plant
Engineer for Rochelle Municipal Utilities until 1982, when he retired. In
that span of twenty years, the family's cozy home on 11th Street was the
place for fellowship, food and fond, family memories.
Their favorite respite from the hustle and bustle of Rochelle city life was
the casual, rustic atmosphere of Woodhaven Lakes in Sublette, Illinois. It
was truly a relaxing haven that combined peaceful, idyllic surroundings
with towering trees that shared their space with numerous deer, birds and
many other critters.
The ever-present aroma of burning wood permeated the air. Smoke
always rose from the fire pit in the back yard, which made it the favorite
place to gather for young and old alike. Down the hill from the back yard,
hidden by the trees, was a creek that led to the lake, and along the way a
canoe was hidden in the brush.
Starting in 1972 with a trip to Germany, Glen and Jewell embarked on
many other far-ranging, worldwide trips, cruises and vacations, traveling
all over Europe and also up to Alaska and the Caribbean.
While awaiting the tickets for the next trip, Glen would be outside tending
his fruit tree orchard in the back yard, in the house tending the
grandchildren who went in one door and out the other, and tending his
faith with prayer, Bible reading and many secret good deeds.
When Glen and Jewell retired to Florida a few years ago, they chose a
lovely home on one of the many canals with huge, towering eucalyptus
trees bordering the back, and soaring palm trees in front making it truly
look like the "Florida house on the water" complete with an alligator
sunning himself on the banks of the water.
Glen and Jewell enjoyed their last years sitting on the front porch in the
warm Florida sun, watching the people and the cars go by – they’d finally
made it to Easy Street!
Glen was a God-fearing, Christian man with a quiet faith that was
steadfast and constant. He led by example rather than boast or brawn
and never had an enemy on the face of the earth.
Jewell was an equally God-fearing, Christian woman with not as quiet a
faith as Glen's, but just as steadfast and constant. She staunchly
defended her views and fiercely guarded her domain like a mother lioness.
They both inspired love, devotion and loyalty in their family and friends,
which is quite a legacy to leave your loved ones, and for that gift, we will
always be truly grateful and ever thankful for their influence.
They ended every telephone conversation with, "Love you." And they
were truly loved in return and will always be remembered fondly by their
far-flung family and many old and dear friends.
After Glen passed away, Jewell always said that although she was able to
cope as time went on, she seemed to miss him more and more. At first,
she was completely devastated by her loss and the grief was completely
overwhelming.
Grandma stayed with us, along with Ted and Vada, for a week after the
funeral while we wrote thank you cards and tried in vain to comfort her.
Three things stand out in my memory of that time almost nine years ago.
Grandpa's spirit came to visit me. Andrew and Jarrett were still alive. And
we had to celebrate her birthday (January 24, 1926), in spite of the fact
that she didn't care and didn't want to do anything.
She did laugh when I told her while I was getting the birthday cake at the
Jewel grocery store, I remarked, "this is a cake from Jewel to Jewell."
As the years went by and she had to confront various medical problems
along with traveling alone, she always knew she had the support and love
of her family. Right away, she joined a grief group and was able to
commiserate with other widows who lived nearby.
Of course, she was comforted by her faith and wonderfully supportive
group of church friends. We finally knew Grandma was doing better when
she joined the Red Hat Club. Other than the fact that she missed
Grandpa tremendously, she was able to bloom where she was planted.
We never know for sure when we're going to die, and we certainly didn't
anticipate her passing but there's a few things we can be happy about as
we remember them - she finally got her BIG wedding in 1994. And Jewell
was reunited with her beloved Glen on June 27, 2005.
God bless them. God bless all our other dear loved ones who are gone
but not forgotten. Forever in our hearts. ~djb
in Minnesota with her 10,000 lakes (September 5, 1920), but the endless
rolling waves of the sea always called to his heart.
Some years later, the ripples of love from his lifelong first mate, Jewell Avis
Leigh, reached out to surround him lovingly during the 57 years of their
life-long partnership and rock-solid, Christian marriage that began in San
Francisco, California at the Glade Memorial on November 17, 1944.
Jewell always said that she chased Glen to the ocean and since he
couldn't swim and wasn't able to get any further away, she finally caught
him, and they got married. And so began their voyage in the sea of
married life - 67 years ago...
Glen served in the Merchant Marines during World War II in the Pacific,
and also the Atlantic, from South America to the Philippines and Japan. It
was during this time that he lost the tips of some of his fingers in a
shipboard accident but that minor glitch never slowed him down.
When they came back to Minnesota after the war, Glen began working at
the power plant and Jewell went to work at various places, including the
Munsingwear factory.
After a few years of settling back into civilian life, and their journey
together had begun, so did their family. Glen and Jewell were blessed
with the arrival of the first of their four children who were always at the
center of their lives.
Robert Lester was their firstborn, then two years later Beverly Avis
arrived. William Leigh and James Frank were born quite a few years after
Bob and Bev. As many families did in those days, they would all pile in the
car for countless vacations and meandering road trips to every tourist
destination in the USA.
After moving to Rochelle in 1962, Glen worked as the Power Plant
Engineer for Rochelle Municipal Utilities until 1982, when he retired. In
that span of twenty years, the family's cozy home on 11th Street was the
place for fellowship, food and fond, family memories.
Their favorite respite from the hustle and bustle of Rochelle city life was
the casual, rustic atmosphere of Woodhaven Lakes in Sublette, Illinois. It
was truly a relaxing haven that combined peaceful, idyllic surroundings
with towering trees that shared their space with numerous deer, birds and
many other critters.
The ever-present aroma of burning wood permeated the air. Smoke
always rose from the fire pit in the back yard, which made it the favorite
place to gather for young and old alike. Down the hill from the back yard,
hidden by the trees, was a creek that led to the lake, and along the way a
canoe was hidden in the brush.
Starting in 1972 with a trip to Germany, Glen and Jewell embarked on
many other far-ranging, worldwide trips, cruises and vacations, traveling
all over Europe and also up to Alaska and the Caribbean.
While awaiting the tickets for the next trip, Glen would be outside tending
his fruit tree orchard in the back yard, in the house tending the
grandchildren who went in one door and out the other, and tending his
faith with prayer, Bible reading and many secret good deeds.
When Glen and Jewell retired to Florida a few years ago, they chose a
lovely home on one of the many canals with huge, towering eucalyptus
trees bordering the back, and soaring palm trees in front making it truly
look like the "Florida house on the water" complete with an alligator
sunning himself on the banks of the water.
Glen and Jewell enjoyed their last years sitting on the front porch in the
warm Florida sun, watching the people and the cars go by – they’d finally
made it to Easy Street!
Glen was a God-fearing, Christian man with a quiet faith that was
steadfast and constant. He led by example rather than boast or brawn
and never had an enemy on the face of the earth.
Jewell was an equally God-fearing, Christian woman with not as quiet a
faith as Glen's, but just as steadfast and constant. She staunchly
defended her views and fiercely guarded her domain like a mother lioness.
They both inspired love, devotion and loyalty in their family and friends,
which is quite a legacy to leave your loved ones, and for that gift, we will
always be truly grateful and ever thankful for their influence.
They ended every telephone conversation with, "Love you." And they
were truly loved in return and will always be remembered fondly by their
far-flung family and many old and dear friends.
After Glen passed away, Jewell always said that although she was able to
cope as time went on, she seemed to miss him more and more. At first,
she was completely devastated by her loss and the grief was completely
overwhelming.
Grandma stayed with us, along with Ted and Vada, for a week after the
funeral while we wrote thank you cards and tried in vain to comfort her.
Three things stand out in my memory of that time almost nine years ago.
Grandpa's spirit came to visit me. Andrew and Jarrett were still alive. And
we had to celebrate her birthday (January 24, 1926), in spite of the fact
that she didn't care and didn't want to do anything.
She did laugh when I told her while I was getting the birthday cake at the
Jewel grocery store, I remarked, "this is a cake from Jewel to Jewell."
As the years went by and she had to confront various medical problems
along with traveling alone, she always knew she had the support and love
of her family. Right away, she joined a grief group and was able to
commiserate with other widows who lived nearby.
Of course, she was comforted by her faith and wonderfully supportive
group of church friends. We finally knew Grandma was doing better when
she joined the Red Hat Club. Other than the fact that she missed
Grandpa tremendously, she was able to bloom where she was planted.
We never know for sure when we're going to die, and we certainly didn't
anticipate her passing but there's a few things we can be happy about as
we remember them - she finally got her BIG wedding in 1994. And Jewell
was reunited with her beloved Glen on June 27, 2005.
God bless them. God bless all our other dear loved ones who are gone
but not forgotten. Forever in our hearts. ~djb
Jewell Avis Leigh and Glen Lester Burkholder before
their wedding on November 17, 1944
their wedding on November 17, 1944
Front: Glen, Jim, Bill, Jewell Back: Bob and Bev
The Burkholder family in Rochelle around 1965
The Burkholder family in Rochelle around 1965
Jarrett and Grandpa watching the fire at Woodhaven
Andrew and Grandma at Karen & Derek's Wedding
Jewell & Glen Burkholder - 50th Wedding Anniversary
On Easy Street - below: Andrew, Bob, Grandma,
Jarrett & Grandpa. (Donna is taking the photo)
Jarrett & Grandpa. (Donna is taking the photo)
