Tunda Anna

Memories of Anne Roesch Larson
Memorial Services
Aberdeen, South Dakota
September 12, 2003

By Melvin Roesch, Roscoe, South Dakota, Nephew

This is a very solemn occasion or event. But it's really a celebration of the life of a very compassionate lady, Tunda Anna. She was 14 when I was born, and the language at that time was German so we called her Tunda Anna. That never changed for some of us. She has always been very dear to all of us; in fact, she was our mentor, a very wise advisor.

Tunda Anna never had children of her own, but we were all so fortunate to be her children because she is the one we could always count on to be there when we needed support, comfort and guidance. Not only to our family, but a host of others who have benefited by knowing her.

A product of growing up during the depression, she experienced struggle and much pain in her life, but it never stopped her in sharing the load of others. She brought joy where sorrow once ruled, smiles to replace tears, and planted flowers of happiness in hearts where once the weeds of despair grew.

About a year ago she wrote me the last hand written letter; since then our communications were by telephone several times a week. In that letter in the last paragraph she stated, "I am so homesick for my husband Lars, and my brothers and sister that I can hardly bear it.”

Several days later when visiting her I questioned her about that statement. She replied, "But remember, those who are in the Lord never see each other for the last time." She smiled and her face beamed.

Over the last several years every time I went to see her, before I could ask, “How are you Tunda Anna?” she would beat me, “Well how are you feeling?” She was always more concerned about others than herself. Nearly 10 years ago the Doctor told family members that due to congestive heart failure she may only live another six months. She proved the doctors wrong. After every heart attack—and we quit counting—during recovery she would again smile and her eyes would beam and she would chuckle, "I'm a survivor."

For our family she was the link that kept all of us connected. The last of her generation in the Roesch family, she kept track of all the nephews and nieces as well as the great nephews and nieces and their offspring as well. She knew all the addresses, telephone numbers, sent cards for birthdays, anniversaries and whenever misfortune struck. Whenever we wanted to check on each other we would call Tunda Anna and she knew because we all reported to her. She kept all of us in her fold, always providing hope and encouragement.

Tunda Anna repeated many times "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I need." She knew the love of God, the wisdom of God and the power of God, and this gave her the peace of God which she radiated to all she came in contact with.

Tunda Anna's life is like a very good book, you get to the last chapter and you wish there was more. She was indeed very special and such an inspiration to all who knew her.

We all remember eating at her and Uncle Lars’ home. She was a fabulous cook. Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart may have been envious.

No one ever left her home hungry and after the main menu she would pick up the plates and say with a chuckle, "Keep your fork, for the best is yet to come."

Monday evening at 11:20 the best came, the reward she had waited for arrived and she smiled and said, "I'm coming home, I'm coming home."

Thank you, Tunda Anna, for those precious memories. They will last into perpetuity.

Fare well, may God bless.