Rejoice, Record and Remember: Grandpa Littlewood's Funeral

“Even though our sons and our daughters may forget much of what they hear, they will never forget that which they feel. The emphasis that parents place upon things of life has a lasting effect upon their children….as a rule, the teaching that is done by exemplary living has a greater impact upon the lives of children than does any other form of teaching. One can preach a better sermon with his life than with his lips.”

--Elder ElRay Christiansen, former Assistant to the Twelve

I’m not sure where or how I got the above quote, but it has been a favorite of mine that has been taped to the inside of one of my kitchen cupboards for years. I have much improvement to make, but it is something I believe and strive to do. The quote, I feel, totally describes my Grandpa Littlewood. I can see it even more since his funeral, almost two weeks ago, April 23, 2015.

Grandpa’s funeral was wonderful. It was interesting to hear from others their perspective of Clarence Leo Littlewood. I found it touching to hear how he had blessed many lives through his quietness and example. I came away feeling even more grateful for this man and loving him even more for all of his goodness. Inside I had a quiet wish that I could have just a few more moments to talk with him about some of those events.

Because that's not possible, I'll make note of some of the awe-inspiring things said that impressed me – great things to rejoice in, to record for me and others, and always to remember about my Grandpa.

He never said much and when he did it was quietly spoken. He always had a big smile!

He was a member of the Richfield 4th ward for almost a century. At 12 years of age he became a member of the newly created Richfield 4th ward and stayed in the same ward until he moved to the Monroe Care Center in January 2014. That’s 85 years in the same ward!

Leo was the ward clerk for 7 different bishops. My cousin, Dan, pointed out that if he served with each bishop for 5-6 years that’s about 35-42 years. My aunt Janet mentioned that she never remembered him sitting with them in the congregation during Sacrament Meeting. At that time, the ward clerk sat up on the stand on the opposite side of the Sacrament table.

Grandpa was without guile. He was so kind and never talked about himself, but always listened to others. I can attest to that. Grandma always did most of the talking. It seemed like we never knew too much of his life. I think it was God’s will for Grandma to pass away first so that our family could have some years alone with Grandpa to learn about him and from him.

He was a shoe repairman by trade and owned the Richfield shoe shop that had been in the family for 3 generations.

Business envelope for the shoe shop

During the viewing the night before, it was said by many that came through the line how Grandpa fixed their boots and shoes, or recovered their boat seats, or motorcycle seats. At one of my last visits to the care center, one of the nurses told us that she heard a couple visiting with Grandpa who thanked him again for recovering one of their seats so that they could sit together as sweet hearts many years ago. That was one thing about Grandpa, with him and his talents we “never had a hole in the seat”. He could recover a chair, couch, or seats in the car like a champ! When Lance and I were getting ready to move to Kansas to go to law school, someone gave us an old, long couch and Grandpa recovered that for us in a dusty blue color. It was like new and so beautiful! Years later when we purchased a brand new couch, he recovered our gliding rocker seat to match the pillows of the couch. I also have heard that Grandpa recovered some of the seats in the Manti temple. All of his children and grandchildren have received one of his well-made, well-liked, unique picnic blankets that he sewed together from scraps of upholstery fabric.

Grandpa was always busy, always doing projects. He was very talented with leather work and tooling.

One of his grandchildren asked him what he didn't like about his job as a shoe repairman. His reply was, stinky feet!

Camping was something Grandma and Grandpa did a lot. Growing up I don't remember taking any “real” vacations. Our vacationing and get-a-ways were camping.

My cousin, Dan, shared a cute fishing story he had with my Grandpa at a cousin camp out at Fish Lake. Apparently all of the older cousins went fishing and since he was so young he wasn't allowed to go. This upset him and he was sad, and Grandpa noticed the lower lip hanging. Grandpa was not a fisherman (his dad was), but he had a desire to help make Danny happy. Grandpa took Dan and the two of them went fishing. Except, they did not have a fishing pole, so they got a stick. No fishing line either, but Grandpa had some thread. Grandpas used a safety pin as the fishing hook and attached some red naugahyde fabric as fish bait. They were set to go! Amazingly they caught a fish! As Dan related the story, he said the other cousins did not catch a fish that day, but he and Grandpa did. Just one of the examples of Grandpa always looking for a way to help others.

Grandpa loved the Gospel and he loved his family. I recall that he and Grandma made it a priority to be to family baby blessings, baptisms, and weddings. Those events and family were important to them.

Perry Gardner, Grandpa’s friend, spoke at the funeral and he shared that he would quite frequently stop by and visit and check on Grandpa. Many times they would bear testimony to each other and pray together during their visits.

Perry said Grandpa was a very learned man and lived a pure and honest life with his fellowmen. He shared a story about Jack Anderson who got his boot stuck in a tractor and came to the shoe shop on a day when Grandpa was extremely busy. Grandpa told jack he couldn't fix his boot right then so Jack asked if he could fix it himself. Jack did the repairs and when he was finished he wanted to pay Grandpa. Grandpa declined because he didn't fix the boot, Jack did. Another story was about Bill Tueller. As I recall the story, Bill had some really old, bad looking boots. He brought them in for Grandpa to fix, which Grandpa did. When Bill came back a few days later to get his boots, he didn’t recognize them because Grandpa had fixed them up and created something “new”.

Grandpa had a big smile, a twinkle in his eye, happy all of the time, and content with himself. He knew the Gospel and lived it.

Another story Perry shared was an experience Perry heard from his own dad, who was the bishop at the time. With Grandpa serving as the ward clerk, they worked until about midnight looking for “the Lord’s penny’. Earlier that day, as they were processing the Fast Offerings, things were not matching up, they were missing a penny. They looked and looked and finally found it on the floor behind a desk (I think). Grandpa was so excited! Grandpa was meticulous in his paperwork and record keeping.

Uncle Merril told about Grandpa’s mission. At the outbreak of World War II Grandpa was working in the Swiss mission home. He had the assignment to evacuate the elders through France to board ships back to America. Grandpa was one of the last missionaries to leave the country and went on to complete his mission in the North Central States Mission in Montana.

Leo and missionaries in the North Central States Mission at the Cardston Temple

It was said again that Grandpa was without guile. While he was not a “wealthy” man financially, he was able to manage what he had, and he and Grandma never had any debt. I believe they paid cash for their home. From Grandma’s personal history she writes: “We bought our home on July 5, 1944 for $2,000.00. It is the same location where we now live. We have remodeled and upgraded a couple of times and continue to do so to make it comfortable.”

Grandpa always got along well with people and never argued with others.

Merril shared an experience he had that changed his heart. Merril had moved away from home, was rebellious and chose not to live as he was taught at home. He became quite ill and had to return home to recover. His parents did not preach or lecture him, but by their love and example and the good feeling at home, Merril recognized the difference in how he was living his life and desired to change. Merril changed and soon after he went on a mission.

At the Monroe Care Center, Grandpa was a spiritual mentor. He served well there and gave many blessings. That was why his life was prolonged and one of his last assignments of things to do while on earth – to make friends and serve them there at the Care Center.

Towards the last few years of his life, Grandpa would tell Merril that he was “ready to die, but not today.”

Grandpa’s Bishop from the 4th ward stated that “Leo was a living sermon”. The Bishop said it was hard for Leo to move to the Care Center, but he did it. He wasn't happy about the change in his life. Grandpa, however, soon had a change of attitude and went to work serving others at the center. I recall Grandpa being upset that his driving privileges were taken from him and then he had to move out of his home. This was hard for him and he didn't like it. However, it wasn't too long after that he started telling his family how much he enjoyed being at the Care Center. This could be because he was around other people and not so lonely, having someone care for his basic needs, and maybe not having to worry about his home and upkeep. But most likely, the thing that brought him the most happiness was being able to serve and help others the best he could at the Care Center.

During his message, the Bishop shared scriptures from Alma 42:7-11; 2 Nephi 9:9; and verses from John 10 – “The works that I do in my father’s name….” The Bishop told the congregation that Grandpa believed, he didn't have to prove it, he lived it through his good works. He also made reference to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's most recent general conference message with a story about those without guile.

As others spoke, I remembered some other experiences that I don’t want to forget about my Grandpa. One was that he weekly drove the widows to the Manti Temple. He was doing this at 90+. Grandpa was also so proud of his last Church calling, which was to get the prayers for Sacrament Meeting. Instead of telephoning, because most people would not answer his phone call, he would just drive to their homes and ask them. He was meticulous in his record keeping of these assignments too. I recall about 2 years ago he showed me the list he used to keep track of who prayed and when, and whose turn it might be. Serving in the Lord's kingdom to the end and you're never too old to serve, is what I've learned from my grandpa's example.

I love my Grandpa! I am grateful to my Heavenly Father that I could be a part of the Leo Littlewood family. He is a remarkable man. The funeral services were wonderful and the day was beautiful to honor this magnificent man. The timing of his passing was a miracle for many in the LeAnn and Lew Wade family. I’ll have to save those thoughts for writing and recording another time. I was reminded again how much God is aware of us and knows us, He cares for us and it is evident in the tender mercies He blesses us with.

Finally, another well-liked quote in my kitchen cupboard is..

“Be patient in growing your family…. One of the joys of family life is building fond memories for our children to look back on after they have left home.” (Robert D. Hales, BYU Women’s Conference, April 30, 2004)

As my Grandpa has left his earthly “home” he leaves behind fond and happy memories for the rest of us to look back on. It makes living as a family a great joy and blessing. One day we'll be there, reunited together in our "heavenly home" with Grandpa and Grandma as they welcome us with open arms. [Listen to "We'll Be There", a song at this link, then do a search in the music section for "We'll Be There", by Conlon Bonner and Josie Scere. ]

Love you Grandpa!!!