Daniel Ganzer

9:25:00 AM judyo53 0 Comments

Born October 31, 1897 Died January 13, 1983
Full name: Daniel Herman Ganzer (I never knew about the "Herman")

Wasn't he a cute baby? I always thought Grampa Ganzer (your Great Great Grandfather) was so opposite of Grandma Emmy Ganzer. She was petite and sweet and Grampa was a big guy who was a curmudgeon. Oh sure, I saw him laugh and smile, but that is not what comes to mind when I think of Grampa.

He loved golf. Whenever we'd go there for Sunday dinner we all had to watch golf. He was an avid golfer and golfed into his old age.

It wasn't fun driving with Grampa behind the wheel. If he felt someone was trying to pass him he would speed up so they couldn't, and he actually said, "Oh, you're trying to pass me, I'll show you!" He was left a widower with Grandma Emmy's passing and lived in his Blue Island house until he didn't pass his last driving test.

He then moved in with my Mom and Dad. They almost babied him, helping him get dressed and everything. It seemed like he started going downhill with the loss of his "wheels" and freedom. He started depending on them and I think he liked the pampering.

He hated greeting cards for holidays. He gruffly complained that it's just for the card companies to make money. A few years before he actually died, he would complain when he received gifts for his birthday or Christmas. He would say, "Why did you buy me anything, you know I"m going to die soon."

As much of a meany I thought he was, I was surprised to see the little memorial he set up in the corner of his dining room up for Grandma Emmy after she died. He had a photo or more, some candles and other stuff of her's on display. I was truly surprised at his display of feelings as I did not expect it of him.

After one Christmas and hearing his complaints about the Christmas gifts he received, I had the family over for New Year's dinner. For some reason something wasn't cooking right and Grampa said, "You could get served faster at McDonalds." Well, duh! Your mother, Renee, was running behind his back with balloons and popping them. Poor guy. I believe he passed the next day and people thought it was my cooking that killed him (I'm sure they were joking...). But, he did get to wear the shirt I bought him for Christmas!

I didn't cry at Grandma Emmy's funeral even though I loved her so much. She was suffering and it was time for her to go. I wasn't planning on crying at Grandpa Daniel's funeral as I never felt close to him. But then the minister read the most beautiful letter that Grandpa wrote a couple of weeks before he died. I don't remember it all, just the part where he thanked Mom and Dad very much for taking them into their home and taking care of him. I cried like a baby, realizing that underneath that gruff exterior this man had a tender heart after all.