A mother’s eternal legacy: Eulogy captures the essence of motherhood

The Ole Seagull’s wife of 62 years, Lois, was put to rest in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery on April 3, 2026, on what would have been her 88th birthday. At the Veterans Cemetery, the family only has about seven minutes to honor the departed, but what a departure it was for this very special Mother.

Her three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were there. The service started with her grandson and two granddaughters, from sons Thomas and Basil, singing “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” and ended with her granddaughter from daughter Mary and her great-granddaughters leading the singing of “Jesus Loves Me.”

In between, daughter Becky delivered the beautiful eulogy that follows. A eulogy that, while dedicated to one mother, embodies, to an Ole Seagull, the essence of what motherhood is and is shared here as a tribute to all mothers:

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’— John 11:25

“Today we gather to honor and remember a truly beautiful soul. As I stand here, I think about the wreath we created for her—every flower chosen with love, each one telling a piece of her story.

“The red, white and blue flowers remind us of her service as a Navy nurse, and the many stories she carried from that time—stories I will always treasure. The hummingbirds represent her gentle spirit and her deep love for those tiny, peaceful creatures she faithfully fed and watched with joy for so many years. The peach flowers reflect her favorite color, a soft reminder of her warmth and kindness. The butterflies symbolize her now—free, at peace and soaring. And the sunflowers remind us of her Kansas roots and the life that helped shape the incredible woman we knew.

“But more than anything, she will be remembered for her faith.

“Every morning, she began her day in prayer—lifting up her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her extended family and anyone in need. Her faith in God was unwavering. She didn’t just talk about faith—she lived it. She was part of her church’s prayer chain, always ready to listen, to comfort and to pray with and for others.

“She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and someone who made everyone feel heard and valued. She had a way of bringing peace into a room. She could be wonderfully silly at times, making us laugh, and she carried a smile and a positive spirit wherever she went.

“For me personally, I couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law. She was easy to talk to, full of wisdom, and she strengthened my own faith more than she probably ever knew. She taught me to trust in the Lord—especially during difficult times—to understand that challenges are not meant to harm us, but to draw us closer to Him and make us stronger.”

In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, mothers are a testimony to the truth of what Rudyard Kipling meant when he said, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”

Happy Mother’s Day!