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DeNile M.
Kuefler
Age:
42
City:
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Born:
March 16, 1962
Died:
July 31,
2004
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“You have made everything
beautiful in its time, for everything you do remains forever.” |
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March 16, 1962 –
July 31, 2004 |
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Mass of
Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for DeNile M. Kuefler, age
42, of St. Cloud, who died Saturday at her home surrounded by her
family. Reverend Greg Lieser will officiate. Entombment will be in
Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud.
Friends may call from 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, at the
Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud. The Fraternal Order of Eagles
Aerie 622 Auxiliary will pray at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening
followed by Parish Prayers at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on
Wednesday after 9:30 a.m. at the church.
DeNile was born on March 16, 1962 in St. Cloud, MN to Daniel
and Rosie (Winter) Gaida. She was a graduate of Apollo High School,
SCSU with a B.E.S., and Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs with a
degree in Medical Technology. She married Gary Kuefler on November
20, 1999 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
DeNile worked as a medical technologist in Colorado and
Minnesota and was employed by Merrill Corporation since 2003. She
was a member of St. Peter’s Parish and FOE 622 Auxiliary.
DeNile was a beautiful sweetheart, a loving and generous person
who always had time for family and friends. She enjoyed reading,
gardening, knitting, crocheting, biking, cross-country skiing, being
outdoors, baking and chocolate.
She will be remembered for her smile and laughter, her sense of
humor, her positive outlook through life’s challenges, and for being
a courageous fighter. Her appreciation of life’s blessings was an
inspiration to those who knew and loved her. DeNile will be missed
greatly by her family and friends.
DeNile is survived by her loving husband Gary, mother Rosie
Gaida and stepfather Ted Heinen of St. Cloud, her brothers and
sisters Mary Patrice (Kurt) Stickney of Billings, MT, Duane (Loyola)
Gaida, Karen (Bill) Storkamp of St. Joseph, Sue Berry, Dorene Gaida
(Stan Storkamp), Brian Gaida (Janet Fjordbak) of St. Cloud, and Mary
Carol (Mark) Pflipsen of Burtrum, her step sisters Marge (Billy)
Olson, Sheri Heinen and Gary’s family, including his parents Joe and
Bernice Kuefler of Sauk Centre. DeNile is also survived by many
nieces and nephews with whom she shared a special bond.
She was preceded in death by her father Daniel and her sister
Dawn. |
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In lieu of flowers, memorials are
preferred to Centra Care Health Foundation/Coborn Cancer Center
at 1406 -6th Avenue North, St. Cloud, MN 56303. |
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The Butterfly
The
night we found out DeNile’s cancer had returned, she talked with us
about what would happen if she didn’t survive – how would we know
she was okay?
DeNile said a butterfly would be her sign. Now a butterfly seemed
like such a generic choice. Butterflies are everywhere, all of the
time. How would we know that the butterfly we saw would be her sign?
But that’s what she chose, and none of us was going to argue with
her.
DeNile died on
Saturday, just an absolutely gorgeous sunny summer day. We were all
with her, one way or another, and after we had our time to say our
goodbyes to her, some of us went outside to be, as Karen said,
“Where DeNile is”.
Mom
was making a phone call and walked into the garage to talk. As she
went through the garage into the backyard, she called for Karen.
Karen went to see what she wanted, and we heard them both calling to
us, “A butterfly! It’s a butterfly! Look everyone!”
So
all of us who were outside went into the backyard where there was
this beautiful monarch, flying in and around the plants near the
garage. As we gathered there in a half circle, the butterfly began
to fly around and between us, circling the yard, DeNile’s much loved
raspberry plants, and her flowers. I’ve never seen a butterfly do
anything like that. It would come back to us and fly out into the
yard again and again. Someone went into the house to get Gary. As he
stepped out on the deck, the butterfly flew up to Gary and then all
around us again, circling and dipping. We watched in wonder and
delight as it fluttered through the yard, giving us all a chance to
see, to believe. Even the most skeptical among us knew that this was
remarkable and extraordinary behavior from a butterfly.
Eventually, the butterfly flew away leaving us to marvel at the
incredible experience. I think what a lovely and amazing gift that
was from DeNile. That she could be with us, and show us joy and
beauty from watching this butterfly - - so free, so alive. To know,
to feel, her spirit there among us, - - watching us, and letting us
know that she was wonderfully, marvelously happy.
After this amazing encounter Stan and I stayed behind in the
backyard. I wanted/needed to do one more thing. One of the times
DeNile was in the hospital she had asked Gary to put his arms out
and spin in a circle. When he asked why she answered, “Because you
can.” So there in her back yard, I put out my arms and spun in a
circle. For DeNile . . . because I could. Stan hugged me, and as we
stood there, we saw the monarch again. It was perched on a plant,
resting probably, after the glorious dance we had witnessed. As we
watched, it took wing and circled us one last time before leaving.
We’re so grateful DeNile, for your life, your love, your gifts.
-
Dorene Gaida
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07-31-2004 |
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TO MY WIFE DeNile
.
You were a wonderful wife & raspberry queen, she loved
raspberries.
.
I can not believe how strong you were as you went through
the cancer illness
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And how you accepted the fact that you would be dying in the
near future.
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I am so lucky to have waited so long to finally find you.
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Thanks for being my wife, and a wonderful wife, thou for not
long enough.
.
My mother Bernice, among others just loved you.
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Thanks for camping, biking, skiing walking ect. With me.
.
You were easy going but had drive. She never put herself
above me.
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You always let me agree with you before doing something,
whether it was decorating the house, planting flowers, or
buying something. It sometimes took some talking but never
begging.
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Thanks to the Merrill Corp. employees. You are unbelievable
nice and generous.
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Thanks to DeNile’s family for you’re help these past months.
Do not forget me when This is all done.
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And thanks you to all who helped and for being here today
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Some day may there be a cure for cancer.
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Until we meet again. I love you
.
DeNiles Husband
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Gary
Gary wrote this to DeNile after she died and he put it in
the coffin with her.
Copies were made and it was read at the wake on August 3rd.
2004 |
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