From cold, snowy Iowa

Settling in this morning, after a Wee Ski technology induced hiatus. 48 hours later, and the blackberry is still missing. :)

So glad to be here. Our flights were right on time (with a 20 minute de-icing of the plane in Minneapolis) and we made it to Grandpa's wake last night. Thomas was my traveling all-star and he did two flights and an hour and a half in the car without any complaint. We flew to Des Moines with the very tall family of an Iowa State cyclone basketball player, and we all fit on the tiny plane. :) Thomas loved them.

Grandpa's wake last night was beautiful - he looked so peaceful after years of fighting emphysema. It was so wonderful to see Grandma at peace. That made my heart the happiest.

And there's a chance that there was a very tacky granddaughter taking photos at the wake so her mom could share in them when they got home. I'm not sure who it was, but she had a very cute little boy with her. :)

We have the funeral today at 2 pm, and a luncheon afterwards. Grandpa will then be cremated and interred when Mom is able to fly home to Iowa.

There are some really sweet stories about him that I hope to share once we're home, especially about his service in World War II.

So grateful for family time.

Confidential to Doc - We miss you, Jonathan, and I hope you give me lots of bonus points for not calling you when I woke up this morning. :) That two hour time change and all.

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From the Des Moines Register

JAMES F. BOTTENFIELD

West Des Moines

James Franklin Bottenfield, 87, passed from this life on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, at West Des Moines United Methodist Church of which he was a member. Cremation rites will follow the services on Saturday. A private burial of the cremated remains will take place in the spring of 2010 at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

James was born on October 30, 1922 in Ottumwa, Iowa to William Franklin and Lena R. (Hemsley) Bottenfield. He was a graduate of Drake University, where he earned a Master's degree in Education. James was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army Air Corps, as a pilot during the European Theater. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged in 1945. On August 3, 1945, James married Kathleen Marilyn "Kay" Moorehead in Des Moines. He was employed for many years in the Education field as an educator and a superintendent. James retired as a consultant with the Iowa Department of Public Instruction. He was a member of the Gnemeth Masonic Lodge #577 in West Des Moines and had served one - four year term on the West Des Moines City Council.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 65 years, Kay Bottenfield of West Des Moines; two daughters, Karol (Tom) Mauss of Gig Harbor, WA and Darcy (Tom) Miller of Solon, IA; one son, Jim (Deanne) Bottenfield of Urbandale; seven grandchildren, Shelley (Jonathan) Sprouffske, Michael (Kristine) Mauss, Tiffany (Travis) Dooley, Tara (Oliver) Miller, Jessica (James) Biehn, Nick Bottenfield and Justin Bottenfield; seven great- grandchildren, Avila Mauss, Thomas Sprouffske, Alexis Miller, J.J. Dooley, Quinn Bottenfield, Milo Bottenfield-Biehn, and Jonas Bottenfield- Biehn; and several nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and three sisters.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 22, at Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel in Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to either West Des Moines United Methodist Church or Mercy Hospice in Johnston.