From: Raymond Kraftson [mailto:rhk@arianepartners.com]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 1:00 PM
You may remember that two years ago Mother and I had a long project involving finding and recording our favorite hymns. They include (really special ones are bolded):
How Firm a Foundation
Eternal Father Strong to Save
Immortal, Invisible
Once to Every Man and Nation
Lead On, O King EternalI Vow to Thee My Country (Gustav Holst – Britain’s Patriotic Hymn of the First World War - Mother LOVED the music - would be good for pre-service music)
Amazing Grace
O God Our Help in Ages Past
The Church’s One Foundation
God of Our Fathers
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Come Thou Almighty King
O for a Thousand Tongues
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
O Thank Thee Lord our God
O for the Beauty of the Earth
Lord and Father of Mankind
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
I Need Thee Every Hour
Battle Hymn of the Republic
This Is My Father’s World
The Doxology
Savior Like a Shepherd, Lead Us
Abide with Me
Fairest Lord Jesus (Mother and Grandmother Hallstrom)May Jesus Christ be Praised
O Worship the King
A Mighty Fortress is our God
It is Well with My SoulNow Thank We All our God
Not sure I got all the titles right. Also, she grew up with the Lutheran hymns and her love for them never waned.
This is one of the most important things I ever did with her. My tears listening to these while writing this would fill a bucket. Some of you have the CD I made of these.
Love,
Randy
Friday, August 21, 2009
if you had to summarize Elisabeth in a few words...
- Inquiring mind
- Interested in people
- Diligent Bible student
- Loving mother and grandmother
- Active
Add your own summary or examples of these using comments!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
email from grandson Josh Stone 8/15/09
From: Joshua Stone
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:01 PM
Hi Aunt Connie,
...the more I think about Grandmother the more I am aware of her legacy, that is, her husband and her children and her faith in the Lord and the faith of hers passed on to her children, passed on to me, which I hope to pass on to mine by way of the same means, that is, the grace of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. I can't escape how all of this culminates for Grandmother in her present peace. She ran the race and fought the fight, and is reaping only the beginning of her reward even as I type.
I often tell my son that he will get to see Uncle Tim when Jesus comes back. So now grandmother is added to the saints. Moreover, this is an opportunity to tell my son about Granddad, who he never knew. There is no flawless lineage, but I am so pleased and so grateful to God for letting me be in this very one.
In college I had a powerful flashback while listening to a Michael Card song about his grandfather--I've told Mom this story once or twice. The memory was of Granddad reading Psalm 121 to me in the basement of the house on Malin Road before I went to sleep that night (I recall him kneeling next to me, but who knows). "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth..." The Michael Card lyric went, "Granddad I wish you could be here, to tell me what to do/'cause I first saw the light of Christ in you." I recall experiencing some sort of thought along the lines of "He really believes this." And this was no small thing.
Its that sort of memory that I think of--where the light of Christ comes from--when I talk about Grandmother's legacy, and my extreme gratitude for being in it. The active grace of God is part of her legacy--no, it IS the legacy!
Much love,
Josh
note from her oldest grandson
From: Donald Kraftson
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:38 AM
Dear Aunt Connie
I am thankful that Grandmother is with the Lord and thankful for the wonderful life she led filling us with her beauty and strength.
Grandmother and Grandfather are the salt of the earth to me and a to live by.
Love,
Donald
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:38 AM
Dear Aunt Connie
I am thankful that Grandmother is with the Lord and thankful for the wonderful life she led filling us with her beauty and strength.
Grandmother and Grandfather are the salt of the earth to me and a to live by.
Love,
Donald
Elisabeth's Family
Harry Aaron Kraftson (born July 7, 1917 – died December 24, 1994)
married Elisabeth Jane Hallstrom (born November 20, 1915 - died August 15, 2009)
Elisabeth Jane Hallstrom was born in Lakewood Ohio on November 20, 1915, to Raymond Lester Hallstrom and Elsie Gertrude Breytspraak Hallstrom. She had one older brother, John Raymond Hallstrom, who was a rocket scientist on the Titan missile project.
Elisabeth, also known as 'Betsey' and later 'Betty', graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1934. She graduated from Rosemont College in 1938 with a degree in Biology. She married Harry on April 15, 1939. They lived in a variety of homes. As their family grew, they moved to 314 Cynwyd Rd. in Bala Cynwyd. In 1960 they moved to a house that Harry built, 357 Malin Rd. in Newtown Square, to be close to the Delaware County Christian School. They downsized to 5 Hunters Run in Newtown Square in the early '80's. They moved to Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community in 1992.
Key churches they attended include:
Church of the Covenant (Presbyterian) - Bala Cynwyd
Springton Lake Presbyterian Church - Newtown Square
Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church - Quarryville
Their children are:
Raymond (Randy) Harry Kraftson (Margo Knewstub) of Villanova. They have 4 children:
• Donald Kraftson (Ann) of NYC. They have 2 children, Brooke and Charlie. Donald works with his father in their own business.
• Meg Kelley (James), Baltimore works in public relations
• Beth Sikdar (Ian), Rose Tree, Delaware County teaches kindergarten
• Michele Griffen (Brian), Villanova
Judith Ann Kraftson, stillborn on March 19, 1942
Timothy Alan Kraftson (Nguyen Thi Sát, called Sát), Troy, Michigan
They have 3 children:
• Anna Elisabeth Kraftson, Chicago has a son, Kincade Kraftson-Hogue and teaches high school science in Naperville.
• Andrew Timothy Kraftson (Sonia Klauder) has a son, David and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Andrew is a fellow in endocrinology.
• Stephanie Kraftson - pre-med at U. of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Meredith Jane Stone (Ralph)- They live in Houston and have 4 children:
• Timothy Edward Stone – died in 2007. His widow is Kristen Murphy Stone who lives in Dearborn, MI and teaches first grade.
• Laurel Elisabeth Stevens (John) lives in Houston and has 2 children, Elisabeth and Henry.
• Joshua Stone (Sarah) lives in Houston and has 2 children, Timothy and Charlotte.
• Nathaniel Stone lives in Austin, Texas.
Constance (Connie) Elisabeth McDowell (Glenn) live in Conshohocken, PA and has 4 children:
• David Alastair Whitefield McDowell, living at home
• Shelby Victoria Faith McDowell, attending Philadelphia University.
• Anna Elisabeth McDowell, attending Philadelphia Biblical University.
• Andrei Benjamin McDowell, in high school
Claudia Damaris Brice (Dennis) lives in Harleysville, PA and has 4 children:
• Dennis Nathanael Aaron Brice (Ana Batista) live in Union, NJ and have a daughter, Ariana Evangeline.
• Mark Ashley Kraftson Brice (Sandy Smit) is attending U. of Delaware for graduate work in psychology.
• Abigail Joanna Rae Green (Mark) lives in Virginia Beach.
• Peter Ian Michael Aiden Brice is studying geology at Wheaton College
married Elisabeth Jane Hallstrom (born November 20, 1915 - died August 15, 2009)
Elisabeth Jane Hallstrom was born in Lakewood Ohio on November 20, 1915, to Raymond Lester Hallstrom and Elsie Gertrude Breytspraak Hallstrom. She had one older brother, John Raymond Hallstrom, who was a rocket scientist on the Titan missile project.
Elisabeth, also known as 'Betsey' and later 'Betty', graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1934. She graduated from Rosemont College in 1938 with a degree in Biology. She married Harry on April 15, 1939. They lived in a variety of homes. As their family grew, they moved to 314 Cynwyd Rd. in Bala Cynwyd. In 1960 they moved to a house that Harry built, 357 Malin Rd. in Newtown Square, to be close to the Delaware County Christian School. They downsized to 5 Hunters Run in Newtown Square in the early '80's. They moved to Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community in 1992.
Key churches they attended include:
Church of the Covenant (Presbyterian) - Bala Cynwyd
Springton Lake Presbyterian Church - Newtown Square
Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church - Quarryville
Their children are:
Raymond (Randy) Harry Kraftson (Margo Knewstub) of Villanova. They have 4 children:
• Donald Kraftson (Ann) of NYC. They have 2 children, Brooke and Charlie. Donald works with his father in their own business.
• Meg Kelley (James), Baltimore works in public relations
• Beth Sikdar (Ian), Rose Tree, Delaware County teaches kindergarten
• Michele Griffen (Brian), Villanova
Judith Ann Kraftson, stillborn on March 19, 1942
Timothy Alan Kraftson (Nguyen Thi Sát, called Sát), Troy, Michigan
They have 3 children:
• Anna Elisabeth Kraftson, Chicago has a son, Kincade Kraftson-Hogue and teaches high school science in Naperville.
• Andrew Timothy Kraftson (Sonia Klauder) has a son, David and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Andrew is a fellow in endocrinology.
• Stephanie Kraftson - pre-med at U. of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Meredith Jane Stone (Ralph)- They live in Houston and have 4 children:
• Timothy Edward Stone – died in 2007. His widow is Kristen Murphy Stone who lives in Dearborn, MI and teaches first grade.
• Laurel Elisabeth Stevens (John) lives in Houston and has 2 children, Elisabeth and Henry.
• Joshua Stone (Sarah) lives in Houston and has 2 children, Timothy and Charlotte.
• Nathaniel Stone lives in Austin, Texas.
Constance (Connie) Elisabeth McDowell (Glenn) live in Conshohocken, PA and has 4 children:
• David Alastair Whitefield McDowell, living at home
• Shelby Victoria Faith McDowell, attending Philadelphia University.
• Anna Elisabeth McDowell, attending Philadelphia Biblical University.
• Andrei Benjamin McDowell, in high school
Claudia Damaris Brice (Dennis) lives in Harleysville, PA and has 4 children:
• Dennis Nathanael Aaron Brice (Ana Batista) live in Union, NJ and have a daughter, Ariana Evangeline.
• Mark Ashley Kraftson Brice (Sandy Smit) is attending U. of Delaware for graduate work in psychology.
• Abigail Joanna Rae Green (Mark) lives in Virginia Beach.
• Peter Ian Michael Aiden Brice is studying geology at Wheaton College
Mother's last week by Connie McDowell
On Saturday night, August 8th, 2009, around 10:30pm, my mother, Elisabeth Kraftson, fell in her room in the Assisted Living section of Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community. Her leg gave out. She had been so frail, and growing weaker steadily over the past months. Thankfully she was wearing a call button around her neck so was able to alert the nearby nurse. The nurses called an ambulance which took her to Lancaster General Hospital. They discovered she’d had a hip fracture which could only be repaired by surgery, so she was admitted.
I drove to the hospital after being notified by Quarryville of ths situation, arriving about 2am. I was able to stay with Mom in her private hospital room. Mom looked so frail but she smiled so sweetly at me and was glad I was there.
An orthopedic surgeon arrived around 7am to see Mom to explain the surgery required to repair the fracture – 2 permanent screws to hold the bone together.
I stayed with her until around 3pm Sunday. We had a very sweet time together. Mother was so dear & precious. My brother Randy was able to stop by Quarryville in the morning and bring a few necessities for Mom. Claudia arrived home from a week in Orlando Sunday morning. She arrived at the hospital around 5pm and stayed with Mom round the clock until late Tuesday evening.
Sunday came and went, we kept waiting for Mom to be taken to surgery but it didn’t happen. All this time, our poor Mother, who weighs in the low 80’s, couldn’t eat or drink, and had to lie in one position, on her back. We could swab her mouth with water which we did often. Monday morning they didn’t call her to surgery and couldn’t provide an O.R. time. Around 1pm, Claudia (and Mother) were very concerned that nothing was scheduled. She went to the Hospital Administration office and explained the situation to a Patient Advocate. Thankfully, within about 10 minutes, Mother was taken to the OR.
I was so thankful for Claudia’s teamwork so I could attend an important annual customer meeting. And Claudia was very thankful that Tim and Sat were able to come out to relieve her. We all felt that spending time with Mom was a huge privilege, not a burden, and we were all sorry we couldn't be with her more.
Mom was very aware and ‘with it’ during the entire ordeal. She did say a few funny things while under the influence of strong pain medication. She told Claudia she was going to rob Peter to pay Paul. When Claudia asked, 'What can I do to help you, Mom?', she replied, 'Pay Paul!'
I visited Mom again Wednesday evening. I was able to feed her a little bit. I kissed her and held her hand and she fell asleep; I like to think that it helped her feel better just having my presence nearby.
My brother Tim & his wife Sat arrived around 8pm, so we were there about an hour together. Sat stayed in the room with Mom. Mother was discharged Thursday by ambulance to the convalescent (skilled nursing) unit at Quarryville. She was so frail and pathetic (in a sweet way). She was not strong enough to even ring for the nurse.
Tim and Sat have a particular knack for showing up at the right time and providing incredibly practical and helpful support to Mom which we appreciate so much. It was so wonderful that they supported her through the transition back to Quarryville and then through her transition from this life to the next.
Claudia & I visited her Thursday and Friday after work, and were there with Tim and Sat. Glenn came as well on Friday evening. We sang to Mother and cried and laughed with her. She could not eat or drink, or speak much, only whisper a few words and smile. But she was not in great pain and went in and out of consciousness. When she was awake she comprehended what was going on around her and responded. She would wake up for a couple of minutes then fade out for awhile.
Friday evening, Mother was delighted to see the newlyweds, Mark & Sandy Brice, for a brief visit around 9pm. She brightened up visibly and even managed to say a few words to them. It was especially poignant since she'd been unable to attend their wedding three weeks prior.
Saturday morning, as in the prior few days, Mother continued to fail fast. Her breathing was labored. Tim and Sat were with her during her last hours and cared lovingly for her with the help of the compassionate nurse, as Mother took her last breath around 10am. She died on the birthday of her youngest and beloved daughter Claudia.
Glenn, Shelby and I picked up my sister Meredith Stone and her husband Ralph who had quickly arranged the previous evening, to fly up from Houston. We arrived at Quarryville around 1:30pm. They were able to see Mother's body before it was taken away for burial. We were so comforted by being together with our siblings at this time.
Throughout Mother's last months of steady weakening, she has been sweet and dear, so glad to be with us and speak with us by phone, thankful and loving and brave. She persevered and showed the continued grace and peace of Jesus Christ. Especially in the last week, she was not anxious about her future, but lived ‘in the moment’, one day at a time.
She memorized this passage – Romans 11:33-36 not long ago and appreciated having it read to her a couple of times.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.
We rejoice that Mom’s sufferings have ended and that she is in the presence of her Savior! But oh how we’ll miss her.
I drove to the hospital after being notified by Quarryville of ths situation, arriving about 2am. I was able to stay with Mom in her private hospital room. Mom looked so frail but she smiled so sweetly at me and was glad I was there.
An orthopedic surgeon arrived around 7am to see Mom to explain the surgery required to repair the fracture – 2 permanent screws to hold the bone together.
I stayed with her until around 3pm Sunday. We had a very sweet time together. Mother was so dear & precious. My brother Randy was able to stop by Quarryville in the morning and bring a few necessities for Mom. Claudia arrived home from a week in Orlando Sunday morning. She arrived at the hospital around 5pm and stayed with Mom round the clock until late Tuesday evening.
Sunday came and went, we kept waiting for Mom to be taken to surgery but it didn’t happen. All this time, our poor Mother, who weighs in the low 80’s, couldn’t eat or drink, and had to lie in one position, on her back. We could swab her mouth with water which we did often. Monday morning they didn’t call her to surgery and couldn’t provide an O.R. time. Around 1pm, Claudia (and Mother) were very concerned that nothing was scheduled. She went to the Hospital Administration office and explained the situation to a Patient Advocate. Thankfully, within about 10 minutes, Mother was taken to the OR.
I was so thankful for Claudia’s teamwork so I could attend an important annual customer meeting. And Claudia was very thankful that Tim and Sat were able to come out to relieve her. We all felt that spending time with Mom was a huge privilege, not a burden, and we were all sorry we couldn't be with her more.
Mom was very aware and ‘with it’ during the entire ordeal. She did say a few funny things while under the influence of strong pain medication. She told Claudia she was going to rob Peter to pay Paul. When Claudia asked, 'What can I do to help you, Mom?', she replied, 'Pay Paul!'
I visited Mom again Wednesday evening. I was able to feed her a little bit. I kissed her and held her hand and she fell asleep; I like to think that it helped her feel better just having my presence nearby.
My brother Tim & his wife Sat arrived around 8pm, so we were there about an hour together. Sat stayed in the room with Mom. Mother was discharged Thursday by ambulance to the convalescent (skilled nursing) unit at Quarryville. She was so frail and pathetic (in a sweet way). She was not strong enough to even ring for the nurse.
Tim and Sat have a particular knack for showing up at the right time and providing incredibly practical and helpful support to Mom which we appreciate so much. It was so wonderful that they supported her through the transition back to Quarryville and then through her transition from this life to the next.
Claudia & I visited her Thursday and Friday after work, and were there with Tim and Sat. Glenn came as well on Friday evening. We sang to Mother and cried and laughed with her. She could not eat or drink, or speak much, only whisper a few words and smile. But she was not in great pain and went in and out of consciousness. When she was awake she comprehended what was going on around her and responded. She would wake up for a couple of minutes then fade out for awhile.
Friday evening, Mother was delighted to see the newlyweds, Mark & Sandy Brice, for a brief visit around 9pm. She brightened up visibly and even managed to say a few words to them. It was especially poignant since she'd been unable to attend their wedding three weeks prior.
Saturday morning, as in the prior few days, Mother continued to fail fast. Her breathing was labored. Tim and Sat were with her during her last hours and cared lovingly for her with the help of the compassionate nurse, as Mother took her last breath around 10am. She died on the birthday of her youngest and beloved daughter Claudia.
Glenn, Shelby and I picked up my sister Meredith Stone and her husband Ralph who had quickly arranged the previous evening, to fly up from Houston. We arrived at Quarryville around 1:30pm. They were able to see Mother's body before it was taken away for burial. We were so comforted by being together with our siblings at this time.
Throughout Mother's last months of steady weakening, she has been sweet and dear, so glad to be with us and speak with us by phone, thankful and loving and brave. She persevered and showed the continued grace and peace of Jesus Christ. Especially in the last week, she was not anxious about her future, but lived ‘in the moment’, one day at a time.
She memorized this passage – Romans 11:33-36 not long ago and appreciated having it read to her a couple of times.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.
We rejoice that Mom’s sufferings have ended and that she is in the presence of her Savior! But oh how we’ll miss her.
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