Missy Wolgemuth Schrader’s Tribute

How many of you, as a child, were asked the question – “what do you want to be when you grow up?” If I change the question a bit, and if you asked me as a child, or if you ask me now as an adult, “WHO do you want to be LIKE when you grow up?” The answer to this question is an easy one. I want to be like my Grandma Gaye.

I have not had the joy of living near Gaye in my life, so the memories I have are not day-to-day life with her. My memories are brimming with handwritten notes and special visits and trips. The memories I have tucked in my heart take me back to being a little girl.

I see a beautiful, elegant and gentle grandma – a picture to my young eyes of a loving and selfless wife. I can see Gaye and Papa exchanging Christmas gifts, kissing and saying, “Oh Sweetheart” as Gaye gently stroked Papa’s face. I can see them walking hand in hand on an after dinner walk around our neighborhood.

Gaye was a picture, also, of a caring mom who celebrated her children for who they are – cheering for each of them as they found success and loving and encouraging them through difficulty. I saw this tender relationship as I watched my Daddy with his mom.

To me, Gaye was a loving, praying grandma who would throw her head back with joy and clap her hands when she would see me, tossing her glasses over her shoulder to wrap me in her strong arms without squishing her glasses! She would gasp with delight when she would hear my voice on the phone, “Oh Missy dear! I am so glad to hear your voice!” I think of birthday gifts I received from Gaye as I grew up – a handmade dress she had folded to fit into the tiniest box – with a note telling me she loved me and was praying for me. She would often write to me, “I’m proud of you – in the right way.” Gaye taught me to cook as we made things I can taste, even now…homemade applesauce, rhubarb sauce, homemade bread…She loved me and I knew it.

These pictures- a selfless wife, a celebratory mom, and a joyful grandma – impacted me. Watching Gaye made me want to be a wife, mom, and even grandma like she was.

She showed me, also, how she could so be successful in all her roles. I have such beautiful images of Gaye reciting scripture and singing hymns. These words of truth flowed from her. She memorized God’s word, reciting it before getting up each morning. She was so full of Christ and His word that she could be a godly wife, mom and grandma… From Gaye, I learned the secret. A woman of true beauty and grace loves the Lord and His word.

She wanted to pass this love for His word onto her children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. When I was 5 and Julie was nearly 2, our parents went out of town, so we stayed with Gaye and Papa. While we were there, Gaye had a project for us. We made a book of verses- one for every letter of the alphabet. We sat at Gaye’s kitchen table with construction paper, magazine pictures and glue, and Gaye taught us 26 scripture verses. Since then, Gaye taught her other grandchildren and great grand children these verses, too. She wanted us to be full of God’s word.

I would like to invite my cousins and our children who know these ABC verses to come to the steps at the front of the sanctuary. Remember that Gaye taught us by example how being full of His Holy Spirit gives us the strength to live a life that glorifies Him. Can’t you see why I want to be like her when I grow up?

Let’s say the verses together:

Grace Wolgemuth’s 26 Bible Verses

– Missy Schrader
Granddaughter