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The Eicher family mourns a great loss

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 This is one of the hardest columns I have ever had to write, so please bear with me.

Our hearts are still heavy with pain as we mourn for our dear son-in-law Mose. Mose was a kind, respectful man and a loving husband of 4 1/2 years to our daughter Susan. He was a great father to our two little grandchildren Jennifer, 2, and Ryan, almost 18 months.

We ask God so many questions. So many whys, but we already know God makes no mistakes. It doesn’t make it any easier though, so we want to fully put our trust in Him and let Him lead the way.

Mose and Dan, his driver, were on their way to work on December 9. Mose was only minutes away from home when they were struck head-on by an oncoming car that was on the wrong side of the road. This happened on the highway around a curve. We do not know why this young 19-year-old girl was on the wrong side of the road. Once again, we ask why. We leave it in God’s hands and try to brace ourselves for the heartaches the future holds. Two young children will grow up without their father. A young widow of 24 will do her best to raise these little ones on her own. Jennifer was a daddy’s girl, and most days would stand by the window waiting for him to come home from work. Now she keeps wondering if Daddy went deer hunting and when he’ll be back.

Susan does so well in front of others to hide the pain she is going through. Bedtime is really hard. Mose always helped her get the children to sleep at night. He was a great father!

Mose lost the battle from all his injuries in the accident on December 14. He was never conscious, so Susan’s last memory was the hug and kiss she had from him before he walked out the door that morning. She said he always told her to be careful and safe and that he loved her and the children.

The funeral was held here in our pole barn and Mose was buried in the new graveyard just down the road from us. We always wondered who would be the first to be buried there. Little did we know how close to us it would be.

Dan’s widow Jodi and his sister Lisa were here yesterday visiting. Before we knew it, hours went by. It helps to talk of memories, which is all they have left now too.

Daughter Verena went home with Susan and the children. She helps Susan with the children and is a great support as well. We miss having Verena at home, but they come here often. If they stay here for the night Susan and the children sleep with Verena in her bedroom.

Daughter Elizabeth and Tim live only two miles from Susan so they go often as well. Our family goes to help and also Mose’s family. It’s good to have all this support. We appreciate all the prayers and help in any way that makes the burden easier to bear.

Since the accident our family had three birthdays which weren’t very happy. Daughter Verena turned 23 on December 10. Grandson Timothy (T.J.) turned 2 on December 17, and today is my husband Joe’s 52nd birthday. Happy birthday to all of them.

We do not know what the future holds but we know who holds it—God! His blessings be with all of you. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and treasure your family extra in this holiday.

Daughter Verena will make these cookies today with our grandchildren. They are our favorite cut-out cookie.

Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting:
1/3 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Stir in the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until a soft dough is formed. On a floured surface, roll dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out with cookie cutters and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.

Frosting: Cream shortening, vanilla, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Gradually add milk and the remaining powdered sugar, beating constantly. Add more powdered sugar for desired consistency. Add food coloring if you like. Spread frosting on cookies and decorate with sprinkles and chocolate chips if desired. Let frosting set before storing.

Substitute for sour cream: 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 3/4 cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter. Melt the butter; add lemon juice and milk and let set for 5 or more minutes.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available online. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

36 thoughts on “The Eicher family mourns a great loss”

  1. His last memory was of their love. Unconscious people still hear and feel. May the Lord be extra close to you all for the days ahead

  2. I am so sorry for you loss. It is so hard but as you say God is in charge and your son in law is enjoying the wonders that God prepared for him.

  3. My deepest sympathy goes to Susan, the children and your family. Please know you are in my prayers. May you feel God’s presence daily in your grief.

  4. My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. It is hard to understand why God chose to take one so young and with young children, but God’s ways are not our ways. Mose is in heaven with your mom Elizabeth Cobletz. May God embrace you and hold you all to His heart.

  5. Dear Lovina and family, you will all be in our prayers for many months to come. We know our good God is comforting your family and will hold you all close in the days to come. Praying He will bless, encourage and strengthen you all. Please know that many people are praying for you and our hearts go out to you and your dear family. ❤️

  6. I”m so sorry for the loss your daughter, grandchildren and the extended family has suffered. May his memory be a blessing and may he Rest In Peace in heaven watching over his loving wife, children and family. Wishing you strength, peace ,love and happiness for the new year.

  7. I continue to hold you all up in prayer to our Father for comfort & peace & strength in these very difficult & sad days.

  8. My heart feel the heaviness of your family’s loss. You have been constantly in my prayers. May God give you daily strength and comfort to endure these extremely difficult days. His presence is ever needed.

  10. I am so sorry for your loss, i know how you feel. Because I lost my dad and he was my best friend . made the holidays not happy ones!!!! God bless you all!!!!!

  11. We are just heartbroken for your family – may God give you strength and peace in the days ahead. We have been praying for you and will continue to lift you up!

  12. I am so sorry for your families loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I read your column every week and feel Close to your family just from reading your messages each week. My prayer is that God will hold you all close and comfort you.

  14. I am praying for your family. It is such a hard thing to bear up under. Many years ago I heard a pastor say,” When we cannot understand the mind of God, we must trust the heart of God.” May God bless and comfort you all.

  15. Lovina and family, So sorry about this loss and big change for your family. My heart feels sad as I imagine what your family is going through. Praise God for the hope of heaven!
    Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
    I Thessalonianss 4?13 & 14.

  16. Sometimes writing your thoughts down helps to get through a traumatic time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We as parents not only feel our grief, but that of our children. My heart and prayers are with you. Also many prayers for Sister Susan’s recovery.

  17. Prayers for family at this stressful time. Keep looking up to our Lord for peace & strength to carry on!

  18. How tragic!!! My condolences to all who no longer have their loved ones with them. How very difficult to understand and accept. God bless all of you, give you His peace and comfort during this extremely difficult time. ??❤️??

  19. oh my so very sorry for your loss. I will be praying for strength, peace and comfort.

  20. All good blessings and great Love to you and your entire family and others who know and love Mose and Susan. My heart knows and understands your very deep grief.

  21. Sometimes we want to question God and ask why but we know He is always right, on time and has a reason for what ever He allows to happen. I lost my husband and wanted to cry out to God why did you do this to me. I still wonder some days when I am to sad to think straight. I am so sorry for your families loss at such a young age. God will see you through this I am sure. Days do not get easier I think they just get different.

  22. My heart is heavy with sorrow for your family and your daughter! I became a widow a little over 2 1/2 years ago and it has been so hard. Thankfully your daughter has a lot of support! May God hold all of you in His loving arms and give you peace while walking this hard road of grief.

  24. Beautiful wrote! I’m so sorry for the lose of mose. I continue to pray for Susan and the children. I always pray for my aunt as well. I pray my uncle Dan is at piece. Still feels like this was yesterday. Your family is beautiful inside and out!

  25. I am so very sorry for your loss! I truly know how you feel, i lost my dad and he was my best friend! It sure didn’t make the holidays happy ones. God bless you and your family!!!

  27. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time. May God give you peace and strength as you continue on. Love to you and the entire Eicher family, and for Dan’s family too.

  28. Psalm 147:3
    “The Lord heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.”

    Your story touches me deeply and you will always be in my prayers. It reminds me of my own grief and the healing I never thought was possible at the time. But God makes all things possible. He will do the same for you and your family.

  29. Psalm 147:3
    “The Lord heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.”

    Your story brings back memories of my own grief and loss. At the time I thought healing would be impossible. But all things are possible with God and the passage of time.

  33. I am so so sorry for you great loss.
    God had his home ready for him. Take comfort in knowing he is with Our Lord now, no better place to be. We don’t know God’s plan for each of us but we do know and stand firm and confident in the fact that He has the best plan, even though we don’t understand it, and we do know He loves us more than we love our own. Hang onto your great faith and He will give you all the graces you need to get you and your family through this most difficult time.

  35. Mose watched over his family in this life; and I believe he watches over them still!
    This quote helped get me through the hardest times after my husband passed suddenly at age 46. No warning , no signs , massive heart attack, and he was gone. I had a 9 year old and a 16 year old at home plus an 18 year old who had just joined the Air Force.
    I had just lost my mother four months earlier.
    I had my father and my seven siblings and many friends to lean on . And lean on them , I did!
    After five years , I was doing well, and during a routine checkup I found out I had Cancer. The Dr suggested I ask for help from my family and friends. I did not have to ask! They were there for me! Six months of treatments and I am blessed to say I am still healthy . 23 years later.
    I pray that these two families also have the love and support of their family, their friends and their neighbors!
    When my youngest son was 18, I remarried.
    I am blessed to have a good man who loves my children and grandchildren as much as I do! His two sons are in my heart as well!
    I just want these young ladies to know there is hope, you will never forget your first husbands,
    but you will be happy again . I pray for you to have strength and healing. Take one day at a time and treasure your memories. There will always be a place in your heart for your husbands, but there can also be room for a new love, and a new life, Sincerely,

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