As many of you know, I was born 16/17 years after my siblings. Being the baby of the family had its perks—especially when it came to being my daddy’s little girl. I basically was raised as an only child, and was often jealous of my friends who had siblings living in the house with them — but to be clear — as I got older I was grateful I didn’t have to share my room with anyone.

Growing up as the daughter of a mechanic, dad wanted to be sure I could change a tire, check my oil, and even diagnose some car issues on my own.  Thanks to him, I know the difference between a Philips and a standard, what a channel lock is, and I even own my very own impact driver. And let’s be real, I own a lot of tools that I don’t even know what they do …

I don’t have a lot of memories from his shop, but I do remember how I hated going there because I thought it was dirty and stinky (I was always a sparkly, girly girl). I will forever have a strange nostalgia for the smell of automotive grease and the orange cleaner.

While Dad was a man of few words, but he was also the kind of guy who would always help out my friend with their car problems, and never charge them.

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When I was five, mom and dad bought a cabin up in Pequot Lakes, located on grass lake and across from the White Fish Chain. It was at the cabin that dad taught me how to bait a hook, remove a fish from my line, and even how to filet a fish, though don’t quiz me on that one (I was a girly girl, remember).

I basically learned how to drive on a golf cart and I really loved when he would let me drive the pontoon. I remember as a small kid being sooo bored when we went out trolling on the pontoon, but as I got older and started catching fish bigger than dad, it became a lot more fun.

Some of my fondest memories are up at the cabin, and I am sure Roy and Inez, Vince, Larry and Marlis, and Bill and Mona were all there to greet dad in heaven. And I can just hear Vince telling some fish tales. When I asked dad if he would like some of his ashes sprinkled up at the lake, he perked up and smiled and nodded his head YES. I later learned that Vince is sprinkled in the White Fish Chain, so I will be sure to put some in there as well so they can fish the lake together for eternity.

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Something I came to really love while growing up we would be taking road trips across the US … which is no doubt where MY love of the open road began.
Also — I was fortunate that I didn’t have to share a backseat, like my brother and sister did growing up.

Dad loved to stop at the quirky roadside attractions, as well the National Parks, and I am so glad mom and dad were able to round out their 50th state of Alaska together for their 50th anniversary.

Whenever we were traveling in the south dad would always get us a cold bottle of Dr. Pepper — remember when hey were glass bottles??  Also, back then, brands weren’t all over the country like they are now, they were more regional.

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Oh, and how could I forget his love for NASCAR? He was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan, while I rooted for Rusty Wallace (mainly because I liked his Miller Lite car). Dad would bring me back souvenirs from all the races he attended with his friend Mike, and I remember one time getting a personalized photo signed by Rusty himself. I thought that was SO cool, and I still have that framed photo. I’m a little jealous my brother got to go to a few races with dad, but it just never worked out that I could go to one with dad. We finally had a race in Iowa planned, and then my silly sister decided to get married on that day. (I still love you).

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While my dad wasn’t the most talkative guy, he showed me what it really meant to be there for someone. Whether it was snowplowing all of the neighbors driveways, fixing a friend’s car, or helping me get my RV ready for the road,  he always had everyone’s back. He had a quiet strength that spoke volumes.

I will miss him dearly, but I’ll carry all those life lessons and memories with me forever … and I will always be daddy’s little girl.