"...Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets and the moon sets, but they’re not gone...."

-- Rumi

These special people may have passed, but they live on in our hearts and memories. We know they are with us today, celebrating and honoring this union.

Rob is Nate's biological father, and his memory is a cherished part of Nate's life. Though they weren't always close, the time they did share is filled with fond memories, especially from the last years of Rob's life when they bonded over their deep love for music. Their shared, often eccentric, tastes created a unique connection that Nate will always hold dear. He knows Rob would be so happy to be here celebrating with us today, and Nate is grateful for the memories they made.

Although Morgan didn’t get to spend as much time with her Grandpa and Gramma Saxe because they lived on Lake Ida in Monticello during retirement, they still played an important role in her youth and she feels strong ties to her Saxe roots.

In fact, it was her Gramma and Grandpa Saxe that set root in Nordeast Minneapolis; not far from the venue. They owned rental properties around Nordeast and greater Minnesota, including one on the same block Morgan and her mom grew up on; a drive-in burger joint around the corner from where they lived; as well as a gas station down the street from that. Morgan's Grandpa was even a Nordeast fire chief! To this day, Nordeast is where Morgan feels most at home, thanks to her grandparents.

It was also her Gramma and Grandpa Saxe who helped teach her to work hard, remain curious, that women can do anything, to experiment, and invest in real estate. They would've loved Nate's curiosity, work ethic, and the way he treats Morgan. She misses them dearly.

Pictured:

1. Christmas at Lake Ida (their home)

2. Grandpa Saxe and Morgan with the first fish she caught - a fiesty Northern!

3. Gramma Saxe and Morgan

Carline, or as most of the family called her, Gubby, was Nate's grandma through Steve.

Gubby was one of the kindest and most loving human beings Nate ever had the pleasure of knowing. He thinks the way she treated people is the best example of how we should treat people: with kindness and gentleness. We both really wish she could still be here to see our big day. Nate loves and misses you, Gubby!

Living in the Twin Cities -- and in the house she bought from them as an adult, where Nate and Morgan live now -- Morgan got to see her Grandpa and Grandma Berg frequently and grew very close to them.

Growing up, her Grandpa Berg built and flew kites with her across the street. He made her a dollhouse and hand-cut every shingle and post. He debated politics with her often and fiercely. And he taught her about natural medicine. Above all, though, Morgan always felt like she was the apple of her Grandpa's eye.

Of all of her grandparents, Morgan got to spend the most time with her Grandma Berg. Her Grandma taught her how to spell while playing Scrabble. She taught her how to bake using lard (or at least she tried to, but unfortunately, Morgan wasn't much interested at the time). She brought her to MIA, the Guthrie, craft fairs, Orchestra Hall, and all of the other cultural events she could find. A stickler for manners, her Grandma Berg taught Morgan how to properly set a fine dining table. She also took her to the pool so she could practice swimming.

As an adult, Morgan got to know her Grandma Berg differently during her weekly visits to the assisted living building. She learned about her Grandma's hopes, fears, and storied past. About growing older (by the way, it's "not for sissies") and aging with grace. To this day, Morgan's Grandma Berg is still the classiest woman she knew. She misses both her Grandpa and Grandma Berg with all her heart.

Pictured:

1. Grandma Berg and Morgan, Mother's Day, Parkshore Senior Living

2. Grandpa Berg, Scott Berg, Morgan

3. Grandpa Berg, Morgan

4. Morgan on Christmas morning, after she'd opened the dollhouse Grandpa Berg made

Morgan comes from a matriarchy on both sides of her family. This is her paternal matriarchy - led by Cecil Berg, Veda Scothorn, and Veda's daughters Doris "Dode" Berg, Margaret "Peggy" Berg (Morgan's Grandma), Sally "Sal" Lee, and Mary Law. Morgan fortunately got to spend a lot of time with the second generation Scothorn clan growing up. She's grateful for the impact they made on her as a child and young adult.

Interesting fact: Two of the Scothorn sisters (Dode and Morgan's Grandma Peggy) married the two Berg brothers (Bob Sr. and Morgan's Grandpa Warren). So genetically, their decendants all are very similar and have a special relationship with each other.

Pictured:

1. The Scothorn Berg clan minus Sal's twin brother George, who died in WWII

2. The Scothorn sisters, left to right: Dode, Sal, Peg, and Mary. It's a favorite of Morgan's.

Veda was Morgan's paternal great grandma, and as such, Morgan didn't have much time with her before she passed. But hearing the stories about Veda makes her wished she had.

Veda deserves a place of honor here, if for no other reason than raising four strong, independent, and intelligent daughters during the Great Depression. Veda shaped the Scothorn side of the family in remarkable ways; and for that, Morgan owes her a debt of gratitude.

Pictured:

1. Veda and Morgan

2. Veda and her three surviving sons-in-law; left to right: Bob Berg Sr., John Law, and Warren Berg (Don Lee had already passed in 1974/75)

Morgan rarely got to see her Great Grandma Murphy, Lois's mom. But like Veda, she was a matriarch and deserves a place of honor here, if nothing else, for raising 12 resourceful and hard-working children during the Great Depression! Hazel laid a foundation for Morgan's maternal family and left some of her strength in Morgan - for that, Morgan is grateful.

Pictured:

1. Great Grandma Murphy at Lake Ida (Grandpa and Gramma Saxe's home)

2. Great, Great Grandparents, Rosa and Henry Groth, Great Grandma Murphy (the baby on Rosa's lap), Great Uncle Herb

Ross is the son of Nate's second cousin, Janelle, and her husband Paul.

Ross was a kind soul and very smart.

When Nate thinks of Ross, the first thing that comes to mind is his kind smile.

He is dearly missed and gone far too soon.