Stephanie Willa Roller Bruner

  This is a picture from the Celebration of Life. We tried to get a picture of all the Redwood Falls associated women that were still around when we took this picture. The second one is of us doing our jazz hands in honor of Stephanie.

Hi Stephanie, I do not remember this picture exactly, but what a couple we were! I am pretty sure you talked me into it (for about 1 minute) because usually the crazy moments were provoked by you. I know you know Aaron and Carol are caring for you kiddos and doing a nice job of that. You would be happy to know they are well taken care of...miss you so much, mi angelita....

Spring Break 1988: Stephanie, you were working as a nanny for Marna and Andy (kids Elizabeth and Eric), and Anja (German exchange partner) and I visited you for Spring Break.  You wouldn't let us stay with you during the day while you had to work, rather you generously forced me to drive your Ford Escort into San Francisco each day--you always were serious about promoting adventure.  My friend Claude had only recently showed me how to drive a manual transmission, so Anja had the (bad) luck of witnessing me really learning how to drive on the hills of San Fran.  I think she and I both screamed a lot as I popped your trusty car into first gear after being stopped uphill at a red light. 

One night that week we (you, me, Anja and Claude) went to a comedy club in San Fran, and we politely laughed at the three to four comedians who were the headliners, as we drank our "three- drink-minimum" of soda (we were under 21).  And after the last listed comedian, a man started walking around with a gas mask on--trying to talk really loudly.  It turned out to be Robin Williams, and he entertained the small club for the next 45 minutes.  We were all amazed and thrilled.  I even got to ask  him a direct question because you encouraged me.   (Of course he made fun of my question... but I didn't care by then.)

It was a week of intense experiences--of course always centered on laughter and fun.  Thank you for opening up so many different worlds to me.

This picture was taken when Alethea was almost two months.  She was sleeping or at least happy with her eyes closed so it was the perfect time to get the first picture of all six of you.  I had you Stephanie on the right side of the back stool.  You fell and started to cry and I quickly picked you up and gave you the hurry up and quit crying and smile comfort.  I wanted to get that picture while the getting was good.  The tears somewhat show in your eyes and you are biting your lips but overall it is a good picture.  As an adult you told me that you fell on purpose.  You wanted to be placed by Alethea and I must have granted that wish to help you to stop crying.  I was so surprised that you had that ability of light deceit in you and said that at the time you shared.  Of course we had to chuckle about how you managed to get your wish even if it took pain   I love this picture, you are all so cute.  I had similar outfits on you three girls.  Since you were each a year apart, it was fun to occasionally do that, not identical, just similar.  I was able to order those outfits from JC Penney in three different colors.  I also really liked the outfits so it was a win win and they were your dress up outfits until they started getting stained.  Cari looks like the little pixie I always thought her to be.  And those fat little cheeks on Aaron and his curly hair just beg everybody to hug him.  Ramona looks so happy and Chris looks a bit shy.  I loved being mom to all of you but mostly I saw you as little people whom I had the privilege to get to live with and know for x number of years.  I will get to know you in a special way now and I continue to have the others to share the physical life.  I love all of you.<3

You always wanted the kids to call us Opa and Oma because you had fun with your German language.  They pretty much wound up with the usual Grandma and Grandpa though when actually using a title.  I will remind them sometimes, maybe it will catch on.  Anyway this picture is showing Ellie with Opa in Grand Forks ND when we were there for Ray and Yvonne's 50th wedding anniversary.   That does have me thinking of that day but mostly when I see the picture I am reminded of Ellie and Ernie one day when Ernie had gone too far with his teasing.  "You have got to go back to second grade and learn some manners".  Her adamant look with eyes flaring gave me chuckles then and whenever I think of it.