Thank you to all of my friends and readers who have been praying for my husband. It is with deep sorrow I share the news that Mahlon, my beloved husband of 39 years, was called home to the LORD on December 3, 2025, at Mayo Clinic while awaiting a heart transplant.
On Tuesday, November 25th, his heart had several "electrical storms" which resulted in 3 shocks from his defibrillator and 3 ambulance rides, ending up at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He was moved from a level 4 to a level 1 for a heart transplant. Unfortunately his body kept having setbacks which put him on an ECMO machine, ventilator, IVs and sedated. During his last 24 hours he had multiple organ failure. He did not get a donor heart, to our shock and sorrow.
We held his memorial service on December 13th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the church he pastored and loved for the past 11 years and had recently retired from. The officiant, sermon and Bible readings were done by three former Japan missionary colleagues/pastors. Our youngest daughter, Susanna, gave a wonderful eulogy. We are pictured below with Susanna at her graduation from Excel College in North Carolina in June, 2025.
The church was decorated beautifully for Christmas and many bouquets of flowers were sent. I appreciated every person who came, despite the windchill being well below 0 degrees Farenheit. It was a day we remembered Mahlon and honored God.
Photo taken on October 12, 2025, at Brand Farm. ⤵️
Grace and peace. ~Nancy
Sharing at the following quilt link parties: Wednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down, Off the Wall Friday, Finished Or Not Friday, Patchwork & Quilts, Oh Scrap, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings.
Nancy, Mahlon looks like such a dear sweet man. How wonderfully your church honored him, I love that banner. Your photos together are priceless - he looks so happy. We actually heard about the ECMO machine watching The Pitt (an excellent medical drama) last night - what an amazing procedure. I am so sorry you and your family are without him. I pray for you and think of you so often.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, sending you a big virtual hug!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful man you must have married! We will pray for the peace and comfort only God can give, but we pray, also, that He sends wonderful people to fill your life with help and comfort, too.
ReplyDeleteMahlon was wonderful. He was faithful. He was humble. I heard several individuals over the years tell him he was the most humble person they ever met, in both English and Japanese.
DeleteNancy, I am so sorry for your great loss.
ReplyDeleteOh Nancy, I am so very sorry for your loss here on earth, but thank you for the wonderful tribute to such a man, I can hear the Heavens singing for him. Many Hugs to you all
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences on your loss. Virtual hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I am so sorry for your loss. You wrote a beautiful tribute to your husband. I love that photo of the two of you at the pumpkin farm - it is a treasure. Sending love and hugs from your quilt community.
ReplyDeleteOh Nancy, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear husband. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Warm gentle hugs
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. What a dear man! This was such a lovely tribute to him and to your life together. Your photos together are so lovely. What a treasure they are. Sending you love and support from your Wednesday Wait Loss community. I will continue to pray for your life to be filled with loving, comforting friends and family.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences Nancy. I pray that God brings to mind memory wonderful memories that you two made together. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteNancy, it looks like you've had such a loving life with Mahlon - a truly special gift. I'm expressing condolences and sending you a virtual hug.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletethat is so sad Mahlon couldn't live long enough for a transplant. What a loss for you and your family. I'm so sorry and sad for your loss. He looks like he was a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Nancy. The Lord will hold you close during this hard grief. Mahlon truly lived a dear life of love and service. My heart is with you as you and your family find your way through.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words. We are truly relying on the Lord.
DeleteMahlon was a gift from God and that gift keeps giving in his family and the many people he touched during his life. I am so so so sorry for your loss...but so glad that I did get to meet him when I was in MN.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your beloved Husband, Nancy! Thank you so much for sharing! I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know that God is holding you in the palm of His Hand. May you know his comfort, encouragement, and provision! 🫂❤️
ReplyDeleteNancy, I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. He looks like a truly loving individual. I wish you and your family comfort.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words.
DeleteNancy, my deepest condolences for your loss. Prayers continue for your family at this time. May God grant you peace and serenity.
ReplyDeleteYour Mahlon looks like such a delightful man. I'm so sorry for your loss, Nancy. It is a sorrow to lose a husband and friend you love so much. Praying for blessings for you as you go on without him there with you by your side.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you as you grieve Mahlon. Thank you for sharing about him in this blog post.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I am so sorry to hear your sad news, yet the promise of the Babe sent so many years ago of an eternity of joy softens the sadness. You were blessed to have a wonderful life shared with the one you loved and you will continue to be blessed by those around you who care. God is good all the time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those words of faith. That is great encouragement for me.
DeleteDear Nancy, I am so sorry to hear this news. However, I did enjoy seeing the photos of you and your family. Your husband sounds like a precious man. May your memories bring you peace and I am happy you are relying on your Faith to get you through. Sending up prayer that you are given strength and comfort. Hugs, Jeanna
ReplyDeleteYou had a beautiful life together with many memories to hang onto. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this trying time. I am sure Mahlon is looking down on you and will continue to be your cheerleader.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute, Nancy, to Mahlon. You two enjoyed so many years together, ministered together both here and overseas, and raised a beautiful family. I know you will miss him, but I also know you will carry on in the coming days. I'm sorry I was unable to come to the funeral, but you have all been on my mind and I will continue to pray for you all.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting your blog followers know. You have given us so much joy and I hope we can send you some comfort back.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I have appreciated all my blog followers who were praying for Mahlon. Now I appreciate your words of comfort for me. (I don't have your email, so I'm replying here.)
DeleteMy deepest condolences for your loss. Losing a loved one is so difficult. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. What a wonderful man and how awesome so many people honored his life with you.--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your profound loss. May your memories of your husband sustain you in the coming days and years ahead.
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful life you've had together!! My prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you and sustain you till you two can be together again.
ReplyDeleteHugs. What a beautiful life you all. His memorial service is lovely. More hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a lovely memorial service. The people who came and sent condolences made it all the more special.
DeleteOh Nancy I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. It looks like it was a beautiful memorial service, I can only be by your side from afar, but I am. Warm and sincere hugs.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry to hear about your dear husband. Sending my condolences and a hug. Praying for peace and comfort for you and your family as you grieve and remember. Gail at the cozy quilter
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, I am so sorry. His memory will be a blessing to you and to all who loved and were loved by him.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. I hope memories will comfort you now and in the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteI am so very sorry of your loss. He seems like a wonderful guy and it looks like you had lots of good memories with him.
ReplyDeleteNancy, you’re in my prayers as you mourn. This was a lovely tribute to Mahlon. May you feel God’s presence and comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have been praying for you daily, as you emotionally and spiritually go through this difficult grieving process. I'm grateful you know our Lord, and that you will lean on Him. Mahlon's service looks beautiful - the banner, and Advent decorations make the sanctuary look its best. What a lovely man you married. May God give you His peace, and may you feel the blessings of this season. Hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your memories of Mahlon bring you comfort.
ReplyDeletePraying for peace for you and your family in this time of great loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meredith. I appreciate your prayers.
DeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss, Nancy. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are in my thoughts. Do take care. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to see this but I'm not sure why when you've kept us informed of his situation. I love how you called this In Memoriam of a Quilt Husband. He was a great man in his humbleness, his helping and abetting you and your quilting and the parishes he has served. It's never a great time to lose a spouse, but at this time it must be worse. I hope you have a family of friends and quilters to help you through these times. Hugs to you and prayers for your Mahlon.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences! Such wonderful photos you took recently will be comforts as you go forward along with all of the good memories.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss, Nancy. You made a wonderful life together and you have so many beautiful memories. Sending you lots of love, squishy hugs and peaceful thoughts.
ReplyDeletePrayers for comfort to you and your family. A life well lived for sure. Enjoy reading your quilt journey through your blog. Thanks, Iowa Rachel
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers and sweet comments, Rachel. I appreciate it so much.
DeleteThis is such a lovely tribute to Mahlon, Nancy. The photo with your daughter at graduation is beautiful and I love the photo with the two of you at the Pumpkin Patch. May God's Holy Spirit wrap you in His loving arms and carry you through this time of loss and grief. You have many wonderful memories to remind you of your time together. Mahlon sounds like a wonderful man of God. You know I have been, and will continue to pray for you and your family. Sending big hugs. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute with our blogging family.
ReplyDeleteMy thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time. But also prayers of celebration for your husband's new and restored life in Christ. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sheila, for your prayers and kind comments. Yes, Mahlon is in full health now and in the presence of Christ. That counts for a lot.
DeleteHi Nancy, I'm so sorry for your loss - it's so difficult to loose a loved one but he is still there for you, just not in the same realm. Take care of yourself and your family. Much love, Andrée
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you and your family! I know he must have spread so much love to his congregation and family. I am so glad you have your faith to know there is a greater purpose. But it does not take away from the hole that he has left for you, his partner and great love. Peace to you during the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, checking your blog to see your lovely work and than … first do not understand, but quickly realized what happened. I am so so sorry for you. All the others find the right words and I can only echo them. We lost my Dad and grandma years ago but miss them every day. So, you have to carry this big grief but may be it helps to read all these wonderful comments. The fotos are so lovely and he is not gone, he is only in another surrounding. He is sith you, every single minute. He or you as family trust in the Lord, and for sure ask, Lord why, why now? There will be no answer. Only love from all your community here, your neighbours, friends and family. It must be hard for your daughter as well to loose her Dad. I will light a candle and send a big big hug. My deepest condolence. Eva
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eva. Yes, your words mean a lot to me and help me cope with this great loss. He is with the LORD, and that is a great comfort. Hugs back.
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. As we know the Promise, he is no longer suffering but celebrating with the Lord... The healing process will be difficult, no doubt, but you will be held in my prayers along with my SIL who lost her husband in April. Christmas Blessings, Melva
ReplyDeleteI am just reading up on blog posts and am so sorry to hear about your heartbreak. My condolences for your loss. I am sending you a big virtual hug and strength to carry on through this tough time. xo
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your loss. A good husband is such a blessing, and lifs is never the same without them. I pray God will comfort you.
ReplyDelete