Individual Details

Census (family)-shared

J H Tann Head Male 72 Iowa - Farmer, own farm
Jennie Tann Wife Female 63 Illinois - House work, private home
Robert Tann Son Male 42 Iowa - Laborer, farming
Robert L Tann Grandson Male 7 Iowa
Edward Tann Son Male 23 Iowa - Laborer, farming
Zelma Tann Daughter-in-law Female 20 Iowa
Yvonne Tann Granddaughter Female 2 Iowa

Burial

Today we laid my Grandma Bonnie to rest. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful celebration. Thank you so much for all of your messages, calls, texts, cards, flowers, memorials, and most importantly prayers.
Many have asked me to share my speech from the service today. I realize not everyone was able to attend and so here it is. By far one of the hardest speeches I've ever given.
Eulogy- Grandma Brown 5/31/18 
Remarks as prepared for delivery…. [by Joshua Wilson]
My name is Josh and I AM a self-diagnosed grandma’s boy. I’ve never tried to hide it and no one has ever doubted it. Most little boys want to grow up to be strong like their fathers or another male role model in their life. For me, I always wanted to be as strong as my mother and my grandmother. Two amazing women who went above and beyond to provide for their family, friends, and community.
When grandma’s passing became inevitable, I knew that I would never be able to deliver a eulogy for her by myself so I brought a couple lifelong friends to help me out. These two individuals are no strangers to anyone that knew me while I was growing up, and they certainly spent plenty of time with grandma as well.
I shouldn’t have to introduce them but for those who aren’t familiar this is Pongo and Predita from the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians which is without a doubt the greatest Disney movie of all time. Full disclosure these aren’t MY original pups. Those two went everywhere with me as a child up until they were tragically sold at a garage sale. That’s another story but let’s just say that 16-year-old Josh was devastated.
101 Dalmatians was very special to me growing up and so by default it was special to grandma as well. If one of her grandkids loved something, she loved it just as much. She probably watched the movie with me more than 100 times. We knew every line.
When we lost my mom in 2008, grandma and I were heartbroken like many. I don’t think it was any mistake that Disney just so happened to release 101 Dalmatians from their vault onto DVD that same year and even more surprisingly on March 4th, the day my mother was born. God works in mysterious ways. I still remember re-watching it that year with grandma. It was like no time had passed and helped us heal in a time of great sorrow.
Growing up, I’ve been able to draw many similarities between this animated feature and my life. Pongo and Predita remind me a lot of grandpa and grandma. The love they shared for each other and their pups, my grandparents shared for each other and their children and grandchildren. Despite some mischievous puppies, Pongo and Perdita always forgave and forgot. This is precisely how grandma was. She taught me at a young age about a thing called “unconditional love.” No matter how naughty you were…how big of a mistake you made…grandma would remind you that even though she was upset, she still loved you with all her heart. Grandma was so gentle that when she did get mad it was usually more humorous than it was frightening. She was the farthest thing from a Cruella DeVil. Grandma’s main method of punishment for a sassy grandchild was soap in the mouth, which is probably how I became one of the more bubbly grandchildren.
There are far more than 101 stories I could share with you today. Even a few that my grandma used to joke that she was worried I’d share someday at her funeral. Don’t worry grandma, I’m not going to tell those today. Well, unless someone offers me the right price during the luncheon. I know you’d understand.
What I will share with you today is very simple. No long stories just simple facts. Grandma and I literally spoke every day. She was my best friend. She was incredibly proud of her 3 children, Randy, Steve and Shelly. They brought her so much joy that no one else could…except for the 7 grandchildren that would soon follow. Sorry Uncle Randy and Steve but we are all just a lot better looking and much better behaved. Grandma was so proud of my cousin James for becoming a doctor. She was so proud of my cousin Erin first for surviving growing up with James, then becoming a CPA and getting married. She adored Alec and was so happy to see him married and move to Arizona to chase his dreams. The twins Kellen and Lauren delivered a double dose of joy and grandma always laughed that Jolie, the youngest of the bunch, was the first to get Aunt Maggie to allow a pet in their house.
Grandma taught me many valuable lessons in life most importantly she taught me that there is virtually nothing that a little chocolate can’t solve! Got a cold? Eat a Hershey. Feeling depressed? Grab a Snickers. Feeling overweight? A couple Russell Stover candies won’t hurt. At any given time, grandma’s kitchen had at least four different types of chocolate and it was usually hidden in the most obvious of hiding places.
Grandma also taught me that whoever came up with the quote “You can sleep when you’re dead,” was clearly out of their mind. Long afternoon naps are the best and if you get the chance try taking a morning nap too. She taught me the importance of faith. Making sure I never missed Sunday School. Pushing me to complete my confirmation and instilling in me a strong love of Christ. Without her doing so I would never have had the strength to endure the loss of my mom and many other struggles I’ve encountered in life.
Finally, Grandma taught me to give back. Whether volunteering, donating money to a charity, or buying Christmas presents for families in need over the holidays…grandma’s faith always led her to help those that needed it. As an only child I was used to getting whatever I wanted growing up and taking frequent trips to the toy store. It was grandma who opened my eyes to the reality that not all little boys and girls were as lucky as I was. I have tried my best to continue her spirit of giving and I pledge to continue to do so in her memory.
I know we are here to celebrate my grandma today but you can’t talk about grandma without mentioning my grandpa. They were inseparable. For the last 3 months, I’ve been fortunate enough to be by their side each and every day. I witnessed first-hand the deep love that this couple of 60 years shared for each other. My grandpa would often refer to our time at the Mayo Clinic as if we were stuck in the Bill Murray movie Groundhogs Day. Each day seemed to repeat itself. We spent more than 60 days living in Rochester. Grandpa…I know that we had little sleep, that emotions were high, and sometimes as hotel-mates we bickered a bit, but I am so proud to call you my grandpa. You were grandma’s rock. You remain my rock. When my mom was dying of cancer you were by my side the entire way. Thank you for letting me be by your side during grandma’s passing. I will cherish the last 3 months for the rest of my life.
In closing I leave these words for my grandmother: You were the sweetest woman in the world. You had beautiful eyes and a radiant smile which you passed on to my mother. You could cheer me up in seconds. You taught me more than you will ever know. I’m so grateful that I was with you when you took your final breath. To know that you went peacefully brings me great comfort. Although my heart is aching and life without you on earth will be so very difficult I am so happy that you are no longer in pain and that you are reunited in heaven with your beautiful daughter. As we used to always say: I love you all the way to the moon….and back! God Bless you!