May I Tell You a Story?

Still Keeping and Giving at 102

This sounds a bit crazy, but Grandma Frieda is known as someone who gives everything away, and also as a person who keeps everything! Frieda Tanner was born 102 years ago in Greeley, Colorado. Her husband, “May I Tell Lew, is only 96. “One of my high school teachers You a Story?” was a Seventh-day Adventist,” she remembers. “I actually lived with them

BY DICK DUERKSEN for a while and cleaned house for them. Th ey were very kind and deepened my understanding of God and introduced me to Adventism. My parents didn’t believe that it was necessary for girls to go to school past eighth grade, so I had to plead to go to high school. After graduation the

Adventist teacher convinced them it would be OK for me to go to Madison College in Tennessee to take nursing. I was baptized the summer after high school, the only one of my Lutheran family to become a

Seventh-day Adventist.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, a rarity at the time,

Frieda moved to Lynwood, California, to help her widowed sister care for her children.

* * *

In 1908 Grandma Frieda’s parents had immigrated from Russia to Colorado, where they joined other German Russians as farmers. Frieda remembers all the hard work. “I spent a lot of time in the summer thinning beets and getting sunburned. I had 11 brothers and sisters. Th ree died as children, but the rest grew up and spread out to other states.” Th e family has maintained a close family connection, and cousins have gathered yearly for more than 30 years.

Grandma Frieda’s family blessed her with a deep love for children. With her own children she practiced acceptance and love. As the children grew, she and Grandpa modeled a supportive and noncritical atmosphere about religion and politics. Central, always, was loving, “as God loves.”

“We can talk all kinds of theology,” Grandma says, “but if we do not have a central core of love, it’s just empty words.”

When Grandma Frieda talks about her husband, Lew, she smiles at him or reaches out and touches his hand. “When I met Lew, I really liked him. Th e fi rst time he kissed me, he asked if it was nice, and I told him it would have been better if he didn’t smoke,” she laughs. Th at was the end of the cigarettes and the beginning of a 68-year marriage.

Lew and Frieda have two daughters, Carol and Jeanne. “And a houseful of children and grandchildren,” says Grandpa Lew.

* * *

In the 1950s, while volunteering in the children’s divisions at the White Memorial church in Los Angeles, Frieda discovered Bible Story felts—plain drawings of Bible characters, animals, and other nature subjects printed on large sheets of felt. Every drawing needed to be colored and cut out of the sheet, then assembled into sets to tell Bible stories. Frieda immediately saw how valuable

these felts would be to people who were telling Bible stories to children around the world. She decided to do all she could to get the felts prepared and distributed.

“Kids have always loved them,” she proclaims. “They’re fascinated with the felts. They love how they feel, how they look, how they stick on the board. They play with them, put them up on felt boards, and tell each other the Bible stories. This is how children can learn about Jesus.”

For years anyone coming through the door was handed a pile of felts, coloring pens, and a pair of scissors. Everyone became part of Frieda’s army of cutters and colorers. It was a rite of passage for the boys wanting to date the Tanner daughters to sit at the dining room table and cut and color felts.

“People around the world learned about us, and they would write and request material for the children,” Grandma Frieda tells the story. “Then we’d purchase the materials and get to work. We were self-supporting, dependent upon donations, eager to help children learn about Jesus.”

The work changed when someone began making full-colored felts. Then Frieda joined Faith Adventures, a group of Adventist stalwarts from the White Memorial church—evangelistic and tireless to the core—who began purchasing sets of brightly colored felts, packaging them, and sending them all over the world. Frieda’s family, and an even larger group of friends, were now spending hundreds of hours at the dining room table putting everything together, talking about the stories, about God, about love, about life.

“Our home was a safe place,” says daughter Jeanne. “My parents weren’t judgmental, just open and loving. They had a penchant for entertaining and made sure we had a full table for Sabbath dinners. That table was a safe place for open discussions, where everyone could share without fear. That’s where my folks taught us to listen and respect others; where we learned how to deal with the hard issues in life.” * * *

Grandma Frieda’s Bible is always nearby, with The Desire of Ages right beside it. Both are well read. Open any page and you’ll see notes she’s written in the margins, places she’s underlined in red or green or blue, words that point to a Bible story she wants to share.

“It’s easy to use felts to show God’s love in the simple Bible stories, but it’s equally important to find God’s love in the really hard stories. The simple stories give you a basis for evaluating God’s love, a way to approach the world. But if you stop there, then when you hit a hard point in life, you’ll not have a solid way to investigate it. We’ve got to look deeply at the harder Bible stories, the violent tales, stories about women, even some of the sayings of Jesus that are hard to unpack. Understanding how God loves throughout all of Scripture will give us the skills to know how to respond to the tough challenges,” says Jeanne. “My parents gave me this foundation, for which I am grateful.”

Through the years thank-you letters and cards have come in from scores of countries. Most have said, “Thank you for remembering the children.” They’ve come from Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, India, from everywhere! Grandma Frieda kept every one of them, until she had boxes and boxes filled with “thank-you” cards.

“I’m an old lady now, but it’s still a thrilling thing to know that Jesus really loves us,” Grandma says as she sorts the cards. Then she smiles, remembering how much she has enjoyed giving things away.

Publisher

The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher.

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E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States.

Vol. 16, No. 2

Dick Duerksen, a pastor and storyteller, lives in Portland, Oregon, United States.

Obituaries

AXTHELM, Hans Juergen, 24.6.1942 in Leipzig, Germany; died 12.11.20 in Mooroolbark, Vic. On 15.6.09 he married Myra. He was predeceased by his nephew Nathan. Hans is survived by his wife (Mooroolbark); daughters, Susan and Clinton (Don Valley), Rhonda (Sydney, NSW), Melinda and Ben (Geelong, Vic) and Jessica (Mooroolbark); sons, Joshua and Mark (Mooroolbark); and four granddaughters, Bonita, Sharleen, Kerilea and Chelsea; brother, Reinheart and wife, Gisele (Lilydale); niece, Karen and family. Hans was a man with courage and ideas for his business, called “HANSA”, where he produced many realistic looking animals. Hans was also a man who loved and trusted God and his family whom he cared for. Myra and the family received many comforting words both from his many distributors from around the world and his church in the Philippines.

Morrie Krieg

BRINE, Rosalie Mildred (nee Tavender), born 19.6.1931 in Naracoorte, South Australia; died 11.9.20 in Avondale House, Cooranbong, NSW. On 15.5.1957 she married Douglas who predeceased her in 2015. Rosalie is survived by her daughter, Helen (Sydney, NSW); son, David (Naracoorte, SA); and granddaughters, Ita-Marie and Melanie. Rosalie was a gentle and quiet lady who served the Lord faithfully throughout her life. She had a passion for cooking and gardening and loved to share with others. A quiet achiever, Rosalie was a well-respected member in her church and local community and had a deep love for her Lord. Her faith was unwavering and even when she faced difficulties in life she never doubted that God was by her side.

Rangi Eiao DIXON, Laurence, born 2.1.1930; died 24.11.20 in Gosford, NSW. On 8.7.1948 he married Betty. He is survived by his wife (Tumbi Umbi); sons, Paul (Tumbi Umbi) and Michael (Wamberal); daughters, Helen and Susan (both of Tumbi Umbi); and their spouses; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. He was senior elder of Erina church for 45 years. A capable leader and gifted speaker, Laurie’s positive approach and natural wisdom endeared him to many people. His life revolved around his extended family. Laurie lived his faith and was a strong witness within his work community and the Rotary organisation. He awaits the resurrection in the Avondale Cemetery. John Hammond

EMERSON, Wendy Mara (nee Sandle), born 17.1.1938; died 21.11.20 in Christchurch, NZ. On 16.1.1960 she married Cedric, who predeceased her in 1993. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Keith Caukwell in 2018. She is survived by her sons, Adrian, Martin, Tim and Jessica (all of Christchurch) and Jamie (Takaka); daughter, Julie Caukwell (Christchurch); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Wendy was a long-time member of Aranui church. Over 57 years she held many positons, some concurrently. She was an elder and Sabbath school superintendant. She was church organist and taught children’s Sabbath school to several generations. With her husband, she ran many successful VBS programs. She also taught class music at the Christchurch Adventist School until she retired.

Jesel Royokada

HUGHEY, Ronald Albert Bruce, born 7.6.1951 in Papanui, NZ; died 5.12.20 in Balranald, NSW. He was married to Robyn Hilton. Ron is survived by daughters, Lisa Owczarek, (Perth, WA) and ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adventist Media, Wahroonga, NSW Adventist Media is looking for an enthusiastic associate editor to join our Communications, News and Editorial team. A key part of this role will be proofreading print and online content for our various platforms, so excellent spelling and grammar skills are essential. The successful applicant will work closely with our editors, and will need to be well organised, have meticulous attention to detail, be flexible and have the ability to work in a team. The full-time position is based at Adventist Media in Wahroonga, NSW. For more information, interested parties should request a copy of the full Job Description (JD) by emailing <corpserv@adventistmedia.org.au>. To apply, please email a cover letter addressing the requirements, skills, knowledge and experience section of the JD, along with your CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your Adventist church pastor to <traceybridcutt@adventistmedia.org.au>. Overseas applicants should ensure they can satisfy Australian working visa requirements before applying for this position. Adventist Media reserves the right to fill this vacancy at its discretion. Applications close February 15, 2021.

Rachael Seymour (Adelaide, SA). After marrying Robyn, he moved to Australia and became an Adventist for the rest of his days. He spent 10 years being involved in Pathfinders at Para Vista church in Adelaide. He was the kindest and best of men. He would help anyone in need and served his God and family faithfully. He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.

Len Hennig

WESLEY, William John, born 24.11.1961 in Darwin, NT; died 14.8.20 in Perth, WA. He is survived by his mother, Heather Alley (Perth); children, Talia (Adelaide, SA), Jarmila (Adelaide), Madison Rickson (Perth, WA) and Jack (Adelaide, SA); and siblings, Colin Shurecy (Darwin, NT), Terry Kessaris (Perth, WA), Robyn Hardy (Gin Gin), Linda Alley (Humpty Doo, NT), Bradley Alley (Perth, WA), Baden Alley (Pannawonica) and Kingsley Alley (Darwin, NT). Will was brought up going to an Adventist church and wanted to be a preacher. However he went away from the Lord until 2020 when he made a very strong commitment. He desperately wanted to be baptised but due to his throat cancer he was unable so Pastor John Beck welcomed him as a member on profession of faith in a special ceremony. In his final months he witnessed to family, friends and hospital workers that he had found Jesus as his Saviour and Lord. John Beck, Don Fehlberg

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NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE 27TH CONSTITUENCY MEETING. Notice is hereby given of the revised date for the 27th constituency meeting of the Northern Australian Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be held at the Riverside Convention Centre, 55 Leopold Street, Aitkenvale, Townsville, Qld, March 20-21, 2021. These dates may be subject to postponement should circumstances require due to COVID-19. Registration will be required prior to the commencement time. The business of the constituency meeting will be as provided in the constitution, including proposed changes to the constitution, reports and financial statements for the quadrennial period 2016-2019 inclusive. Executive officers, executive committee and other committees will be elected for the next quadrennium.

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