Growing up on a gravel road on the Santiago-Becker town line was a simpler time. Across the road from my parents farm lived the Whitcomb family. They lived in a bi-level, split entry home and we thought that was pretty neat since we lived in a small one story Sears and Roebuck home! We were envious of their indoor dogs and cats and their horses. We only had one geriatric horse. Depsite begging dad for a horse, he was not interested in investing in a “hay burner”.  Mom recently told us “We had plenty of wildcats in the house without needing any dogs or cats in the house!”

 

Cynthia Lou Adelman was born October 1, 1962 in Litchfield, M. Her family moved to Becker in the early 1970’s.  The Whitcombs were wonderful neighbors. We spent a great deal of time with Cindy and her family. Cindy’s parents (Bill and Darlene), Veronica, David, Cindy and Mark were a big part of our lives growing up, as our families spent a great deal of time together.

 

Cindy’s dad, Bill, now spends winters in Texas and summers in Minnesota (between Becker and Lake of the Woods where Cindy’s sister Veronica lives).

 

Cindy and her husband Tim live less than a mile from my moms farm. Cindy’s brother David still lives on my moms gravel road. David reminisced earlier this week about growing up with Cindy. He recalled how he and his siblings would wait with anticipation until the Erickson kids were done with chores because it meant they got to have fun! My siblings shared those same sentiments about Cindy and her sibilings.

 

My twin sister and I grew up building forts with Cindy’s younger brother Mark. Whitcombs lived so close, we could see if Mark was out in their yard. We rode our bicycles back and forth non-stop. We also got in to trouble on occasion. One time, we thought it would be entertaining to throw rotten eggs at the calf barn. Mom and dad weren’t amused. We played alot of kickball with Mark. We tried tag along with Cindy and Ruth, but the age difference of five years made that unappealing to the older girls! Mark and his wife (Kelly) now live in Sandstone. 

 

My older sisters enjoyed playing softball in Santiago with Cindy, her sister Veronica and mom Darlene. Cindy’s dad sponsored the team and they played for Whitcomb Construction. 

 

Lifelong friend of Cindy’s, Judy Pittman Welch recalls many childhood memories with Cindy fondly. Judy told me about one time she was riding snowmobile at night with Cindy. They met up with a fence they didn’t realize was there. Both girls were airborn and landed in a heap but looked around, grunted and realized they were both still alive. They laughed as they spotted Cindy’s glasses up in a tree. Judy and Cindy often baled hay together, as their parents shared fields with the Whitcombs that were rented. Judy told me many of her “firsts” in life happened with Cindy by her side.

 

My sister Ruth chummed with Cindy and Judy Pittman whenever possible. Ruth recalled how Cindy was always up for some excitement and full of spunk. Ruth enjoyed riding with Cindy on her mini bike. One afternoon they took a spill. Ruth had some explaining the fresh raspberry to our parents, as she wasn’t allowed to ride motorcyle. The three girls often rode Cindy’s horse, Raindrops.

 

On a recent visit to Cindy’s home, Judy and Ruth shared laughter and tears with Cindy as they recalled memories of growing up together. Ruth recalled how funny Cindy was. Even as a teenager, Cindy was not afraid to tell you if she thought your behavior was stupid. In my experience, Cindy was a straight shooter and often a woman of few words. My sister Ruth shared about Cindy: “When she talked, I hung on every word, because her words were meaningful”.

 

My brother Stephen was in Cindy’s class (Becker Class of 1981). Cindy’s passing brings the total number to nine that have passed away from the Becker class of 1981. Their class lost Benji Howard to Muscular Dystrophy and Ty Schnaus to a tragic car accident north of Becker that took the life of a couple Becker students. Seven mor from Cindy’s class have passed away since gradution in 1981. 

 

The Whitcomb family has had their share of tragedy. Cindy’s mom (Darlene) passed away of cancer in 2007. Cindy’s brother David lost his wife to cancer in 2014. Despite losing his wife, David remains upbeat and positive. 

 

Cindy’s sister Veronica lost her daughter Kathy unexpectedly a year ago. 

 

Cindy’s brother David reminisced about fun times growing up when we visited earlier this week. When they were both youngsters, David took Cindy for a spin on the snowmobile with a car hood in tow. Cindy ended up getting a few stitches! 

 

Cindy’s older sister Veronica lives in Baudette. Cindy and her husband (Tim) have a trailer near Veronica’s home and spent many weekends in Baudette fishing. Cindy loved the great outdoors, as did all of her siblings. Earlier this week, Veronica shared what a fantastic sister she was. Cindy and her husband spent a great deal of time up north with Veronica and her husband near Lake of the Woods. Veronica found Cindy’s courage inspiring and said she never gave up hope, despite her three year battle with cancer. Veronica said: “Cindy’s illness has brought our family closer and God has a plan for each of us. Cindy’s not strugggling with the pain anymore. Losing Cindy has helped me appreciate what I have in my life. ”

 

Merrin Plemel worked with Cindy at Sherburne State Bank. Merrin told me: “Every day I worked with Cindy was a good day. I enjoyed going to work and the friendship Cindy and I formed will forever be in my heart. I told Cindy many times that she was one of the strongest women I have ever met and would always be my hero.”

 

Carol Lucius recalled working with Cindy for the past 31 years. Known at Sherburne State Bank as Cindy Lou, Carol recalls how down to earth Cindy was. “She could be very serious at times, but she had a very fun side! She was always making us treats. She was a very hard worker and a strong person. Cindy didn’t often ask for help and was a determined person. She loved her family so much and enjoyed sharing their accomplishments with all of us.”

 

Cindy’s son Jeremy, shared these thoughts about Cindy: "She was the perfect mom for boys. She was not afraid to put on a glove and throw the baseball around the yard or insert herself into the middle of some teenage roughhousing.” Her boys recalled recently how at their high school wrestling matches, Cindy would cheer loudly, as though she was right in the middle of the mat with them. 

 

Cindy was full of spunk and always had a smile. She loved the outdoors and having fun. She loved her family and friends deeply. The last time we saw Cindy was in early May at our mom’s 85th birthday party. I will miss Cindy’s infectious laugh. 

This past weekend, Cindy was able to attend the wedding of her son Joe.

 

Cindy is free from pain now, after a three year battle with cancer that took her life at the young age of 53. She wil be remembered as a hard-working, tenacious woman, with a competitive spirit and compassionate heart. She had eyes that danced and a smile that lit up the room. 

 

Cindy leaves behind her husband Tim of 34 years, sons Jeremy, Joe and Joseph and was preceded in death by daughter Jessica and mother Darlene.

Hold your loved ones tight. Life is fragile.