William "Bill" Perrance
December 29, 1919 - April 21, 2010

"Happy Valentine?s Day. Ellen and I spent the afternoon together. Pat, Ellen and I miss mom?s cards. "

"Oh, Dad. Ellen and I think of you. We talk about times shared with you and Mom so often. Your good advice frequently surfaces as I continue my journey without you or Mom. Good advice is not easy to follow, but I continue to try. May you and mom share the good promises of the afterlife together. She missed you so much after your passing. Ellen and I continue to miss both of you. This morning, I completed a DBT therapy course. I hope to be better able to stay on a better path life path. My long long time therapist, Anne, passed away just after Christmas from a stroke. I last spoke to her about two weeks before her death. She was another source of strength for me. I know Mom met her, but I do not think you did. I am grateful for her ongoing support. Missing you and wishing you peace dear old dad. As you warned me that I would miss my dear old dad when he was gone, you were right on the money. You were a good listener, offered insight and encouragement. I do miss my dear old dad. "

"This has been a long winter and a cool spring. Mom, Ellen and I miss you and think of you often. Rene' "

"Hi Dad, Wanted to let you know that Ellen's Romeo passed away a couple of weeks ago. Ellen was on vacation. Mom was staying at her house. The vet thinks he had a diabetic reaction and had seizures. Mom was with him for comfort but could not help him. I hope he has found his way to you. He is in need of a lap and gentle pet. He could use his tummy scratched, too. I hope Scooter is with you, too. Poor cat had a cancerous tumor in the roof of his mouth. I have been lucky. My O is doing OK as is Igbee and Angel Rosemary. I told Igbee that if you were here, she would be teased. She did not like the idea. We all miss you and think of you often."

"Hi Dad, Ellen's Mini and then Sissy passed away. Ellen had her Mini put to sleep.She was so thin and frail. A month later, Mom found that Sissie had passed away on her round by the library table. She loved to sit by the register under your picture in the living room. I hope they both are with you. Mini will be able to catch after the reflection of your watch crystal while Sissy snuggles in your lap. The kitties are not forgotten. Neither are you. With love. "

"Hi Dad, It's almost Christmas. You are very much missed by Mom, Ellen and me. Saw Cheryl at the Holiday Tea. She lost her dad this year as did Jean. Cheryl believes you and the other two dads are in a better place and are happy again. I hope this is true. Yesterday Ellen and I were together. We put my cat Leah to sleep. I had her six months and she suffered from renal failure. She was in pain so I knew nothing would help her get well. I hope my pets are finding you and Uncle Bob. They need someone to give them pets, scratch their ears and tease them a little. You are never far from our thoughts. Rene' "

"Hi Dad, Last Sunday was Father's Day. Not a special day for us without you with us. You are not forgotten. Everyone's love, Rene'"

"Hi Dad, I lost Smidgen last Saturday. He was one of the gray cats kittens. He had bad eyes so Willie asked me to take him to the vet. Of course, he ended up with me and was a character. He had feline leukemia but was always lively. He was not eating as much the last week but on Friday he was panting. I got him to the vet on Saturday and they thought he had pneumonia. Ellen came to take him to the Rochester ER Vet because I had to work. He died when they tried to take fluid from away from his lungs. Poor little thing had a tumor that took up his lungs and was surrounding his heart. He is now with you and Bubby Joseph. I miss you all. There are big gaps in our lives without our favorite dad and the pets. Wendy lost her lovely Telly, a yellow lab. I told her that you would see that she had her ears rubbed and could watch the ducks land on a heavenly lake. I knew you would not mind. Please take care of my little Smidgen. He was too young. His eyes were bright and he leaned into the vet when he petted him. I did not expect the outcome. Cathy's dad is taking chemo treatments for his cancer. They found traces of the stuff just before Christmas. Not good stuff. "

"Dad, it has been almost a year. Mom, Ellen and I think of you every day. We still have some tasks to do on your behalf. "

"Mom and I went to the memorial service at this funeral home. They had a very lovely program and honored all those who had passed away this year. Wish that you were not one of them. No one from the families of Glen Myrvold, Russ Jurgens or Jack were there. Realizing this I went to place Jack's candle near yours. Ir made me feel better. Took Glen and Russ's candles with us. Dropped off Glen's at his house. Jan had not felt well so did not attend. Will have to get Russ's to his family. tonight there are blizzard warnings. Not right that you are out in the cold. Mom thinks the grandma cat has died. She was such a pretty cat and a caring mother but no one to give her a home. Maybe she has found her way to you. I hope so. Miss you and think of you more often than I get a candle lit for you. Rne'"

"Dad, Your Sogge Home friend, Jack passed away last week. Now both of you have escaped from there and I hope both of you are happier. Celebrated my birthday with Mom and Willie but it is lonely without you. Mom and I went to the VA in Sioux Falls for the memorial service for vets. There was a piper there in full regalia. There are many of us who have lost our special vet. I included Uncle Dick and Uncle Helmuth so they know we think of them, too. Miss you. Rene'"

"Dad We miss our dear old dad. Miss you alot. There is a big lonesome spot where you are supposed to be. I gave Wendy's memorial for you to River Bend. It reminds me of Kilen Woods and times we spent at both places. "

"Dad I miss you alot. Wish you were here."

"Dad, Cathy's dad has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Today was his appointment with the oncologist. Too many of the dad's around us are getting sick. We miss our "dear old Dad." Things are just not quite right without you."

"Dad, We missed you at the cabin. It is not the same for any of us. Mrs. Mooney asked about you and I had to tell her, that we lost you. Made all of us very sad. Judy Davies is slipping away from ALS. Stopped to see her. She is very fraglie. Another sadness coming to a family. "

"Dad the catalpa trees were beautiful this year. Faribault has several large ones. Ellen, Mom and I miss you alot, alot alot. "

"The catalpa trees are in bloom and beautiful. You always enjoyed these trees."

"Missing you more and more. Ellen put a pinwheel flower on your grave for Memorial Day. "

"You are in my thoughts"

"Today was Uncle Helmuth's funeral service. The lilac's are blooming on this lovely but sad day."

"Pat, my sympathies are with you in the passing of your Dad. You and I worked together years ago at NWB. I never realized we had another connection....our Dads. May all your memories bring you comfort. "

"My deepest synpathies to Rene and her family. I hope all your loving memories of your father will help to comfort you. Losing family is the hardest challenge we have to deal with. We always remember our parents as being young, and all the fun times we had with them growing up. Your Dad is now watching over you to guide and protect you throughout your journey. Take care as you are healing, and keep all your memories close to your heart... ~Colleen Welton, MSAB "

"Uncle Helmuth passed away early today. Another sadness for mom. She misses you and now will miss her brother, too."

"Miss you. "

"Thinking about you. Rene'"

"Thinking about you often."

"My sympathies to Bill's family. My Dad, Toivo Perala, worked with Bill at the State Highway dept. They were co-workers and friends. May your cherished memories bring you comfort at this time."

"Ellen and all your family, So sorry to hear of the death of your dad. My sympathy goes out to you."

"Helen and family,we were so glad to have gotten to know Bill while we helped at the house. We had some good laughs. He lived a good life and a full life! He will always be remembered."

"May you be at one with God."

"Helen, May God be with you during this time. Remember all the good memories. They will be a blessing to you. our prayers are with you."

"Pat and famlies, So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May God Bless!"

"I loved visiting with Bill when he came to Rochester to visit his daughter Ellen. He always had some humor in him and some information for me about how to fix something I had no idea about. "

"Dear Friends: Ever since I was a young boy, the name Perrance was mentioned often in our home. Bill worked with my father at the State Highway Shop, as it was called in those days, not MnDot. They were great friends, another piece of our family's history has gone. I give you my most sincere sympathy on Bill's passing. He was a good man."

"i always enjoyed sitting down and visiting with Bill. He always had a story to tell and a smile to share."