Alana Theresa Sauerwein

I will always remember Alana's kindness and warm heart. I cannot remember a time where she was angry, and she had a way to make the world seem like a better place. I know she was proud of Kelly and her support has been essential to her successes. She will live on in the thoughts and hearts of the many people she touched. I will miss you Alana.

I had spoken to Mom on the phone for about 45 minutes, the day before she died. We talked about my recent work in North Dakota and that I was now back safe at home. We talked about family history, how my job was going, and how my wife's photography business was doing. My wife, Tawny, was actually in-town that weekend with a photoshoot in Long Beach. My mom was happy that Tawny's event in Long Beach had been successful after a a few early glitches.

My wife wrote me a note as I drove to Los Angeles after I told her the news. She described my mother as a kind, beautiful soul who was loved by everyone who knew her. She had a well lived beautiful life and she still lives through you. She raised the most respectful and amazing man and I cannot thank her enough for that.

Many people compared my mom to Snow White, as no one could think of a bad thing to say about her, and animals liked her, whether cats, dogs, birds, or hamsters. But she didn't care much for bugs or snakes.

I learned a lot from my mother. I learned how important family is and enjoyed spending time with my parents and relatives. I learned how important a strong work ethic is and how remaining positive can help us get through life's biggest challenges. I learned how to take care of myself and my home, and how to deal with difficult people with kindness. If my dad is the voice of reason in my head, then my mom was the voice of my conscience and my heart.

My mother was a kind and generous person who passed away too young. She was a strong person and this strength shone through during recent challenges. She wanted everyone to continue on with their lives and was more concerned with how we were doing and if we were happy. She would probably be a little embarrassed, though grateful, about all the fuss this week. All I want to do is give her a hug and tell her that everything will be alright, because that is what she would do when I was sad or had problems.

My mom held a lifelong interest in her Irish heritage. I find it fitting that we will be burying her on St. Patrick's Day. I am happy that I got to speak with her the day before, and that I took her on a week-long trip to Ireland in 2009. Visiting Ireland was one of her life's dreams. We got to visit Dublin, Waterford Crystal, her ancestral county of Galway, and many other places there. But I think her favorite was finally being able to kiss the Blarney Stone.

Mom, I love you so much and we all will miss you very, very much. I wish that we had more time together. My greatest regret is that I wish that you had lived to see grandchildren. You would have been the Best, an excellent grandmother. I looked forward to asking you for advice on how to raise my own children.

I will cherish all of the great memories we had and will carry your values with me. You will be missed by all and your memory will live in us all forever.

Good bye, Mom.

Alana I will miss you very much! Enjoy the wonders of heaven at God's side. I got to work with you and you were a friend and a second mother to us. Always looking out for us and being kind and loving. My condolences to your family for losing a wonderful person. I pray for your family in these hard times but with God's strength and love, you will always be in our hearts. God has gained an angel in heaven. Until we meet again Alana.

Alana I hope you have found peace and happiness in heaven. I hope you look over your family who will need you most of all. I truly will miss you so much.

Sending my condolences and happy thoughts of a beloved wife, mother, and all around wonderful, sweet, kind lady. She'll forever be in the thoughts and hearts of those whose lives she touched.

Rest In Peace , my friend.