Louis Otto "Pete" Willrich III

Dad, I can´t believe you´ve been gone almost 18 years. Mom is with you now, and we are heartbroken that you´re both gone. But we take solace that you´re together, laughing, without stress and pain. I see you in all three of my babies, and most especially the only one you met, Little Pete. I love you and miss you. I remain very grateful for your life.

I love you dad and miss you every day! I hope the coke and yellow cake are just as good in heaven!

The end of February is always a time of reflection for me. I know the sad anniversary is approaching, and I find that I think a lot about those last few days with my dad. I am super grateful that I was able to be present with him even though it was so difficult. The memories of those final days at home and of his funeral are still so vivid. So much has transpired these past fifteen years - so much that he has missed witnessing and joining. When he died, he only had one grandchild - Lauren - but now he has four. He was born to be a grandfather, so his missing that experience is so sad. He lives on in Heather, Ashley, me, and in his four grandkids. And of course, he remains in our memories and our hearts. I remember him telling me that the grief he felt after his parents died never went away, it just got a more bearable. That has proven to be true. Most of the time now I think of him without sadness - and usually with laughter at that big goofball. This week, the final week of February, will be a mixture of both. To all he left behind, I send you love and wish you peace.

Stephanie, Ashley, Heather and Robbie..I am holding you all in my heart and envisioning a beautiful transition for Pete. I have always felt so welcome in your eclectic world, and your dad was a big part of that. BIG Love to the Willrich Family.

To the family and friends of cousin Pete--I am so sorry for your loss. Pete is in my thoughts and prayers as wee as your whole family God bless all. cousin Nonie

My thoughts and prayers are with Pete and his family.

Dianne Blair
Marian High School
Class of '63

To Heather, Ashley and Stephanie:

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you all loved your Dad and it was evident that he loved his girls very much! I wish I had the words to share to ease your pain, but I hope that you all find peace with the many wonderful memories you are left with.

To all the family of Cousin Pete,
I am very sorry I will not be able to attend the Requiem Mass today. We wish for love and strength to the Willrich family from all the Cowhig cousins. We all loved Pete and were grateful for his presence when we said good-bye to our brother Jimmy in June of 2005. God bless Robbie and all the girls in the coming months. Love, Peg

The Willrich Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope it's a comfort to know that the folks at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Perry County, Mississippi, lifted Mr. Pete and your family in prayer. The Good Lord hears prayers no matter where they come from!
Our love,
George and LeAnne Pennell and boys

Stephanie-
We are deeply sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
May God Bless you and your family.
Sharon,Derrick and Evan Aipoalani (St.Paul,MN)

Dear Stephanie,
Joe and I offer our deepest sympathy during this sad time. Your Dad was indeed a fine man and will be missed by many. We hope and pray that your loving memories of him will sustain you and your family in the days to come.
Many Blessings,

To the whole Willrich family, Pete was such a loving man, as was his mother and father. I am so very sorry for your huge loss for he was a great man. I am sorry I will not be able to attend - but Robbie, Brandy, Gerry, Tommy, Betty and Sissy - know that you are all loved because you had such kind wonderful parents and Gods guidance. Pete was always very friendly to me and in my eyes, there could never be another man, like your brother Brandy. I think they broke the mold on him. My deepest sympathies, I will pray for the rest of your family as well. Love and prayers Frank and Irene Nicks and family (Christine's sister) God Bless you all, and delight that you and I know he has gone on to a very special place because he was special man.

Stephanie - Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Please take care, and we are here if you need us.

Love,
The Petrys

To the Willrich family and friends -
I am so sorry for my absence during this sorrowful time. However, my thoughts and prayers are with every single one of you. Let me know if there is anything you need from me here in Kansas!

Uncle Pete-
I am so glad I got to talk to you a week ago. I know it will not be the last time we speak. You gave it a hell of a fight, and I am proud to carry the name Louis Willrich. I love you so much. See you on the other side.

Steve Willrich

What an amazing father and grandfather! We are immensely grateful for having been so blessed with such a man. We will miss our Daddy and Pawpaw so much but know that he will watch over us. And God further blessed us with Lauren, our own "Little Pete," so we will be able to see Daddy and Pawpaw everyday in her. I pray for peace for all of us mourning this enormous loss, especially my mother/Pete's wife, Robbie. Her love for Pete was never more evident than at the end of his life when despite the difficulties and sadness, she helped him leave this life with dignity and comfort. We are all so truly blessed to have had Dad in our lives and to have Mom still. Finally, I offer some words of comfort given to me from Father Roy Oggero: "Once God gives life, He never takes it away." These words have helped me and I hope they provide some solace for all who are grieving.