My condolences to Vance's family. I first met Vance in 1998 when my husband Mike was in Colorado on a 10 day Elk hunting trip. Now let's not let our minds go there people.

 I saw an add in the weekly Shopping News (Looking for any type of construction jobs, highly experienced) it was something similar to that wording.  I will admit I was harboring a little resentment for the hubs who decided to spend money on his trip. I think we had previously spoke of finishing off the basement with a family room and another bedroom,  in my mind we did. A simple phone call to the bank and all was approved. (The good old days). I placed a phone call to Vance whom I had never met in my life.  Vance walked through the basement listening to what I wanted in the construction project. Then he pointed out what he could do, what should be done and informed me that his brother Scott and his father Ray would be the team completing everything with a very reasonable estimate. Construction to start the following day. 

Next thing I know I have 3 very loud voiced males in the basement. I can't decipher if they are arguing or just discussing 🤔 the plans. I paced the  floors above them, I would look down the stairs trying to see and questioned myself. What have I done? Is this going to backfire?  My son's came home from school asking " Mom, do these guys even know what they are doing, where did you find them, " adding in that my husband was going to kill me when he got home.

I sat down on the basement top step having a beer watching. REALIZING only polite to offer them one as they were winding down for the evening.  I think we were on day 2.  

This is when I found there would be a need to stock up on Bud lite until the project was done. No One was having any part of any Miller products. 

Vance asked if it would be okay if Caroline stopped over some night. I believe they were newly dating at the time. He was all smiles and talked often of her.  Caroline and I visited while they were working.  Construction continued for several days as these 3 men discussed/argued amongst each other loudly. They completed a beautiful job in our home. I couldn't of been happier or more impressed for the quality of workmanship that was done.  The hubs returned from his hunting trip as the project was winding down and met our new friend Vance, Caroline and his family.  We had several years of  laughs, cook outs, game nights, sharing stories of  our children,  visiting  each others homes and watching the rebuild of the parents home in Brodhead.  

Unfortunately lifes circumstances sometimes take us in different directions and we somehow lose contact. Times like this remind us to make time and effort. 

RIP Vance your smile, talent,  humor and kindness  will forever be etched in my mind and heart. Until we meet again. 

Dee 

Deanna Kruse (Connolly)