The text i bold I didn't have time to translate so she didn't read that part

Kenneth Claesson My father-in-law & friend

Kenneth Claesson meant a lot to me, and I am so sorry I can't be here with the rest of you.

I always called him "Clouwson!" because that's the way he sounded to me when he answered the phone.

He is the father of the most beautiful women I've ever know or even dreamed about. Kenneth's daughter Lenora is my wonderful wife and the loving mother of my children. I'm proud to say and will tell my children that their grandfather Kenneth Claesson was a good man and I will miss him dearly. He was a proud man and loved his wife, family and friends.

But, there is also another special feeling I get when I think Kenneth Claesson.....
he was my friend, always with a smile to greet me. To my friend and father-in-law, I say "SKOL" till we meet again in heaven...although I hope it's not too soon.

I hope you'll forgive me, but I'm not quite finished talking about Kenneth.I can't help but recall some stories with my father-in-law.

There were many times when Claesson and I used to sit on the porch in the summer house. I couldn't speak Swedish and Claesson couldn't speak English...but after a couple of Pips Blue...it seemed like we talked for ever and understood every word. Those were good days.

I remember one time asking Claesson if he had some nail clippers in his pocket and he replied...
"No...but I have a glass of water in my pocket". This was Kenneth's sense of humor.

I recall another time when I was watching Peter at practice when he coached Mellerud,
and Claesson and Roger came showed up. I couldn't understand a word they were saying, they motioned me to get in the car and I thought I was being kid napped...I had no idea where we were going...somewhere in the country. As it turned out, they took me to see Asebro..which I was told later...they wanted me to see a REAL soccer team.

Then there was the time in the Caribbean when Claesson's jaw popped out of joint and I took him to the emergency room in the middle of the night. As Claesson lay in the hospital bed with electrodes stuck all over his chest, his jaw popped back in place. Claesson ripped off all the electrodes and we ran out of the hospital room and down a hall with out checking out..... and both yelled out 'HEYDO" as we went out the back door exit laughing all the way.

I remember the first time I met him. It could have been better circumstances for me... I had to make a surprise first time visit to Sweden to beg Lenora to forgive me and come back to the United States. I had written a long apologetic letter to Lenora which she read in front of her whole family including her dad. Has she read in Swedish I had no idea of how the letter was being received except that Lenora, her sister, her mother, and her grandmother were all crying. I didn't no if that was good or bad. When Lenora finished..it was very quiet..then Claesson got up...poured a couple of shot of Baily's and looked at me and said "SKOL"... and that's the first time I met Claesson and it was a good meeting thank God.

Then there was the time Claesson drove Isabella, Rebecca, baby Troy 4 months old and myself to some beach that seemed like hours away on the winding country roads....I thought we were just going to the beach close to the summer house. Lenora did most of the child care at that time and it was truly an adventure for Claesson and I to take off alone with the three young children. Isabella was the translator and did a great job. The kids got sick and threw up on the way. Once we arrived, Claesson carried Troy and took to the two girls to find a spot near the water. When I arrived, Troy had bice leaking out his diapers and on his clothes, Rebecca had stepped in dog bice, and the water in cooler had leaked all over the sandwiches. Claesson took off, I had no idea where is was going, but when he returned, he had a bunch of paper towels, 2 ice cream cones for the girls and a couple of beers. Everything was fine from that point on.

I have many more great memories about Kenneth Claesson. I've heard so many happy stories about Lenora's childhood in Sweden with her family and cousins..I could write a book. I have nothing but good thoughts of happiness to say about Kenneth Claesson.....let's celebrate his life...and to him I say SKOL and thanks for being my father in law and friend.

When I look at Isabella, Rebecca, Troy and Lenora, I can not forget how grateful and thankful I am to Kenneth and Inger, because of their love for each other...God has blessed me so much.

I know Kenneth Claesson will always be near us in spirit and I can clearly and distinctly hear his voice saying "Ya ...Ya.....Bra Asebro !" By the way, our three kids are pretty darn good soccer players....I wonder where they got that from ?

Again I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you all to celebrate Claesson's life today and I hope to see you soon.

God bless Kenneth Claesson and the sparkle in his blue eyes which lives on in his six grand children....

and to all I say...let these words be heard loud and clear in Mellerud....through out Sweden, and all the world........"SKOL CLAESSON" .

God bless all of you and God bless Kenneth Claesson.