Edna & Nelson Zink

Comment

Comment by Gloria on February 7, 2009 at 8:05am

After reading both Corey's and Punky's comments here, this is the reason I say I missed the good fortune of getting to meet my in-laws. I wish so much that they both could have lived long enough to see their 5 children and to know that all five of them are happy in lives today. I wish they could have met their latest grandchildren and great grandchildren. When I listen to the stories that Punky, Louie, Ronnie, and even Sandy and Susie from time to time tell, I do feel like I've known their parents all my life. I have to say that some of the things those boys put their poor mother thru, she had to be one heck of a strong woman. But despite what all the kids put them through, they sure did one heck of a job raising the family when they had so little. But all the important things had been instilled and each and every one of the kids and I can honestly say I love all five of them. We grew up in my family the same way the Zinks did, not having much material things, but we learned all the real values in life that I wouldn't trade it for anything. In raising our own kids, we wanted them to have some of the material things we didn't have, but I think in the process of doing this, we, as parents spoiled our kids and they didn't grow up with the same values that we all did. It makes you wish you could go back in time and do it all over again. I would gladly go back and live my life just the same way it was, and I'm sure that Ronnie, Louie, Punky, Sandy and Susie would gladly do the same. I don't have of my own stories of Nelson and Edna and I so wish I had come into Punky's life a lot sooner so I could of had time to meet two such wonderful people. I know they are both looking down on us now knowing that Punky and I are very happy as well as the other 4 kids. They have to be beaming right now to finally see what a great job they have done as parents. We all love and miss you very much. From the daughter-in-law you never got to meet but has made your son Punky very happy.

Comment by Punky Zink on February 7, 2009 at 5:52am

We were brought up in those days when a typical family consisted of the dad who worked outside the home and provided the finances for the family. The mom was always home doing all the household chores that made a house a home. When you arrived from school you could rest assured that she would be there and there was always a homemade pie, cake or some cookies to digest immediately upon arriving.
Mom was a great cook. She always had a large garden that she protected with her life - shooing away chickens, ducks, crows (especially Louie's pet crow), skunks, or any other critter who would put it in danger. When you were a child, one of your chores was to help weed the garden. Other chores included splitting and stacking wood for the woodstoves, mending fences, milking cows, etc.
Mom always canned food to put up for the winter months. I can remember her cussing at her wringer washing machine and knew when to get out of her way. I also knew where to go to her for a cut finger, hurt pride and anything else in need of healing. And, it was great that she was always there.
Dad was the hub around which the entire family spun. He ruled with a firm hand when needed and a gentle hand when needed. He only had to leer at you with the big Zink eyes and you knew you'd better "cool it" before you were in big trouble.
Through it all, he was a very loving father and hard worker. He made friends with the blink of an eye.
I often look back and realize that we didn't have materials things, but we had family unity, pride, love, concern for each other and concern for the feelings of all with whom we came in contact. I compare that with today and all is in reverse - material things come first and there's really not much time for all the rest. I always hear that both mom and dad need to work to make ends meet. As I look around at the real picture, I see countless material things that they "need." Things that we never had growing up, and never missed - we replaced them with those family things I mentioned earlier. And we wonder what's wrong with the world...all you need to do is open your eyes and compare today with yesterday....I think it'll all come into focus.
Unfortunately, we lost dad at the young age of 48 when I was 17.
Mom passed at age 67. The both left special places in our hearts that will always remain. As I look around and see the way the family has grown, I take pride in the fact that it all started on that mountain farm many decades ago. All you need do to find out what our life was like is to watch a movie called Spencer's Mountain or a tv series entitled "The Waltons"....wouldn't change any of those years for anything on earth....they are our heritage and it just doesn't get any better than that!!

Comment by Corey Zink on February 6, 2009 at 11:37pm

My Grandparents gave me a wonderful family. I only knew my Nana for the first 6 years of my life but she had a wonderful impact on me and i still miss her loving ways. I can only thank my aunts and uncles and my Dad for telling me enough about them to feel like i knew them well. Because of all the wonderful things that i know i have been given via the "Zink" name I can only hope that i am making them proud. Maybe it's because i am their oldest boy Ronnie's Son, but for many reasons i have always needed the Zink's to all be close to feel a real sense of peace in my heart. I know the same goes for my Dad. I have always tried to keep the closeness there and i know that my grandparents continue to give me strength when i need it to do so. This network has brought us together in a great way and when i am reading all the nice comments i can see their smiles and feel their happiness coming through and because of that I know that they are loving what is happening to our family as much as i am. If it is one way of giving back to them for all i have been given then i couldnt be happier in doing so.

Grandpa and Nana you will always be a huge part of me and thank you for all the gifts that continue to come from your Legacy. One thing is for certain, i have only been told how much you both were loved and what great people you were. I know there is a reason for that and it is because you created a family that loved you for all that you did and for all that you were for them.
I look forward to joining you someday and i will do my best to pass along to my children all the great values that came to me through your children.
I also promise to do my very best to always keep the Zinks as close together as a family as i can, as long as i can. I will make sure that my children know as much about you both as i can. My oldest boy will take the reins from me someday in keeping the Zinks together. You will never be forgotten. I love you both
Corey ZInk