http://www.funeraldirectorslife.com http://www.funeraldirectorslife.com/news/executives-corner/a-life-lesson I was twenty two years old and serving as an apprentice mortician in the German farming community of Fairfax, MN. Orin was in his late eighties. He was there to bury his wife of 63 years. Orin and Gladys hadn't lived in Fairfax for decades, but Gladys wanted to be buried at Fort Ridgely Cemetery in rural Nicollet County. This final leg of her earthly journey would place her body near her childhood home overlooking the majestic Minnesota River Valley. Fort Ridgely is a unique place. Originally Fort Ridgely was a U.S. Army outpost built in 1853 to protect white settlers during the U.S.-Dakota wars that raged until the early 1860's. In addition to the historic fort, Fort Ridgely is home to a cemetery, a state park, and a nine-hole golf course that once had Astro-Turf greens. It is also home to one of my greatest life lessons. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:48:44 GMT http://www.funeraldirectorslife.com/news/executives-corner/a-life-lesson Todd Carlson 2010-02-16T14:48:44Z