Paula Rae Luther, 45, of Williston, died Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Williston. Friends are encouraged to sign the online register book and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com

Her Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. The Revs. Dennis Schafer and Benny Putharayil will officiate and interment will be in the family lot at Riverview Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at the church on Monday, May 4, 2009, at 7 p.m.

I was born on Dec. 1, 1963, in Minot, the daughter of Dale and Patricia (Schell ) Luther of Williston, who survives me along with two brothers, Les (Karen) Luther, Darin (Tina) Luther, both of Williston; one sister, Carrie Hammer of Minot; several nieces and nephews, and my grandmothers, Barbara Schell of Minot and Rhoda Luther of Virginia. I have joined my grandfathers in Heaven, Peter Schell and Otis Luther.

When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which left me physically and mentally handicapped. A year later, I had lost the ability to swallow and I had to be put into the State Hospital in Grafton. At that time 40 years ago, there wasn’t another place for me to get the medical attention I needed, so mom and dad, along with my doctor, had to make the very agonizing decision to move me to Grafton. I missed mom and dad so much and I knew they were praying for me. This time was very hard on all of us, but mom and dad’s prayers would not go unanswered.

In 1988, when I was 25 years old, God decided it was time for me to go back home to be with my family. It was quite a reunion when I got there. Mom was crying and laughing all at the same time and I knew I had finally come to the right place – HOME! I moved into a real beautiful home with my very own bedroom that was provided to me by the Opportunity Foundation. Six other residents lived there and they became like my family but never to replace my precious sister Carrie and my loving brothers, Les and Darin. Wow! This was like heaven. My caregivers really did care about me and they treated me with kindness and respect. They would put me in a van and drop me off at mom and dad’s house, took me shopping, to church and even to the beauty shop – we did lots of fun things. It was a totally new world I had never known before. These last 21 years have been the best years of my life even though I have had some setbacks. My family was there to go through all of the ups and downs with me. My family and I went through a lot this past week as we said our very sad good-byes. I’m now in heaven and I wish you could see me running, talking, and taking long walks with my grandpas. If you saw me now you would never weep for me again. I have left you all with some wonderful memories and a part of me will always remain with you. So remember this is NOT good-bye – it’s only the beginning! Smile and be happy for me.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Williston on Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and at the church one hour prior to vigil services and one hour prior to the Mass.