Most of us have a list of things we wish to do before we pass away. At this point in my life, the items at the top of my bucket list are to get married and start my own family. But if I were a lot younger or older, the things I’d wish to soon fulfill would probably be different. And for other people, they’d have their own list which may or may not completely vary from my own. Some people want to pursue more extravagant things like flying in a hot air balloon or going skydiving. Others may want to do simpler things like dying their hair for the first time or kissing someone in the rain.
For Norbert Schemm from Appleton, Washington, he was one of those simple bucket listers; it was the little things in life that made him happy. He married a beautiful woman named Joanne, whom he had three children with named Bob, Tom, and John. Norbert didn’t want or need luxurious things to stay content, even through retirement. One of his most prized possessions? His family. That and being able to crack open a couple of cold beers and relax.
So, when Norbert was diagnosed with colon cancer in his late-eighties, the prognosis wasn’t good. He, of course, wished he could heal, so he could spend as much time as possible with his family. At the same time, he knew he was lucky to have lived a long and happy life.
Rather than dwelling on the outcome of his diagnosis, Norbert wanted to focus on making his last few moments count with the people he cherished the most. His family, too, wanted to spend as much time with him as they could. His sons would cancel plans and take plenty of time off work just to be with him.
Then in November of 2019, Norbert’s health drastically declined. As Thanksgiving inched closer, Norbert was bed-ridden and was almost positive he wouldn’t be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. Due to the state of his condition, he informed his family that he didn’t think he had much longer to live. So, his wife phoned up all three of their sons to come down and spend time with their father.
Norbert made a last request: to share one last beer with his sons, something they’ve always done at family gatherings.
With bottles of Bud Light in all four of their hands, and even one in wife Joanne’s, 87-year-old Norbert’s final wish was fulfilled. After their beers were all gone, Norbert took a nap. Then the following day, his passing was announced.
As tear-jerking as this story is, the good news is, Norbert was able to spend his last day on Earth with the people he loved the most, doing one of the things he enjoyed the most.
Watch the video below to see a photo of Norbert, his wife, and his three sons helping fulfill his very last wish.
