A Thief in the Pantry is a love story. It’s not the typical romance, but a true story of deep, abiding love that saw Marv and Jan through the devastating thievery of Alzheimer’s disease. You will get to know and love Jan as she grew up in a family farm home on the southwestern Minnesota prairie during the Depression and committed to a lifelong marriage to her adventurous pastor-husband. When Thief Alzheimer’s arrived in their home to steal Jan’s memory and dignity, their strong love and devotion to each other enabled Marv to live out his vow to care for her. Woven through the love story is an undercurrent of deep faith from which Marv and Jan drew strength and hope. The journey appears to end with Jan’s death only to find a new road for her in heaven and for Marv as he continues alone. While this book tells a sad story, it also suggests positive solutions to the challenges that caring for Alzheimer’s patients will pose to families and care facilities in the near future. During the journey when Marv asked, “Why Jan?” he was given the stamina to continue on. His insights will help you prepare for the challenge if Thief Alzheimer’s invades your pantry.
