Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
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Cole, born and raised in St. Peter, MN always knew he wanted a noisy home. Bold as ever, he set out to win the heart of his high school sweetheart while she was on a date. Liza couldn’t resist his charm and they happily married in 2008 with an amazing celebration in Jamaica. In their twelve years of marriage, Cole and Liza have become loving parents to Andinia (age 10), Viviana (age 8), Eleanora (age 6), Helena (age 4), and Olin (age 1). Liza worked as an LPN at the Mankato Clinic Daniels Health Center in St. Peter for several years until they made the decision becoming a full-time stay at home Mom was best for the family. In May of 2018 Cole graduated top of his class with an MBA from the prestigious Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota thanks to the full family effort they all put in. His new role as Production Manager at The Occasions Group, a division of Taylor Corporation, was proving to be an exciting new chapter for the Turrittin Tribe.
On April 25th, 2019 Cole learned he has what is called neuroendocrine tumor (NET). It is thought to have started in his pancreas and metastasized to his liver. It is a very rare form of cancer and makes up just 2% of nationally treated cancers. Currently, these tumors lack symptoms in the early stage of the disease which make it difficult to diagnose. Neuroendocrine tumors can originate anywhere within the body, are difficult to detect and can remain undiagnosed for quite some time. They tend to be slow growing, and patients often don’t realize the tumor is present because symptoms are most often mistaken for signs of other ailments. Just 3 weeks worth of medications cost $16,000. Add up all the other medical bills and it’s enough to make your head spin. Needles to say, this is the last thing a happy family with five kids would be saving up for.
While in the ICU at Mayo in Rochester, MN the nurses asked Liza what Cole is like. She told them about the day they found out the diagnosis. Liza, heartbroken by the news asked, “why is this happening to us?”. Cole’s humble response was, “I accept its happening to me, because if not, it would happen to someone else and I don’t want that”.
For The Turrittin’s, dinner time is always a special moment to talk about the day. Cole always starts off by asking the girls, “What did you do to help someone today?”
Both examples speak perfectly to Cole’s integrity and spirit. If you talk to anyone that knows Cole they will probably tell you a story about his great sense of humor, the love for his wife, or how intelligent he is. Above all, Cole is full of kindness, patience, and humility. A devoted husband and fun loving dad. His determination to conquer any challenge that ever comes his way is an inspiration for everyone around him. Both Cole and Liza are beautiful role models of life, love, and marriage.
The amount of love that has poured in for this wonderful family is proof of how many lives they have impacted. Please continue to pray, send love, and keep them in your thoughts. Thank you to everyone that has donated, shared fundraiser link, mailed letters, dropped off food, and provided support in so many other ways. Above all, thank you for helping someone today.
I encourage friends, family, classmates, professors, co-workers, anyone to share your fond memories with Cole in the comments section of this link.
Along with Liza’s unwavering love and support, Cole is blessed to have his children by his side. The Rodning’s have been a pilar of strength traveling back and forth from Mankato to Rochester and taking the kids under their wings. It hasn’t been easy for the kids, missing their mommy and daddy, yet they have been a source of light and joy for everyone around. Cole’s parents, Barb and Chip, along with the entire family network is experiencing an immense struggle and any words of encouragement or acts of kindness helps to bring them more strength and hope.
As we continue to root for Cole to pull through and make it back to his noisy happy home we also celebrate each and every act of kindness. Thank you all. Your beautiful hearts give us more than words can express. Andi, Vivi, Nora, Laney, and Olin will forever know the power of kindness inspired by their courageous dad.
♥️Team Cole
https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/gofundme-supporting-hospitalized-st-peter-man/article_c03ea9a8-4d11-11ea-a097-0b0c0fbbd7f0.html#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social 
