It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Mom passed peacefully last night at about 10:30. In a way it is a blessing that she was taken so quickly but it’s hard how unexpected it was.

Mom had continued to do well and her bloodwork looked good two weeks ago at her latest scheduled appointment. She’d had some trouble eating but that wasn’t unexpected. She actually was planning on going back to work this week but was given a great gift by Russ and Sharon Ball. They used their own miles to fly Mom and Dad to Panama City Beach in Florida on Thursday to stay with them and other friends for the week. 

She was able to have a few good days right on the beach but started to feel worse on Saturday night and knew she needed to head back.  They were able to get their flights changed and got into Sioux Falls Monday night. Mom got showered, dressed, and went in first thing yesterday morning to see her hematologist with Dad. A quick round of bloodwork and they were informed her leukemia had returned with a vengeance. Mom also was developing a fever from an infection. Within a few hours she was bed ridden and her fever had spiked to 104. 

They were able to get her stabilized in the ICU and was joined there by Kirsti and my family along with brothers and cousins. The immediate family was notified by her hematologist that she was beyond treatment and without her blood pressure medications keeping her stable it wouldn’t be long.

Blessedly, Mom was able to talk with all of us and understood the situation.  We had ample opportunity for hugs, “l love you’s” and jokes. Kirsti was getting a little jealous because mom kept flirting with her new husband Kyle. Mom let us know she would watch over her niece and nephew’s in heaven. In my opinion it was a wonderful time with Mom and I couldn’t imagine a better way for all to express their love and feelings. 

Mom let us know she was ready to rest and we knew it was time. Her medication drip was stopped and she was given medications to keep her comfortable and relaxed. It wasn’t long before she passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family. 

She was fiercely loyal to family and friends and would want you all to know how much she appreciated your thoughts and prayers over the last seven months. 

I will follow up when arrangements have been made. 

Torey

In her last minutes she only had a few things she wanted to get across. She was going to miss her cats and dogs, and wanted to make sure someone would take care of them for her. Typical mom.

There was also a moment where she laid quietly with her eyes open and I could tell she was a million miles away in her own head. I asked her what she was thinking. She said “I just wanted so badly to be there to watch my grandbabies grow up”. I told her that she would still be able to watch them grow up, just not in the way she may have planned to.

After awhile they gave her some medicine to make her more comfortable and peacefully fall asleep until it was her time to go. One of her last waking moments she looked around at everyone standing by her bed, reached out for all of us individually, and said “I love you guys”. She went with her bed surrounded on each side by her family, sleeping, and so peacefully. I watched my dad hold her hand and whisper into her ear. We said our final goodbyes, and we left a woman who lived a great life. She was a fierce defender of her family and an even more fierce lover.

I wrote, and erased this post multiple times. There’s so many things I want to say. But the only important thing to really say is that she went knowing she was so loved. We all took turns telling her what she meant to us, and that it was okay to go now. At 10:30 PM on February 19th, 2019 heaven welcomed my mom. She promised to take care of all our loved ones that have already passed.

I want her to know that we will be okay. There’s giant holes in our hearts, but the sun will rise again.

The next time the sky lights up when the sun goes down, think of my mom. Say hello to her and let her know she’s missed. There’s few things that woman loved more than a good sunset.

I love you, and it’s time to rest without pain, no more cancer, and knowing your family will continue to thrive because of the woman you were and the people you helped us to become.

Kirsti