Angels Among Us

“It is so unfortunate that it took such a life changing event for me to realize how much people care. It is so heartwarming to see how generous, caring, and supportive everyone is during this terrible time. Our family can’t put into words how much we appreciate everything that everyone has done to help us during the loss of our precious baby boy. God Bless”

That was a recent post on Alicia’s Facebook. We have said over and over how remarkable people have been the last two weeks. Our family has been a part of the New Lisbon area in some form or fashion for many, many years. I have seen people come together for different people in times of need but I don’t know that you can fully appreciate it until you are on the receiving end of it.

I watched people in amazement from the time we sat at the hospital how kind people can be. I’ve heard stories of the First Responder who ran to the scene because it would be faster to run the few blocks instead of wasting any time getting in car, the dispatchers who tried to keep things as calm as they could while giving instructions on what to do all while putting out the call for help, the nurse who stood silently in the corner waiting to help in any way she could, the coroner who has to been extraordinary since the minute she walked thru the door of the hospital, the funeral director and his daughter who were awesome. I know that it is their “job” but no one has ever acted that way. It’s a small community so everyone knows each other and they acted as if they were a part of the family (and some of them are in a way).

The day that Noah passed away I received emails, texts, and phone calls from so many people offering their condolences and willing to help in any way they could. There were people coming and going all week long who brought goodies or just stopped to give a hug. The funeral home was full of flower arrangements, plants, and trees. The card box was practically busting at the seam.
Yesterday group of people from New Lisbon hosted a brat and hot dog sale for Alicia and Kevin. There was a steady stream of from the time it started until the very end. They took some orders to local businesses who were unable to come up to eat but still wanted to participate. A lot of people showed up with boxes to carry orders back to people they work with. I’m pretty sure that half of Volk Field showed up to eat. They came pretty close to running out of food. Not because of their lack of planning, but because the turnout was unbelievable.


Manning the grill


Prepping to-go orders


Feeding the mob


There was a constant line


The kids probably would've stayed all day being pulled in the wagon or just strolling around the block

I personally would like to thank Jean, Glenda, Rose, Jeri, Dawn, The McDonald girls, Preston, everyone who put together the sale yesterday. I know there were a ton of people involved by donating items and actually working yesterday that I didn’t list off so thank you to all of you.

Today Alicia's co-worker's at Timberwood Bank are hosting another brat sale in Tomah.

I read another post on Facebook earlier today… "Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life that who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and cry with you when life hits you hard. The ones who love you no matter what. The ones that will be there when you call without question.”

It made me smile because it was posted by a friend of Alicia and Kevin’s who was by their side all week. Her and her husband were there to do anything they could to help out from cleaning house to mowing the lawn to just being a shoulder to cry on. Thank you Scott and Jennifer for everything you guys have done. Alicia’s friend, Tanya, was another one who has been great. She was there to do anything that was needed. Her and her girls spent a lot of time playing with Maddy. Thanks Tanya! Thank you Gina and Jamie for popping in for visits and for making everyone laugh. Thank you, Brent, for everything you have done. I assume that 65 kids went to the Brewer game and 65 returned because I never heard otherwise. Thank you Julie and Ruby for sending the prints of Noah’s newborn pictures. I could probably spend hours thanking people because there were so, so many wonderful people. And I’m sure that Alicia and Kevin could add to my list. Don't forget our families either who have been sending emails or phone calls checking in or sending goodie packages of chapstick just to make Alicia smile. You guys are all wonderful too.

I do not think that any of us can put into words how much we appreciate everything everyone has done. It’s times like this that make me proud to have grown up in such a great community.