Our sweet Ellie Rose left this earth last night at 9:15pm to go home to Jesus. She was surrounded by family and friends and so many who loved her. She raised her right hand to Heaven and I could feel God reach down and carry her safely to His kingdom, where I am confident that she was greeted by many fellow angels. She passed peacefully, while lying between her mama and dada. We love you, sweet little Ellena ~ you will be forever 5, forever whole and forever in our hearts until we meet again.

Today has been a long and difficult day as we struggle to transition into our new lives without Ellie beside us. There have been many tear filled moments and each has been followed by praise to our Father in Heaven who we cling to for comfort and love. Services for Ellie are below ~ we are blessed by the giving people at Hosanna! Lutheran Church for letting us use their building. All are welcome to attend any or all of these in honor of Ellie Rose.

Visitation: Sunday, February 22nd from 4 - 8pm at White Funeral Home ~ Burnsville Chapel, 12804 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN

Celebration of Life Service: Monday, February 23rd beginning at 11am at Hosanna! Lutheran Church, Lakeville MN

Pastor Shari from New Day Church will be officiating as Pastor Doyal will be on a mission trip. Following Ellie’s celebration, please join us for lunch which will be Ellie’s favorite meal, fettucine alfredo and spaghetti with breadsticks and salad.

Ellie’s final resting place will be at the Calvary Cemetary in Saint Peter, MN next to her Aunt Peggy. We will have a short memorial service at the Catholic Church of Saint Peter with Father Phil around 3:30 or 4pm before making our way to the cemetery.

Thank you to all who have been with us through this most difficult journey.
Pat, Niki, Angel Ellie, Desi and Cole

Hi all -

I wanted to let you know that AMFE has put a special Vikings jersey up for auction.  The Minnesota Vikings donated the jersey to Ellie’s cause and we’ve decided to place it on eBay.  I should have gotten this info out a little sooner, but there are still 2+ days left in the auction.

This jersey is a #6 away (white) jersey, signed by 5 players:

Front:
Adrian Peterson #28
Chester Taylor #29
Jimmy Kleisasser #40
Tarvaris Jackson #7

Back:
Jared Allen #69 (Thanks to Ellie’s Grampa Wes who stood in line at the MoA to obtain this extra autograph).

All signatures are in permanent white marker on the numbers.  Lot of photos on the eBay auction which can be found by clicking on this link!

This is your chance to get a very special commemorative of the 2008 Vikings’ powerful 1-2 rushing punch and their star defensive end Jared Allen. So check it out and tell your Purple Blooded friends - spread the word!

Take Care and God Bless,
Uncle Andrew

Ellie’s last day of radiation therapy was yesterday, June 18th, 2008! You did it, kiddo! What a trooper!

Check out Niki’s journal entry on CaringBridge for all the details: Ellie’s CaringBridge Site

We love you, Ellie!

Baby Cole was born today, a hearty 8 lbs, 12 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Mommy & Baby are doing wonderfully, Ellie and Desi both got to see him, and Pat’s face shined with awe, tenderness, and a father’s pride.

Today is a good day.

Today we get to set aside DIPG.
Today we get to set aside radiation therapy, Decadron, and side effects.
Today we get to set aside bills, applications, and financial worries.

Today, we celebrate tiny feet.
Today, we celebrate miniature hands and perfect little fingernails.
Today, we celebrate a baby’s pink lips and button nose.
Today, we celebrate those slow, tentative first movements of hands and fingers.
Today, we celebrate the whisper of a baby’s breath.

Today, we celebrate a mother’s loving, hopeful, bewildered gaze.
Today, we celebrate a father’s strong arms shaped in a perfect cradle for his son.
Today, we celebrate one sister’s hugs, and another sister’s smiles that are so far in-between these days.
Today, we celebrate family quietly, desperately clamoring to hold and adore this baby boy.

Today, we celebrate tears of joy, tears of hope, tears of release.
Today, we celebrate the gift of life, the sunrise of a newborn child’s journey.
Today, we celebrate the miracle of Colson Patrick Willaert.

Today we welcome you with a love that will grow each day.
Today we pray and thank God for you, Baby Cole.

Rest well, and may God shelter you and your family in the palm if his hand tonight.

Gramma Joy and Jill assisting at the house.

Grampa Wes, Pat, and Auntie Kari to handle Ellie’s treatment.