Cassandra

Cassandra Lynn Williamson was born on March 10, 1990, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She died unexpectedly on March 18, 2003, just eight days after her 13th birthday. We love her and miss her every day of our lives.

Cassie had a smile that could light up any room and a giggle that was contagious. Her friends called her “the peace-maker” because she always wanted to keep the peace among all her friends. She had more than one “best friend” and was always quick to forgive and forget.

Cassie’s favorite animals were cats…especially her tame farm cats. But she loved all cats, and collected pictures of tigers, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and any other big cats she could find. She also had a few stuffed tigers and lions and a leopard sheet set and body pillow. Her favorite kitty, shown in the picture with her, was Shadow. Unbelievably, we found Shadow dead just one day after Cassie’s funeral. Maybe she died of a broken heart.

Cassie was an “A” student and was involved in sports. She played volleyball, but her favorite sport was basketball. She played on the Bethany Eagles’ 2003 championship team and was looking forward to another great season.

Cassie loved going to the Manitowoc County Fair. She went to the fair every day that she could and always enjoyed going on the rides. She was in 4-H and entered projects to be judged. She enjoyed photography the most.

Her blond hair, blue eyes, and huge dimples made her very hard not to love. We had discussed organ and tissue donation with both of our girls before Cassie died. We know that we will see our beautiful daughter again one day in heaven and, although we don’t understand why the Lord called her home when He did, we’re thankful that we could help to make a difference in someone else’s life through tissue donation.

David

Dave was a good man. He fought in the Viet Nam War and it took a long time for him to come to terms with what happened over there. Not that he agreed with what did happen, but he found a way to live with it.

Dave was a loving, caring husband. We shared 33 years of married life together. We have two daughters and a son. We also have two grandchildren who will never get to know what a loving grandpa he was. I know there will be other grandchildren who will miss this, too.

Dave was a good dad. His kids all grew up to be his best friends. They could talk and laugh for hours. They all share his love of music. Dave did truly love music. He sang in a group called The Corsairs when he was young. He still spent whatever free time he had playing his keyboard and singing. It made him happy. Our son is in Europe now touring with a band called Aufdemour who is signed to Capital Records. His dad would be so proud that his son did what they both prayed would happen someday.

Dave worked a lot of hours. He was always stressed because of his job. He always said he was doing it for our retirement. He was a guy that took everything too seriously.

Dave was loved by many. He had not only his family, but friends, as well, who loved him dearly. Each of them has also suffered a loss. We miss him so very much.

Eric

Eric was fun-loving, well liked fifteen-year-old. He was happiest when he had a ball in his hands; quarterback on the football team, pitcher for baseball, forward on the soccer team, point guard on the basketball team. He also loved to golf.

He always had a group of friends around him. They liked to hang out at our house playing pool, playstation, computer games, or watching movies. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his grandfather and brother.

Eric loved life. He always had a sparkle in his eye and a large smile on his face. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. We, his family, hope that through the gift of donation, his sparkle is now shining in someone else’s life, bringing joy to all those around.

Melissa

Melissa Reicks loved laughter. Her signoff on her email was “Live, Love, Laugh.”

She had many, many friends and her hobby was to keep in touch with as many as she could. She was a senior at Iowa State when she died. She was doing so well in school and picked up a double major, because it was a challenge, as she said, she had so much to do.

Mike

To say Mike died of an enlarged heart is an understatement. His heart was filled with love that couldn’t be contained. His love was not only to his family, but it reached out to everyone. He was 48 years old, but when it came to caring for and loving others, Mike was much older in years.

When Mike was a child, he took care of his ill father and often had to carry him. He began to carry anyone who could not make it on their own. When he first went out on his own, he moved across the street from his parents so he could always be there for them.

A prouder father is yet to be born. His philosophy was to be there for others, and take care of them. This philosophy was passed down from his parents. He was a devoted father and grandfather.

Mike was a sweet, sensitive and gentle man. Mike was strength wrapped up in gentleness, who would smother you in his embrace. He had a great sense of humor and the biggest grin ever.

Mike, we love and we honor how you loved us. Thank you for this. We will do what you did—what the Lord said to do: LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Thank you, Father, for life on this earth. Amen.

Jeffrey

Jeffrey’s unexpected death at the age of 42 on 12/03/03 changed our lives forever. His zest for life focused on his great love for hunting, fishing, and the companionship of his dog!

He was also an avid Packer and Badger fan!

May his recipient also see the beauty of nature as Jeff did.

Stacy

Stacy Foytik was a very dynamic young woman who brought joy to everyone she encountered. She had a zest for life and a spring in her step. She had a smile that would light up a room. She had a presence in a room like no other.

Stacy could make you smile even if you were frustrated with her. Stacy had a great sense of humor. She was loved by her family and countless friends. Stacy was a young lady who knew that life had great possibility. She had big dreams that knew no boundaries.

Stacy was active in many school activities. In many ways she was your typical, carefree teenager. She was a great basketball player and an excellent musician. She sang in choir and played in band. She was in several clubs including Prentice Athletic Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Power of Positive Students.

Stacy was a hard worker. She worked part-time jobs while maintaining good academic status.

Stacy aspired to travel to England. She had hoped to work in the fashion industry after high school. She had people calling her to model. This tells of her striking beauty on the outside.

Stacy was also beautiful on the inside. Nothing could bring Stacy down. She had a strong faith in God. She had a strong sense of family. An only child, she made many great memories with her parents on various family trips, vacations and activities. Stacy had a unique way of showing her love for all humankind. One could say this came from being a Girl Scout. It is more than that. Stacy loved people regardless of who they were or what they looked like. There was not a speck of prejudice in Stacy. It is this extraordinary unconditional love for others that made people feel special and feel happy to be with her.

Although her untimely death leaves us and many others sad with a large void in our lives, we know Stacy would be ecstatic to know that part of her lives on through organ and tissue donation. To have another person see the world through her eyes means that she is still bringing joy and happiness to many. That is exactly the kind of giving, loving person Stacy was.

Mark

Mark Stokes loved fishing, hunting, nature, and anything to do with the great outdoors. He always followed his dreams and put his heart and soul into anything he did.

Mark was a very giving and helpful person. He touched many lives with his wonderful sense of humor.

Mark

Mark Rasmussen was a “people” person ~ Always with a big smile and he never forgot a name or a person! If he met someone new, he never forgot ~ even years later! He could tell by the name what nationality they were…

He loved his 1931 Model A (with the Rumble Seat), which his son has now inherited. It was his pride and joy ~ along with his cottage….his second home!

He was also an avid golfer, getting a hole-in-one before he left us! Sadly missed by his wife, daughter, and son ~ but a great believer in being a donor!