Support Stanley’s Family & Legacy

Rita Hanson is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Amber Soden.

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Hi, this is Rita Heitman Hanson. I am fundraising for Amber Soden whose husband, Stanley, was killed in a car accident. Amber and their 3 children have struggled emotionally and financially since then. I met Amber when she was a child. Please read her story to the end and discover how we reconnected as adults.

Please read my dear friend’s words below:

“It is with great sadness I am writing this. Stanley, precious and beloved father and husband was suddenly taken from us in a tragic and fatal car accident.

To honor Stanley's beautiful memory and legacy, we are raising funds to be used directly to support our children's care.

Moments before his accident, I walked Stanley to the front door, as we gave each other hugs and kisses. He was going to three medical appointments, then the children and I were going to meet him at the library. Never did I imagine that an officer would come to that same door and speak the words, "Stanley is no longer with us".

There are not words to describe the devastation our three children and myself are enduring with the inconceivable loss of their beautiful loving daddy. Our children just 9, 6 and 2 years old the day our lives changed forever. To know Stanley or his heart is to know his babies. He wanted to be present for all of it - to take care of, to be joyful, to guide, to love and to protect them throughout their lives. Please pray they continue to feel his love. Our hearts cry for him daily. He is our Home.

Prior to our loss, Stanley was diagnosed with cancer. He also needed amputations of his leg, hospitalizations, ongoing wound care, picc lines and home IV's. More often than not, this became our typical day to day life with our children. Experiencing the cancer diagnosis and then learning recently that he was cancer free - we felt beyond blessed!

Still, the illnesses continued including: blood clots, sepsis, spinal surgery, brain injury. This required frequent hospitalizations for Stanley. Our family held on tight to our faith and covered each other in love and support. Even with trying to be resilient and strong, you can imagine the duress and the financial outcomes put on us, due to the ongoing medical circumstances surrounding our family.

We have an immediate need for housing. Our landlord of several years unexpectedly raised our rent by $600 per month. He had agreed with Stanley to only raise it $50.00 a month. Finding and securing a new place to rent is difficult and costly.

Another need is a safe, reliable vehicle. Before our loss, Stanley, (a mechanic expert), informed me we needed significant repairs or a different vehicle as our car wouldn't last long. For this reason, I am nervous to drive far. I know it's a situation that must be handled soon.

I know we are not the only family hurting and trying hard to just take the next breath and the next. He is my love, my life, my home. I am thankful to be his wife...then, now and forever. Thank you for prayers. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children and for anything provided while our family tries to navigate our tremendous loss.

I want to thank Rita for her encouragement and graciously offering to help with this fundraiser for our family. As a child, when moving away, Rita gifted me my very own children's Bible which she knew I frequently would check out from the school library. I held it close to me and my loved ones through the years. I’d bring it with me even on road trips or sleep with it for comfort, physically holding tight to all the promises and examples it showed me of my father’s love for his children. Rita and I reconnected as I searched for her when my sweet husband, children and I were being baptized and dedicated together. I found her so I could thank her for her loving gift of the Bible so many years prior.

Any amount you are able to gift or willingness to share a link to this page is tremendously appreciated. I sincerely and whole heartedly thankful for all prayers especially for our children in love, health, healing, both now and their future. Also in my ability to provide them with all the leadership, love and care they both need and deserve.

Thank you so very much, Mrs Stanley Soden”