If you are reading this chances are high that you know Toni Rypkema. Maybe your child was a part of her group at Good News Club, maybe she taught you how to play guitar. There’s a strong possiblity that she welcomed you into her home, held your baby, taught you a birthing lesson, or made you homemade bread. Maybe she prayed for you as you taught one of us, coached one of us, or cared for one of us. She may have made you a meal when you lost a loved one, sat by your bedside when you were sick, or took care of your loved one when you could not. She may have led worship for you at a women’s retreat, or led your child to worship in a way that only Toni could.

This message is not coming from her now, but from her children. We have had such a unique privilege being raised by her. Throughout our lifetime we have had the opportunity to watch our mom pour into thousands of lives. She talked about you at our dinner table, she prayed for you and shared stories about you with all of us. Chances are high we know your story without ever having seen your face. As some of you may know she has been fighting metastatic breast cancer that has spread to places that only heaven can heal. We know and are watching as she is being carried so lovingly through this time.

We wanted to set up this fundraiser for two reasons, the first is to help with the expenses of her extensive medical bills incurred over the past year. More importantly though, we would love for it to serve as a platform for you to share with us how our mom has impacted your life. We ask at this time en lieu of reaching out to her directly that you allow this to be a space where you share about your love for her. We would love to share these things with her to encourage her, and all of us, as we celebrate her life together. Thank you for loving our mom so well, she is blessed to know you and we are blessed to have you be a part of her legacy.