$21,050 raised
·170 donations
Gerstenberg Family
Donation protected
On January 30th, 2019, Jonathan Mark Gerstenberg left this world too young. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the Gerstenberg Family needs all the love and support possible. Losing a son, a brother and a best friend is beyond heartbreaking. Please help the family through their loss as they put their son to rest and begin rebuilding their lives together.
From the family:
We want to thank all our friends, family, co-workers and extended family for the outpouring of love and support through this challenging time. It has been overwhelming to witness your love demonstrated in such a tangible way.
We are the Gerstenbergs, and our story has changed forever.
We moved to Colorado Springs back in February of 2000, with hopes of settling down and raising our growing family. Jonathan (Jonny) Mark Gerstenberg had just arrived a month before we found a home here in the Springs. Jonathan was the third out of four children, he left behind an older brother Joshua, older sister Catherine, and a younger sister Natalie. He affected our lives along with hundreds of others in a natural, comical, and caring way. From his light-hearted joking nature, warm hugs, and adventurous spirit, to his warm and infectious smile, he will be missed and leaves a giant hole in our hearts.
As we search for answers, closure, and direction for the future, we have asked the Lord to guide us in identifying ways we can reduce and eliminate this reoccurring and ugly problem in our community. Suicide is a horrible, devastating, permanent and irreversible choice to some common problems that only appear insurmountable at the time. Our hope through this time of loss and pain is to find solutions and opportunities to halt this evil problem as we use Jonny's testimony to inspire us.
We aim to use these donated funds, first to offset expenses incurred by the family and alleviate the immediate financial burden in this extraordinarily difficult time. Secondly, we intend to use the remaining donations to establish a lasting memorial or foundation that will seek to identify practical and real-world solutions for this tragic epidemic. There are far too many families like ours that have had to deal with the massive hole in their hearts because of suicide; We are determined to use what was meant for evil and destruction, for good and the greater glory to allow Jonny’s memory and legacy to live on and motivate us to live like Jonny lived, with kindness, love and compassion. The memorial is going to be set up with an intention to designate a portion of the funds to help those less fortunate in our community. Our inspiration lies with the kindest part of Jonny's heart; this was the very thing he chose to do even throughout the most broken seasons of his life.
Our family continues to be touched by the warm and generous outpouring of financial, physical and spiritual assistance from our precious friends and family. Thank you so much for being part of our everchanging story as we attempt to define our “new normal”.
From the family:
We want to thank all our friends, family, co-workers and extended family for the outpouring of love and support through this challenging time. It has been overwhelming to witness your love demonstrated in such a tangible way.
We are the Gerstenbergs, and our story has changed forever.
We moved to Colorado Springs back in February of 2000, with hopes of settling down and raising our growing family. Jonathan (Jonny) Mark Gerstenberg had just arrived a month before we found a home here in the Springs. Jonathan was the third out of four children, he left behind an older brother Joshua, older sister Catherine, and a younger sister Natalie. He affected our lives along with hundreds of others in a natural, comical, and caring way. From his light-hearted joking nature, warm hugs, and adventurous spirit, to his warm and infectious smile, he will be missed and leaves a giant hole in our hearts.
As we search for answers, closure, and direction for the future, we have asked the Lord to guide us in identifying ways we can reduce and eliminate this reoccurring and ugly problem in our community. Suicide is a horrible, devastating, permanent and irreversible choice to some common problems that only appear insurmountable at the time. Our hope through this time of loss and pain is to find solutions and opportunities to halt this evil problem as we use Jonny's testimony to inspire us.
We aim to use these donated funds, first to offset expenses incurred by the family and alleviate the immediate financial burden in this extraordinarily difficult time. Secondly, we intend to use the remaining donations to establish a lasting memorial or foundation that will seek to identify practical and real-world solutions for this tragic epidemic. There are far too many families like ours that have had to deal with the massive hole in their hearts because of suicide; We are determined to use what was meant for evil and destruction, for good and the greater glory to allow Jonny’s memory and legacy to live on and motivate us to live like Jonny lived, with kindness, love and compassion. The memorial is going to be set up with an intention to designate a portion of the funds to help those less fortunate in our community. Our inspiration lies with the kindest part of Jonny's heart; this was the very thing he chose to do even throughout the most broken seasons of his life.
Our family continues to be touched by the warm and generous outpouring of financial, physical and spiritual assistance from our precious friends and family. Thank you so much for being part of our everchanging story as we attempt to define our “new normal”.
Donations
Co-organizers (3)
Joshua Gerstenberg
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
Mark Gerstenberg
Beneficiary
Sarah Bolin
Co-organizer
Hannah Bowlby
Co-organizer