<div>July 26, 2026
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<div><strong>Our hearts are broken. </strong>
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<div>Kristin passed away after a nearly 2-year ovarian cancer journey, and we are raising funds to help support her husband Jim and their sons Ian (25) and Ben (18) as they navigate life without her.
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<div>Our family lost our go-to, the person who offered limitless and unconditional love, care, nurturing, boss lady leadership, optimism, big picture dreaming, organized project management of all things and the ability to see clearly what everyone needed, when - and then get it done.
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<div><strong>Everyone has been asking how they can help.</strong> Kristin was the primary breadwinner for her family, a self-employed business owner and bookkeeper. She loved working with her clients (even up until the end) and built a great business and took pride in that. <strong>As we navigate the short and long-term needs her family could use financial support.</strong>
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<div>Even when her body was courageously fighting cancer and intolerable side effects, <strong>Kristin was the positive, pragmatic leader of our family. </strong>Two weeks ago she and Jim hosted Jeff and I for a “business” meeting in her dining room to go over how to get through the months ahead. She had an agenda, great coffee and healthy snacks - we just had to show up, brainstorm how we were going to get through what we thought were solvable side effects from a new treatment.
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<div>In that moment, she helped us all make things that were causing her pain and discomfort tolerable, tackleable to-dos - so that none of us were overwhelmed.
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<div>After being admitted to Froedtert last Saturday via ambulance, she was still thinking of others. One simple example: after her first night in the hospital, she texted Jim to pick up bakery from The City Market for the nurses and staff.
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<div>When our dad passed away in 2003, my sister and I made a pact to always make holidays special. Kristin, like my dad - was the generous gift giver making sure everyone got what was on their list and then some. Last year, we gave her an official title - Christmas Consultant. She always made sure everyone’s wish list was met, helped my mom buy all of the gifts, generous and thoughtful, to make sure we all got what was on our list and then some. She planned our Reindeer Games.
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<div>Thanksgiving - she loved and hated it. Kristin, Jim, Ian and Ben made it happen as a team, making sure the food was bountiful, tasty and from scratch - timed to a tee. Last Thanksgiving she hosted us and added a slide show in her living room of all the old time photos from the Otto family. Our whole family of 9 (ShermOttoCourts) plus cousin Bobby celebrated.
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<div>She told me in the hospital not to skimp out on Thanksgiving. She said: “Whatever. You can put my picture up. But just make sure the food is good! Don’t be cheap.”
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<div><strong>Her loss to us is HUGE.</strong> It’s not just the loss of the person - the mom, the wife, the aunt, daughter, the sister - it’s the hole in our hearts. When we were little kids, we had a detective agency in our attic and dreamed of starting a publishing company. Just a few weeks ago she said, “Let’s finally write that book together. I’ll write the words and you illustrate.” Who will I now dream big dreams with? Hatch plans? I know now I have to do this, and she’ll guide me.
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<div>We’re close as a family and we will <strong>FILL THIS UP WITH LOVE.</strong>
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<div>Her <strong>cancer journey</strong> (we joked about the weirdness of that word - it’s not a road trip!!) was less than 2 years. We were in this with her and will continue to be. At times it felt like a ROLLER COASTER with NO SEAT BELT. It still does. We don’t know how to navigate, where we are going, or when the ride will come to a peaceful stop.
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<div>We do, though, <strong>have faith in God and each other.</strong> We have a beautiful community in Shorewood and Milwaukee and beyond. Her life was filled with people who loved her, and we know they will share that love with us now more than ever.
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<div>Less than two weeks ago, I wrote a revised GoFundMe that was set up to ask for support for buying her a recliner, a ramp, stair lift for their duplex, ice machine and Pedialyte popsicles.
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<div>But now unfortunately this list is different. Jim, Ian and Ben will need help so that at this time of grieving they don’t stress about all of the bills, time off work and the impact that will have on their family budget. We’re all helping, but could use support for:
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<li><strong>Funeral expenses </strong>
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<li><strong>Medical bills</strong> - She was inpatient at Froedtert all of last week and has nearly 2 years of medical bills for treatments not covered by insurance.
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<li><strong>Loss of her business income </strong>
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<li><strong>College expenses for Ben</strong> as he starts his freshman year this fall at DePaul in Chicago
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<div>I don’t have her anymore to call every morning to help me sort out what to do, how to navigate life, and just to laugh with. I’m going to do my best living without her but I don’t know how to live without my big sister. I know, though, that she’s shining down upon me and all of us.
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<div>Please hold us all - Jim, Ian, Ben, Karen, Jeff, Jake, Pierce and me Stephanie in your prayers. Know that we are holding you in ours, and feel your love and support.
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<div>Thank you for any help you can offer, whether through donations, sharing this page, a hug when you see us, or just your prayers and kind words.
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<div><strong>I will update here with plans for a celebration in Shorewood. </strong>
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<div>Love,
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/88274867_1785151861233117_r.jpg" width="100%" />
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<div>Stephanie Otto-Sherman
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<div>Kristin’s sister
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Honoring Kristin Vailliencourt - Forever in Our Hearts

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Platform is iOS

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Honoring Kristin Vailliencourt - Forever in Our Hearts

Still $91,624 to go. Help us build momentum.