Keven Wedekind

Hi, my name is Rebecca Stephenson and I am a close family friend of the Wedekinds.

Even when you save and plan, losing your soul mate and life partner rocks you to the core. There is so much more to losing a spouse than the grief. But the grief leaves you spent. There simply isn't time for anything else.

Wanda hasn't worked in over 6 weeks. Because she owns her own business, that means no sick time or benefits. This fundraiser is to support Wanda and Zac and give just a little cushion as they adapt. Navigating funeral expesnes, new health insurance policies and mortgages isn't easy. Even with a plan.

Thanks for your support and continued prayers.

Keven’s Story:

At the end of May, Keven had a sinus infection. After taking many antibiotics to treat that, he started getting ulcers in his mouth that only worsened. On July 9th, Keven went to the ER where all of his labs came back normal, so they continued treatment of his mouth and throat ulcers. He continued to worsen until he went back to the ER at their local hospital on August 1st. At that time, Keven had an extremely low blood pressure and all of his blood counts were very low. He was admitted in sepsis and started a work up, his first bone marrow biopsy was inconclusive. After struggling with the medical team for an answer, the oncology team was able to transfer Keven to the UT Medical Center Oncology team. He saw his new oncologist on August 9th in clinic. He remained outpatient to complete a specialized bone marrow biopsy on August 11th. Keven was able to stay home but was very weak. He went back to clinic on August 14th and was directly admitted through the ER for low blood pressure and extremely low blood counts. On August 17th, Keven became critically ill. He was transferred to the ICU and was started on continuous dialysis. He was also started on a high dose of chemotherapy regimen that evening. He continued to stay in the ICU due to liver failure and stage 4 B-cell lymphoma. On August 25th, early morning, he was intubated and they found an aggressive blood infection with pneumonia in his lungs. Sadly, Keven lost his battle on August 29th.

Keven was preceded in death by his parents, Alois Wedekind and Christa (Brauch) Wedekind.

He was born on November 12, 1967, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Keven was an outstanding athlete. He enjoyed playing soccer and tennis among other things and loved cheering for all of his favorite sports teams. He was an avid Vols fan and loved nothing more than attending home games with his wife, Wanda. Keven was also a musician. He was a member of the Cincinnati Boys Choir and participated in the Elder High School Marching Band. While he played trumpet, Keven could pick up any instrument and be able to play you a tune. Keven was a financial advisor for Fidelity Investments for 28 years. Above all, Keven fiercely loved his wife and son. He was never happier than when he was spending time with the two of them, often at the ball fields, cheering on his son at whatever baseball tournament was taking place that weekend and more recently, bourbon hunting and tasting through the Kentucky bourbon trail.

Keven had a servant’s heart. He loved volunteering with the Rising Stars Baseball Association in Florida, giving mentally handicapped children the chance to experience the joy of baseball, teamwork and friendship. He was a proud donor of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Keven is survived by his loving wife, Wanda, adoring son, Zachary, sister Cynthia (Clay) Barclay, and numerous nieces and nephews.