Donation protected
My name is Nathan Stenberg, I'm originally from Howard Lake, MN, a small farming community an hour west of the Twin Cities. I am currently in my final year of my Masters program at Princeton Seminary, in Princeton, NJ, and am applying to Doctoral programs for further study in Performance Studies for the fall.
While home on winter vacation, I received word from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that my mother, Mary Stenberg, 64, had been found dead in her apartment on December 27th, 2016, and that I would need to return home to identify the body.
The news came as a complete surprise, as I had just arrived to Duluth, MN to visit a dear friend, and had not heard any news from my mother that was in ill-health.
My mother and I had been estranged since my parents divorced when I was 14 and she left the house. I am an only child, and was listed as her next of kin.
These last two weeks now have been extremely traumatic and draining. I have had to become acquainted to the legal and monetary matters that come with being named responsible as next of kin. Due to my distant relationship with my mother I had no idea of where she was living or what kind of life she led. This has led me to piece together the extremely fragmatented, yet beautiful life of my mother. While this process has been extremely rewarding in how I have been able to watch my mother's life unfold in front of me, it has certainly brought its share of pitfalls.
In the 13 days since my mother's passing I have made endless calls back and forth with the county medical examiner, the local police department, funeral directors, Veteran Affairs, and many others. After finding the location of my mother's apartment I was held at gunpoint and momentary held at arrest by local police under suspicion of breaking into my mother's residence, despite being accompanied with her landlord.
My mother's funeral service was held Friday, January 6th, 2017 in Minneapolis, and she will buried Monday, January 9th, 2017 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, with full military honors.
Despite receiving burial benefits for her service in the United States Air Force, my mother's funeral costs are still overwhelmingly expensive.
I am a 25-year old graduate student with a disability, with the full responsibility of bearing all of my mother's funeral expenses. The money raised through this campaign will be used solely to pay for the funeral costs due at the end of January.
I humbly ask that you consider giving as you are able to help support me in my attempts to pay this unexpected and tremendous debt. As a full-time student I am unable to garner the kind of wages needed to pay off such a cost, and will not be able to do so by the deadline given of the 28th of January.
Death is not something in which one can plan for, and the unexpected loss of my mother has certainly come as a complete shock to me and my mother's family. I am only as strong as those who surround and support me, and I have found great solace in the loving embrace of my many friends and family who have assisted me throughout this process. I ask that you may take consideration in my story and my time of financial need. Know that any donation you are able to make comes with my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
My Mother's Obituary
While home on winter vacation, I received word from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that my mother, Mary Stenberg, 64, had been found dead in her apartment on December 27th, 2016, and that I would need to return home to identify the body.
The news came as a complete surprise, as I had just arrived to Duluth, MN to visit a dear friend, and had not heard any news from my mother that was in ill-health.
My mother and I had been estranged since my parents divorced when I was 14 and she left the house. I am an only child, and was listed as her next of kin.
These last two weeks now have been extremely traumatic and draining. I have had to become acquainted to the legal and monetary matters that come with being named responsible as next of kin. Due to my distant relationship with my mother I had no idea of where she was living or what kind of life she led. This has led me to piece together the extremely fragmatented, yet beautiful life of my mother. While this process has been extremely rewarding in how I have been able to watch my mother's life unfold in front of me, it has certainly brought its share of pitfalls.
In the 13 days since my mother's passing I have made endless calls back and forth with the county medical examiner, the local police department, funeral directors, Veteran Affairs, and many others. After finding the location of my mother's apartment I was held at gunpoint and momentary held at arrest by local police under suspicion of breaking into my mother's residence, despite being accompanied with her landlord.
My mother's funeral service was held Friday, January 6th, 2017 in Minneapolis, and she will buried Monday, January 9th, 2017 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, with full military honors.
Despite receiving burial benefits for her service in the United States Air Force, my mother's funeral costs are still overwhelmingly expensive.
I am a 25-year old graduate student with a disability, with the full responsibility of bearing all of my mother's funeral expenses. The money raised through this campaign will be used solely to pay for the funeral costs due at the end of January.
I humbly ask that you consider giving as you are able to help support me in my attempts to pay this unexpected and tremendous debt. As a full-time student I am unable to garner the kind of wages needed to pay off such a cost, and will not be able to do so by the deadline given of the 28th of January.
Death is not something in which one can plan for, and the unexpected loss of my mother has certainly come as a complete shock to me and my mother's family. I am only as strong as those who surround and support me, and I have found great solace in the loving embrace of my many friends and family who have assisted me throughout this process. I ask that you may take consideration in my story and my time of financial need. Know that any donation you are able to make comes with my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
My Mother's Obituary
Organizer
Nathan Stenberg
Organizer
Princeton, NJ