Please Help Paula Nelson’s Family as they grieve.

Many of you know our parents, Paula and Karl as loving and generous people. From their time serving as missionaries at Cedar Campus, to the way they crafted a local business to not just provide for themselves, but to provide a benefit to the community. Our mother always taught us to give generously, and anyone who has met her knows that she was one of the most welcoming and gracious hosts around. Even in her passing, she found a way to give having her organs donated, which will provide for people: allowing them to walk again, burn victims, and even reconstructive processes for breast cancer patients. At this time our family are the ones in need of support.

Some of you know about a week and a half ago she suffered a major heart attack with 100% blockage in an artery for several hours. She was in the hospital for 5 days after two stints were placed that saved her life. It gave us a week and half more with her where all the immediate family was able to spend lots of time with her in the hospital and at home. Mom was hopeful for a recovery and was in great spirits at home the last few days. But on 9/10, around 1pm, she felt her heart was off and was light headed. Elliot arrived at the house coincidently around 1:10 and was there with Karl when her heart gave out. Despite CPR and the quick arrival of EMS within 15 minutes she never came back to us. Today mom is with the Lord, celebrating her reunion with her brother, sister, mother, father and many more. But we here on earth are left with a gaping hole where our matriarch and family leader used to be. Mom was putting her best foot forward and was tenacious to the end. While waiting for the ambulance she was getting ready to face the day, requesting an outfit, deodorant and brushing her hair. She taught us so much about resilience, service, generosity, hospitality, faith, and above all unconditional love. We will cherish every memory, every tear, and every moment of joyful laughter we had with her. But right now we weep for this devastating loss.

Her passing was preceded by an extended hospital stay starting on Friday September 1st. Our mother, 62, suffered a massive heart attack, the one they call the “widow maker”. She was rushed from her house in Pickford to the Soo via ambulance and then transferred immediately to Petoskey. All of her children, her husband and daughter in law were able to be at the hospital in Petoskey as she spent time in surgery to place stints in her heart artery that had been 100% blocked for several hours. We are grateful for the amazing hospital staff who spent that day and the next several days working to keep her heart going.

Her heart was only working at about 30-35% capacity (compared to the standard 55% minimum for an average heart). Some portions of her heart were permanently damaged due to the extended blockage preventing blood flow to portions of the heart. The doctors were hopeful with medication and cardio rehab she would regain at least some functionality to portions of her heart but unfortunately that was not the case.

The extensive medical bills are complicated by recent life changes for Karl & Paula. Last fall they sold their beloved Karl’s Cuisine restaurant (property and building). The sale was not enough for them to retire on completely, but after decades of long days and nights of work, they were excited to move to a semi-retired state. Of course, not being ones to sit around, they quickly began the work of creating a commercial kitchen at their house to be able to make and sell stromboli and do limited cooking and catering . Although this investment took some out of their savings, it promised a future income. Now, however, everything has changed, leaving our family devastated.

Of course, you know that medical expenses can be really high. Paula’s insurance was self-paid and has a very high deductible. In addition, some things just aren’t covered. The ambulance rides, multi-day hospital stay and the return of the ambulances among other things have created very large bills that are adding additional stress to us as we grieve.

If you knew Paula, she loved to give and help, but didn’t often like to ask for help. Being extremely independent and generous to boot, my dad doesn’t always know how to ask for help. So we (my siblings and I) are asking. If you’d like to help out my father and the rest of the family here’s a few things you can do.

1) Drop Karl or the family, a note, card, text or message. Knowing our community is grieving with us helps as we navigate this time.

2) Consider giving to this fund raiser. It is definitely needed.

3) Consider sharing this message with others.

4) Keep Paula’s family in your prayers.

Karl and Paula taught us what it means to be servant leaders. To take a role of leadership in their family and community in a way that doesn’t dominate, but rather lifts up those around them, and brings out the best in others. They taught us what it means to be dedicated, hard workers that ultimately do so not for themselves but for their God and to be able to give to and uplift those around them. We thank you for any way you can support us in this trying time, and appreciate all of your love and support.

Best, Elliot, Lillian, Charlie and the whole Nelson/Gaul crew.