One of the phone calls you don’t want to get at night is a call from your older sister who, in a 20-second call on December 9, yelled, “My house is on fire!”

My sister, Kathy, 74, spent the last 2-3 years getting her home remodeled and repaired to the way she wanted with a new roof, new siding, new windows, central air, a new heater, water heater, floors repaired, walls plastered and painted, and a walk-in shower. It was finally done and she was set for the rest of her life. Now she could focus on living her life and enjoying her now-not-drafty home.

Kathy lived in her home with Jimmie, his grandson Van, and occasionally Van’s fiancée, Jordi. Van works full-time and Jordi works and attends college. Van and Jordi's plan has been to live with and take care of Kathy & Jimmie as they age. Their dog children are Max, Penelope, Augi, Milo, Bree, and the foster, Benny. Their cat children are Molly Mae and her adult children Amber and Darryl. Augi started barking and woke them all from a late afternoon nap. All they could see was a wall of fire. With nothing but an indoor sweater and her pocketbook, Kathy and crew ran.

Kathy’s health isn’t great and she has COPD. Jimmie, 75, has leukemia and Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t like change.

In a flash, everything was gone. Not just her house, but the photos of her deceased daughter, her medications, her CPAP, her nebulizer, her papers, her teeth.

Though their address is Abrams, they lived just north of Brookside, Wisconsin, 25 miles north of Green Bay. The fiancée's family had been through this themselves and invited Kathy, Jim & Van to come stay with them until the insurance company provided lodging. But there were the dogs to deal with, too. The fiancée's family hasn't been dog people.

Family and friends came from all over the area to help. Kathy’s step-daughter took Max, the oldest dog, home with her. He loves her, but he wants Mom. Augi and Milo were taken home by their groomer. Those two are best buds, but they want Mom. Bree and Penelope went with Kathy, Jim & Van to stay with Jordi’s family.

I am asking for help for them from anyone who, like me, can’t imagine the shock of your whole world disappearing in front of your eyes and can’t do anything to stop it. Day by day, the shock has built on itself as she takes in the devastation and deals with fire investigators, insurance, police, and her attorney.

They have a long row to hoe and I’m praying people will help make it a little easier. I will include a gallery of photos so you know who I’ve spoken about.

Initially, all money will go towards replacing daily necessities, like underwear, deodorant, shampoo, glasses, teeth, CPAP (they charged her $700 for that!!), shoes, etc.

Thank so very much for anything you can do, whether it be a donation or sharing the GOFUNDME link with others. God bless you! Happy New Year to you!