The Stombaugh-Stambaugh Family

Allison Stambaugh and Marcus Stombaugh are experiencing tremendous and unbelievable losses. On Saturday, Feb. 4, their 19-month-old daughter, Astraea, died unexpectedly. On Monday, Feb. 6, in the midst of mourning the loss of Astraea, they were told that Ally’s unborn baby no longer has a heartbeat. She was due to be born in May. Now Marcus and Ally are faced with the unimaginable task of grieving their two beloved babies. While they walk this heartbreaking path, they must also guide their two sons, 8-year-old Atlas and 5-year-old Osiris, through the loss of their sisters.

We are reaching out for support on their behalf. Please consider showing your love to Marcus, Ally, Atlas, and Osiris through monetary gifts that will be used for the following purposes:

Thank you for your kindness, love, and support. It’s appreciated more than you know.

Funeral:

Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 1PM with public visitation one hour prior (at noon) at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Highway 65 NE, Fridley, MN.

Meals:

If you’d like to provide a meal for the Stombaugh-Stambaugh family, please sign up at https://mealtrain.com/dz1z13

Note from Carolyn and Bruce Lemke (Marcus' mom and stepfather):

Sometimes life is grand, so full, so blessed. Other times life is a broken road, a bitter struggle. Then once in an unfortunate while, life turns on a dime. The bottom falls out and we’re plunging headlong into a pit of despair. Hope slips through weary fingers. Grief is too heavy to bare. That is our lot in this moment. We lost our dear Astraea, a true gift from God, and we don’t know where to turn.

From the depths of sadness, we cry out to God and beg for His mercy and grace, and ask you to stand with us in our grief. We trust in a loving God who wills good, not grief and life, not death. We ask you to join and uplift us in that trust. We plead in our weakness for God’s comfort and peace. We implore you to pray with us. We know that the cold dark night may be long, so help us to search for His strong outstretched hand to guide us through.

We trust and pray that Astraea is safe in God’s heavenly embrace. We humbly ask here on our broken road for your support, prayers and encouragement. Wait longingly and expectantly with us for that first glow on the horizon to signal the dawn of a new and better day. We’re grateful beyond words for your presence and steadfast love. Each of you is a clear bright sign of a good and gracious God who walks with Astraea today in paradise and leads us even now through this darkest valley toward his glorious light.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for though art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -Psalm 61:2

Note from Stacy and Dean Stambaugh (Ally's parents):

Astraea Curie Meriwether Stambaugh was born on June 20, 2021. She was welcomed into her family by her parents, Marcus Stombaugh and Allison Stambaugh. Her two brothers, Atlas and Osiris, loved her from the moment they saw her. Astraea had a playful nature, a strong sense of curiosity, boundless energy, and loved music and dancing.

She left us heartbroken on Feb. 4, 2023. Her family, including parents, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, continue to love her fiercely and are thankful to have been a part of her beautiful life.

“In the midst of the most challenging circumstances, you have the opportunity to see the strength in yourself, the helpers in your community, and the glory of God.”

-Amanda Stombaugh