![]() Although I second-guessed our decision multiple times, it was the right one. And the communities of Wabasso (where I graduated from high school) and Vesta (my hometown).Īfter a flurry of texts between me and my five siblings and lots of online searching yesterday, Randy and I decided not to risk the trip into the flooded region. That includes in my home county of Redwood. Flash flooding resulted in water in basements (and higher), road wash-outs and closures, mudslides, swamped farm fields, overflowing rivers and more. In my home region of southwestern Minnesota, where I was supposed to be yesterday and today with extended family, residents are cleaning up after heavy rainfall flooded the region. The Redwood River, flooded over its banks, along Redwood County Road 10 heading south out of Vesta earlier this spring. © Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling The Barrys had a Little Free Library outside their home to share their love of reading and of books. The public is also invited to bring new children’s books to be donated in the family’s honor. Attendees can also share stories at the event. Christmas was one of the family’s favorite holidays. A short program begins at 8 pm with the lighting of holiday lights on the home. Tragic beyond words.įYI: A public vigil for the Barry family will be held on Sunday evening, April 24, outside the family’s home at 715 E. To experience their loss and grief seems incomprehensible. Yet, I recognize that what I feel is nothing compared to the friends and families of Braxton the little girl from Lynd and the Barry family. You will read of a kind, loving and generous family who welcomed newcomers, of two little girls who sold Girl Scout cookies, of guinea pigs and bike riding and all those ordinary life events that, in death, take on new meaning. I encourage you to visit that site, donate if you can and pause to read the comments written by those connected to the Barry family. It is almost too much to bear and my heart absolutely breaks for everyone touched by this tragedy, especially family and friends but also the greater Duluth community and responding law enforcement.įriends have set up a GoFundMe account to help extended family pay for the Barrys’ funerals and for travel and other expenses. This murder-suicide, resulting in the deaths of two children and three adults in a single family circle, is undeniably tragic. Police continue their investigation into the motive while publicly stating the shooter struggled with mental health issues. The identified shooter, their 29-year-old nephew/cousin, also died, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victims include mom, Riana, 44 dad, Sean, 47 and their daughters, Shiway, 12, and Sadie, 9. A public visitation will be held from 5 – 7 pm Friday, April 29, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.Īnd then way up north, in the port city of Duluth, the Barry family was found shot to death in their beds on April 20. ![]() UPDATE, April 26, 2022: The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department has identified Caitlin Renee Demuth as the young girl who died as a result of this tragic shooting. Authorities are classifying the shooting as “accidental.” Again, an unfathomable tragedy. To the west, in rural Lynd, a 9-year-old girl (not yet identified) has died after being shot in the head on April 18. Braxton loved dancing and giggling and his big brother. Now Troy has lost his grandson, a sweet little boy with the brightest blue eyes. And I babysat Braxton’s grandfather (Gary’s son), Troy, and siblings a few times as a teen. I knew Braxton’s deceased great grandfather Gary, who lived in my hometown of Vesta and worked as a mechanic at my Uncle Harold’s service station. This is personal to me because I know the Welch family back a few generations. I cannot even begin to fathom the grief this family is experiencing. Braxton Welch, 20 months, died after being struck by a vehicle driven by his dad. The first tragedy happened on April 15 in rural Wabasso-I graduated from Wabasso High School-in southwestern Minnesota. ![]() To lose a child is perhaps life’s deepest sorrow. But it’s important for me, in some small way, to pause and share that which imprints sadness upon my heart. I CONTEMPLATED WHETHER I should write about the tragic deaths of four Minnesota children recently. ![]() (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo) Published with this post for illustration purposes only. Third grader Henry Johnson of Nerstrand Charter School created this vivid work of art for a Student Art Exhibit at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault.
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