"Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21Today at 1205 pm, our dear sweet Susan was ushered into the presence of our Lord. She died peacefully, and I was by Susan's side when she took her last breath. Most of the children were at the house along with Susan's parents. She is at peace, without anymore pain and no more cancer. What a glorious day! She now joins Raylene Brands who passed away from breast cancer two years ago yesterday (April 2nd, 2006). We will be getting more information out to you as the days go. But for now, we are planning a Memorial Service at Coeur d'Alene Bible Church on April, 13th in the afternoon. Please respect the family during this time and refrain from phone calls and home visits. Susan's wishes were to set up a Cancer Contribution Fund that will be used to help other families going through cancer, with medical bills and care. In lieu of flowers, those that wish may make a contribution to the Susan Vetsch Cancer Contribution Fund, being sent directly to our home, which will be deposited into the fund at the Bank of America Silver Lake Mall branch in Coeur d'Alene.
We are grieving but it is a blessing to no longer see Susan face the daily symptom management due to her years of cancer. God has truly blessed us with her legacy of loving life and always looking to our Risen Savior for all our needs. Susan, until we meet again!
We will continue to put out information to you all through this blog. This has been a blessing for me to be able to share with you these final days with my dear Susan.
This picture I included today, was a picture hanging on her hospital room wall. Since she would sleep mostly on her left side, she woke up the first day and was able to look right at this picture. She just loved it. God placed it there just for Susan.
43 comments:
God bless you and your family during this time. I will keep you all in my prayers
Nan and JessicaSpinazza
Dearest Friends,
Know that you are so loved and that
many are ready and willing to help in any way possible.
Thank you for being so very special to all.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna, Sheena & Family
Mom, we are sad that you are no longer here on earth with us, but we rejoice that you are in the presence of Jesus forever. You have fought the good fight and finished the race. Well done good and faithful servent. You have made such a impact in our lives and we will carry on your legancy throughout our time on earth. Until we meet again.
Love Leah, Hannah, and Sarah
We want to thank each member of the Vetsch Family for sharing this 'Walk with Susan'...Our son Jaxson looked at the picture you posted and said "Daddy, I told you...God sent us a picture" Yes He did! God Bless You All as we rejoice with you!...and may the loving arms that hold Susan right now, be a comfort to you as well...
Love Greg, Phebe, Kynzie, Jaxson, Maara and Mihret
Laura,
I'm really sorry about your mom. She was a wonderful person. We know where she is going, though. You are a great friend. I hope you're doing well. She will have no more pain ever again.
Your loving friend,
Kynzie
Dear Friends,
God bless each and everyone one of you. You are all in our thougths and prayer.
We will forever remember Susan and all the love and guidence she showed our family.
God bless.
Babette & Tayler Wiltsie
We will be praying for your family - that you would feel God's comforting presence during this time. We rejoice that Susan is home, with her Savior. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Jerry & Samantha (Troxel) Johnson
Dear Vetsch family; We thank God for Susan, your wife and mother and daughter. We thank Him because she was faithful and loving and encouraging to the end. We rejoice that she is finally free of her human frailties, though we weep that we shall not see her until we depart this world, ourselves. We do love you all and will pray for God's blessings and mercy as you learn to live without her for a time. We look forward to seeing her again one day soon.
Brian and Suzanne.
Uncle Doug and cousins,
It is just as you wrote, “What a glorious day!"
That is wonderful truth from the perspective of our Heavenly Father. She gets to be with her sweet Savior!
While we can give praise we will also continue to pray for God's strength and peace to you all during this time of loss.
Bless you guys,
Christian, Laurel, Kaden & August
Doug and family,
Like you, we will miss Susan--a lot ( and it's not the end of the story either). I pray for your Peace and Rest--You've had such a blessing to have had so much time with Susan as wife and mother.
The God we know and serve is a present comfort and help in our times of grief--He knows our feelings. He understands.
Jenn and I will be coming out for the memorial--looking forward to seeing each of you--love each of you. We will talk and share more then.
Uncle Jim and family--
Dear Vetsch Family,
Thank you so much for sharing Susan with those of us that are so far away. It has been a blessing to pray for your family. I will continue to pray for you all. It has been a comfort to know how loved your family is, and how much support you have been getting from your friends and family. May you feel Gods strength and loving arms around you. Love, Jeri Good
Dear Vetsch Family,
My prayers are with you tonight... that you will feel the Lord's love and presence as you rest tonight. I am so sorry for your loss- Mrs. Vetsch was a very special lady- and such a blessing to all who knew her!
Love,
Elizabeth Scrafford
Dear Vetsch Family,
Please know that you are loved by everyone. I Pray that God will comfort you and everyone who knew Susan. God Bless,
Rachel Walters
Susan's walk will always be remembered. Thanks for taking the time and I am sure great effort to keep us all informed. Our prayers and thoughts will be with all of you.
Dearest Vetsch Family,
I am so thankful there is no more pain for your beautiful wife & mother. She has to have been one of the strongest women I have ever known. Strong in faith, love and wisdom for her family and friends. Please know you are all held tight in my prayers and my care and concerns are surrounding you. I am here when you need me. We all are.
Love,
Kitty & Family
prayers are with you.
What a wonderful witness you have all been along every step of these years of suffering, but especially these last days! My first thought was how much I will miss seeing Susan's smile, but immediately I realized, "Her smile lives on each one of her children's faces!" All of you are a tremendous legacy of love and faith and a joyous reminder of a wonderful woman of God! Thank you for keeping us in touch all the way through. Our prayers will continue to hold your family close to our hearts and God's.
Well done! All of you, well done!
Love,
Janelle Starr
Dear Mary,
I pray that Jesus will comfort you.
You have been a great friend to me.
Your mom was a wonderful person and a strong christian.
I'm glad that she no longer feels pain.
She will be missed.
You and your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
I love you aand will pray for you.
Your friend,
Tayler
Vetsch Family,
I cannot know the pain you are in but I promise I know some with the loss of my own child just recently. I will pray that the Lord with comfort each member of your family in the way He has for me and still does. I love you all. May God's arms be felt right now.
Amanda Sinclair
Dear Doug,Nathan,Leah, Hannah, Sarah, Jason, Aaron, Mary, Laura, and Kayla
As I wrote each of your names I remembered how much Susan loved each of you. Her legacy of love, family, joy, and fun will be remembered by all who knew her. It was a privelege to share 10 years of mothering, schooling,friendship, and daily life with your family. Her trust in her Savior until she met Him face to face yesterday impacted our world for Jesus. I love each and every one of you and cherish the memories. Just want you to know I will be here for you in any way that I am needed.
Love, Gwynne Fleener
Thank you for sharing Susan's Walk with all of us. Susan's faith and your family's faith has been so strong. Your faith will continue to help you through this difficult time of adjustment. Although I hadn't seen Susan in a long time, I can still hear her laughter. Just know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Until we meet again.
Robin
Dear Doug and Family-
I have been so deeply impacted by all you have shared so intimately. Susan's love for the Lord and her love of family has been so encouraging for me as an individual, as a wife and mom. You all are a beautiful family and I continue to lift you all in prayer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing with all of us.
Christine
Dear Doug and family,
Our prayers are with you and will continue to be. The testimony of faith, love and commitment to our Lord and Savior has been such an impact on our marriage that words can't adequately express. Thank you for sharing your life so willingly with so many through this blog. It has been life changing for me, (Donna). Susan was truly an example of a Godly woman and you Doug a Godly husband and father. The gift you have given so many is priceless!
God Bless you as you adjust to this new path ahead of you and know that you are much loved.
1Peter 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you."
God be with you,
Carnie and Donna McArthur
Doug and Family,
I know Susan and Raylene are dancing!
I'm so thankful that the Lord has been faithful to sustain you through your journey, and that He has blessed you as He did us, with His comfort and strength beyond measure.
I continue to pray that you remain wrapped in His Loving Arms, and feel His Presence, and His Comfort and Strength in the coming days and weeks.
The Victory Celebration is underway, and soon, in the twinkling of an eye, we will join them!!
All our love and prayers!
Greg Brands, and Family
I heard the song on the radio this morning..."I Can Only Imagine"...and I wondered what Susan did when she came into the presence of the our Lord...Did she stand in His Glory and sing halleluia or did she fall to her knees in awe...It gave me great joy to see that moment in my mind's eye...I thank the Lord for that moment in my day...
Greg Washington
Doug & family,
Just to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan left as a CHAMPION of her hard fought battle. The cancer may have won physically but it didn't have a chance against her mentally and especially spiritually. We stand up and applaud all of you for always being in her corner. Your endless support and love of her was such a beautiful example. I think of hearing about all the games and special activities your family would come up with to do together...particularly Fear Factor! You have a treasure trove of wonderful memories to pull from to always keep Susan close. Her shining light will never diminish! We are so incredibly blessed to have known her. Doug - thank you for taking the time over the past months to keep us updated. I noticed most of your entries were late at night when I'm sure you would rather have been sleeping so bless you!! Again, hats off to a true champion in every aspect of her life and to her awesome "support staff". Her efforts as well as all of your efforts are commended!!!!! Susan is now resting a very well deserved rest and all of you are entitled to find peace and rest yourselves. We are coming home April 11th so we'll see you soon. God bless you and comfort you! Please be sure to let us know if there's anything at all we can do. Our arms are wrapped around all of you.
With all the love and prayers in our hearts,
Roger, Lisa, Chris and Nick
Dear Vetsch Family,
My prayers are with you. Susan was a wonderful, kind, strong Christian. She wasn't scared to go because she knew who she would be with...for ETERNITY! :) She won't be gone for long, until we meet her again soon! She is in beautiful, wonderful Heaven now, where there will be no more pain or sadness, talking and looking at Jesus face to face after all these years. Susan is finally home!
With Love,
Mary Havens
God Bless you guys!!!
Dear Vetch Family,
To know that Susan closed her eyes on earth and opened them in the presence of our Lord and Savior brings reason for celebration. No more pain or suffering. My family has your family deep in our prayers.
When I lost my Father to Cancer 6 years ago this poem was read (I changed it to "she")
God Saw She was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around her and whispered "come with me". With tear filled eyes we watched her suffer, and saw her fade away. Although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. Our hearts were grieving but we knew that God took the very best.
Thank you again Doug, for sharing Susan's walk with us, And your beautiful familys treasured moments. she will be greatly missed.
In Christ
Brad and Kelly Murray and family
Dear Vetch Family,
Our prayers are with all of you. Susan was one incredible Woman of God.What an inspiration to many. We will look forward to seeing her again in Heaven. May the God of peace comfort all of you at this time.
Love,Andy,Diane Boston and Family
Dear Vetch Family,
Our prayers are with all of you. Susan was one incredible Woman of God.What an inspiration to many. We will look forward to seeing her again in Heaven. May the God of peace comfort all of you at this time.
Love,Andy,Diane Boston and Family
Dear Laura,
I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I have been praying that she would make it. I loved her. Even though I hadn't spent enough time with Susan. But by the way she talked and laughed. The way she loved and cared for you, I knew she was probably the best mother a girl could ever have. And she still is. When i went onto the website because I check it every day. I was expecting great news 'cause she was doing way better. Then, it happened. I will try to be one of the best friends you have. And whenever you need a friend, I'll be here.
With lots of love, Brio
THE LORD HAS HIS WAYS OF TAKING AND CREATING LIFE. YOU WILL MEET HER SOME DAY IN HEAVEN
I LOVE YOU ALL, ANONYMOUS
Song for Susan's Family & Friends
It singeth low in every heart,
We hear it each and all:
The song of those who answer not
However we may call.
They throng the silence of the breast,
We see them as of yore,
The kind, the true and brave, the sweet,
Who walk with us no more.
'Tis hard to take the burden up
When these have laid it down.
They brightened all the joys of life;
They softened every frown.
But, O, 'tis good to think of them
When we are troubled sore.
Thanks be to God, that such have been,
Tho' they are here no more.
More homelike seems the vast unknown
Since they have entered there.
To follow them were not so hard, Wherever they may fare.
They cannot be where God is not, on any sea or shore.
Whate're betides, Thy love abides,
Our God forever more.
Author unknown. Sung by Cynthia Clawson to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" on the CD "Blessed Assurance: Songs My Grandmother Taught Me"
Though the song doesn't say so, we know that it is because of Jesus' work for us that Susan "cannot be where God is naught."
By her grace and steadfast faith under affliction, she taught us all that "what e're betides, Thy love abides, Our God, forevermore."
Love in Jesus,
Ruth
Dear Uncle Doug and Cousins
I cannot imagine how peaceful it must be for Aunt Susan right now! No more nerve pain, no more breathing challenges, no more tiredness from morphine! I know that she is still caring for you all, just as she did so well and faithfully on Earth. How lucky we were all to know her and to learn so much from her. I am thinking about you all right now, and especially about how thankful I am to be related to your family. Love,
Erin
Dear Vetch family,
God has called for one more angel......and he got one.
Hugs
Anonymous
Dear Laura,
I am so sorry about your mom. I have heard that she is the best mom a girl could have. I will pray for you and your family every night. If I could do anything to make you feel better I will.
Your friend,
Megan
You know God's grace will surround you in the days ahead. You know He is holding you in the palm of His hand. You know He upholds you all with His everlasting love. And you know that your dearest wife, mom, Susan is resting in the arms of Jesus. Our prayers are with you.
Much love from Chris & LeeAnn Cheeley & family
Doug & kids:
We cannot even begin to imagine what the presence of the Lord must be like and it is amazing to think that Susan knows the answer to this now...We will be traveling to Idaho for the Memorial as well as the Morgan family. Your "summer friends" will be with you. Little Abby will not be with us however, she has her sectionals gymnastics meet that she cannot miss unless she wants to give up her spot to the state meet. So, she is staying with another family here in Federal Way and she is going to wear a shimmery pink ribbon in her hair in honor of Susan. We hope that is what Susan would have wanted. We love your family and will be with you on Sunday.
Dear Doug and Family
Our Family has been deeply touched by Susan's Journey with cancer. My sister Kelly shared with me Susan's story and asked me to send out a pray chain months ago. I was honored to do so. Please know that Susan's amazing spirit has touch so many lives. She is an amazing women. While I am happy she is with Jesus, I am sadden that she will be missed greatly. I am greatlful to my sister for sharing such an inspiring, Godly woman with me. Our family is keeping you all in our prayers.
May God Bless you and keep you.
Michele, Shannon, Jake and Kyle Kirby
Dear Vetsch family,
You are all im my prayers. God bless you.
Kimberly Melena
DEAR LAURA,
YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD FRIEND AND I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO HELP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY I WOULD. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND WISH YOU THE BEST. I HAVE HEARD WHAT A GREAT MOM SHE WAS BUT NOW SHE IS IN HEAVEN AND WATCHING OVER YOU.
WE ALL WISH YOU THE BEST,YOUR FRIEND,
HANZIES
Dear Laura
I hope your family is doing well and feeling better.I am still praying for you and wishing you the best.I hope you are feeling better,
your friend Hannah Hunter
Susan One name. Many memories. Many laughs and smiles. Many sobs and frowns.
But many many many, hearts filled with hope and love.
I love you vestch family and will keep praying for you.
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