Thinking of you today and yesterday. Miss you and love you. ♡♡♡

Hey Girl, miss you. Happy Birthday sweetheart. Think about you often. Love you always...

Ahja, I miss you. My heart hurts for you and your family and all of the people who loved you. You were so sweet to me from the moment we met, both new kids in Manchester in the sixth grade. I was surprised that a girl so beautiful and funny and popular was so nice and open with an awkward brace-faced, frizzy-haired, thick glasses wearing shy girl like me. We wrote copious long-winded notes. Trampolines, school dances, knee socks, shaving our heads, when you joined softball even though you were way better at track ;), our trip to Germany, sitting on the wrong section of the steps in Berlin, almost dying on that side trip when we got caught in the hail storm, reuniting multiple times after high school like we had not missed a beat, playing co-ed softball, introducing me to sushi. We laughed and cried together. Every time I saw you I felt loved. I hold our memories together so dear and I truly believe that you are now in a place where your soul rests easy and you have a smile on your face. I can't wait to see you again. Until then....

I can't believe it's been 4 years. You had the sweetest spirit!!! I remember orienting you as a new nurse. Missing my little flower child!!! Continue to rest easy boo!!!

Thinking of you Ahja and remembering your wonderful spirit. You are missed. I think of you often and miss your smile and spirit.

It doesn't seem like it has been 2 years since you left us. I knew you only for a short few years, but our bond was great. You left behind a wonderful son. I think about you so often and miss you beyond words. Rest in Heaven beautiful Ahja.

My deepest sympathy to the family. How long is long enough? Not having a family member around is tough. I just loss my nephew at a young age. He left two very young children behind. What has helped me and given me solitude is Job 14: 14, 15. I hope it brings you the comfort that it has provided for me.

I remember so well when Pat and I were pregnant at the same time, each of us with our first child. Pat was at my son's birth. A few weeks later, she experienced firsthand the joys of giving birth which she had helped so many achieve. We kept in touch through second children, Pat proudly telling me how Ahja went with her to see clients, taking everything in stride and how Ahja brought positive energy to those visits. May all the memories of her as a child, teen, young woman and mother sustain each of you Pat, Ron, Adam and Martin in the years to come. And may your love for Cristopher help fill the hole in your hearts.

Dearest friend Pat,
My daughter, Anna, called me today to let me know that Ahja left us. I am so sorry. I have no words to express the sadness and loss that you, Adam and Martin and the rest of your family must feel at this time. I pray for you and your family, for your beautiful daughter and her brilliant soul as she shines all around us every day and twinkles in the stars each and every night, forever.

Dear Ron,
Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with you and we sincerely wish you peace at this sad time. Marlee, Aiden, Cassie and Tim Standke

Our whole family mourns this great loss. I met Ahja as a young child, saw her grow up, worked with her as a nurse and took care of her as a patient. She was a very special soul loved by many. Our deepest condolences to Pat and Ron, to her brothers, son and all who knew her.

Aunt Jane thought of Ahja when she heard this song and wanted to share it with the rest of us.
The song is titled "Seven Spanish Angels" and it is performed by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

Here is the link: http://youtu.be/x8A9Y1Dq_cQ
(You have to copy and paste it)


May Ahja be at rest now and our memories of her remain in our hearts.

My Dear Ahja, Such a wonderful soul. My heart goes out to your family and especially your handsome son Christopher. May you rest in peace and may your family be comforted by the God of their Understanding. My heart is heavy, but I know you are in a better place. Rest in peace, my friend, and know that you will be greatly missed, and thought of often.

I didn't know Ahja for very long but I saw the beauty she possessed inside and out. I was amazed by her physical fitness, insight about health food, and medical knowledge. However, I was most amazed by the love she had for her son Cris. My heart and thoughts go out to Cris, her family, and her friends.. we lost an amazing person who's footprint on everyone's heart was huge. I'm lucky to have been Ahja's friend.. that is something I will never forget. You will be missed by many hearts Ahja, forever.

Ron, I didn't know she was your daughter! I'm so sorry to hear that. Blessings to you, and am praying for your comfort.

I had the good fortune to meet Ahja before her birth! She also was there to welcome my son to earth just weeks later. I got to hold her in my arms and enjoy her glow. I knew just a bit about her struggles, and wished for her happiness and ease. I am SO touched and saddened beyond words at her passing. I send love to all her family and friends.

Ahja, you were such a great friend and co-worker. I looked foward to coming to work when I knew we would be working together! We would talk and laugh all night long. It made me so happy to be a part of your pregnancy and baby naming process. I enjoyed making Christoper's diaper cake, fit for a prince! My heart breaks for him and your family. You are loved my dear. I pray that God watches over your little one and is forever blessed.

We will all forever miss you Ahja! That time you squeezed my hand because I was so moved 7th street, those times we sang karaoke at the club and died laughing- just because, the tender way you treated Cris "your little man"..I was so sorry you lost your husband and felt your shock and sadness from afar. I was so happy to see pictures of you and Cris and thought " thank God A2 has so many people who are really there for you and show that they care by calling, showing up. Thanks for calling me. I'm glad you showed up when you did. You didn't just save my life you taught me what brave was. You showed me that love brings you back and that one person can keep you in those rooms. I hope all people reach out and change others the way you did. Thanks for answering my calls and telling me that God has a plan and tomorrow is a new day. I will never forget you. May you rest in peace. Cris has a dad that is going to make you proud. I'm sure if your parents, siblings- family- friends and loved ones all keep him in mind his education will be a blessing he will work for with both parents. One here and one as his angel looking down and him never forgetting that special love you both had together. Fly free

Patty and Ron,
I'm so sorry for your loss and am praying for you and yours. Although I never knew her as adult, Ahja was a beautiful child and may you find multiple blessings in Cristopher, your grandchild.
Krista Stricklen (formerly Kramer)

Ahja was a blessing in my life in many ways. She taught me that when putting water in a pan, when getting ready to boil we should use cold water, the hot water has more chemicals. Eating organic is the best way to eat. I loved watching her with her little man, she loves him soo much! Playing Wii fit together was a blast too!! I also am a life saved by Ahja, she will always be a blessing that I will never forget. May you be at peace now, much love.

Ahja I don't know where to start. Your mom delivered my sister Becky. You were my best friend all through middle school and most of high school. I dont think I would have survived middle school without you. Even when everyone hated me you still talked to me on the phone every night. Remember at my bday party when Becky and Matt kept following us around and you said who cares they just wanna hang with the cool kids? Younger siblings! Remember how cool we were with our platform jelly shoes? 8th grade comencement with your sunflower dress? Our cool matching green shirts? Our nicknames hope and danger? We used to write notes every day. You were always clever and funny! Remember nicholes party when twig had to save you from the pond??? Lol. We used to run from our houses and meet in the middle! And run back to your house. And your driveway was killer! I wanted to walk the mile long driveway but you said we are almost there! We were the first woman's crosscounrty team in Manchester! We made the course! We snuck peanut butter chocolate candy from Mr. Vitale! We laughed and joked even when our legs were jelly and too tired to move. Prom!!?? Oh jeez with our fake nails and all....working at Frank's together.......oh what about our trips to big boy like every weekend? Thanks for being my friend and listening to hole sponge and nirvana with me. Feeling so sad that you are gone.

My impression of Ahja is from the time I spent with her in middle and high school. She was beautiful, smart and kind. I have only great memories of her and her contribution to our classmates. My sympathy to the ones she blessed.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ahja’s family.

Ahja was a sincere, loving friend and kindred spirit who always greeted me with a hug. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know and love her.

I am so sorry for your loss.

<3 We will miss you sweet Ahja. Love you forever. Wish I could have more of you down here but I am certain I'll see you again.

Dearest Ahja, I feel heartbroken that you left us all. I wish I knew you were in pain and needed help. I would have helped save you once again only if I knew. We all loved your gentle soul. I am soooooo sorry you left. You have the most beautiful soul that touched so many lives. I offer my deepest condolences to Patricia, Ron, Christopher, and the rest of your family and friends in this hardest time. Gold bless your gentle soul. I know you are watching us from heaven. Rest in peace now.

Ahja-boo, I'm going to miss you. You had the biggest smile with a heart to match. Rest easy love!!!

God Bless You Eternally. May God Bless and Keep Your Family Ahja.

To Ahja's mom, dad, son & his father, as well as all her friends and relatives, I extend my very heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Ahja's shining star often glowed so bright, I'm so saddened by this and will miss Ahja.

Ahja, your loss is felt so heavily by so many. Blessings and love to you and your family. I love you!

I feel so lucky to have known you. I learned to be a better woman as a result of knowing you. Really gonna miss those hugs. But even more than that, I will miss you. Thank you for saving my life sweet girl. Love u so much. ❤️

I feel so blessed to have known you, sweet Ahja. My heart is so heavy and you will be missed by so many. I will carry you in my heart forever.

Ahja, I am so blessed to have known you. I learned so much from you. I will forever cherish all the moments that I spent with you and Cristopher. Sending prayers to your family. You will be greatly missed by everyone here in our Ann Arbor community. Love you!

I never knew you, but I heard the heartache that comes with it. Rest comfortably, and I pray your child and family receives the comfort from God they will need.

Dear Ahja,
May your spirit so sweet and beautiful find peace with in Gods kingdom, if you can will you tell chuck we miss him , love him and constantly still include him in all we do... ☆♡☆

Ahja had a great sense of humor & we laughed at similar things in our group... whether appropriate or not. She always had great stories about Christopher & loved him dearly. I'll never forget the story about his blue poo(or the picture of it). Rest in peace Ahja

Dear Ron, Sometimes after all we do, something still happens to make us lose what we work so hard to keep safe. I feel totally inadequate to offer you comfort, but I want you to know that you and your family are in my prayers. I can't imagine how difficult the loss of Ahja is for you. She was so fortunate to have a father as supportive you.

Dear Pat we are so sorry to hear of your loss! I was just thinking of Ahja last week when I was working in the garden trimming the rhubarb. The first time I met her was at the house and she cut me some. I pray that you and your family will be comforted at this difficult time.
Love, Jimmy and Rivka

Ron & Pat, you don't know me and your daughter and I were not close, but close or not she had an amazing grace about her, that even in high school was evident and very kind. I am sorry for your loss, there is no greater pain than burying your child, and I can tell you it never gets easier, you only get better at handling it. Through your ups and downs over the rest of your lives please know that You and your family, especially Cristopher , are in my thoughts and prayers and the prayers of my family. Wishing you peace, and the understanding that; sometimes we just aren't meant to understand.
Corrine Haas (Racine)

I am so so sorry to hear this. I remember a fun and happy Ahja who was best friends with my sister in middle & high school. We ran track & cross country together, she loved running, we hung out after school, we hung out with a lot of the same people and for a long time she was a big part of my life. It's hard to remember when we grew away from each other or even why. In the last several years I have only seen her, mostly just recently via Facebook, a handful of times and now I wish I had made a better effort to reconnect. We had a lot of really fun times back in the day, she was a beautiful person. Inside & out.
I pray now for God to comfort her family, her mother who was my Mom's mid wife & a really nice lady to my family, and to her young son who I can't even imagine his hurt.