VOICES OF HOPE - Parents of Murdered Children

August 2012
For the families and friends of those who have died by violence
VOICES OF HOPE
Parents Of Murdered Children-MN Hope Chapter, PO Box 516, Circle Pines, MN 55014
pomc.com rawiggins@comcast.net 651-245-6195 or 651-484-0336
Minnesota POMC Meetings Schedule
POMC National Headquarters
National Organization of POMC, Inc
Executive Director, Nancy Ruhe
100 East Eighth Street, Suite 202
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Why we are here…
Phone: 888-818-POMC
Fax: 513-345-4489
Email: NatlPOMC@aol.com
Online: www.pomc.com
1. To provide ongoing emotional support needed to help
parents and other survivors deal with the pain of their
loss and facilitate the reconstruction of their lives.
2. To provide contact with similarly bereaved persons and
establish self-help groups that meet regularly.
3. To provide information about the grief process and the
criminal justice system as they pertain to survivors of a
homicide victim.
4. To communicate with professionals about the problems
faced by those surviving a homicide victim.
5. To increase society’s awareness of the problems faced by
survivors.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Hope Chapter 3 rd Friday of Month
512 S Albert St., St. Paul
7:00-9:00pm
Holy Spirit Ministry Center located off Randolph Ave and
Albert St across from Holy Spirit Church. Meetings held in the
library located on the 2 nd floor. Handicap accessible. Look for
POMC signs. Questions contact Jim Lym @ 651-484-0336 or
email at rawiggins@comcast.net
Central Minnesota Meetings
Contact Vicky Bolin @ 612.385.4336 for time and place
information.
Southeast Minnesota Meetings 4 th Tuesday of Month
18 th Ave & 41 st St NW, Rochester
7:00-9:00pm
Pax Christi Catholic Church, Rm 5 to the right of the double
door entrance, lower level on west side of church. Questions
contact: Connie @ 507-358-4017 or
Lois @ 507-367-4646
More info at www.semnpomc.com
We’d like to hear from you!
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for Voices of
Hope, please let us know.
Contact us either by emailing the newsletter editor at
mbierwerth@hotmail.com
or by mail to our P.O. Box.
Moving Please let us know to keep you on
the mailing list
Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. is a self-help support organization for families
and friends who have lost a loved one to violence.
“Membership” is open to those who have been cruelly bereaved by the murder of a loved one. Professionals who are in frequent
contact with grieving families are also welcome to join.
This project was supported by the Office for Victims of Crime, US Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of
the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of the US Department of Justice
Page 1

Page 2
Voices Of Hope
August
Anniversaries
Laura Jean MacPhee Aug 01, 1997
Derek Allen Babb Aug 01, 2004
Darin Edward White Aug 02, 1986
Katherine Gayle Hollifeld Aug 02, 1987
Tina Marie Kalland Aug 02, 1994
Molly Jean Rice Aug 04, 2007
Jennifer Ann Knutson Aug 05, 1988
Nicole Christine Johnson Aug 05, 1990
Ryan Ford Aug 06, 1992
David Miller Aug 06, 1992
Erik Peter Kraemer Aug 07, 1999
Gwen Franke Aug 08, 1981
Adrian Morrison Aug 09, 1986
Sherry Diane Williams Aug 09, 1997
Wayne Rashawn Robinson Aug 10, 2001
Leanniatia Cinvettle Thomas Aug 11, 2001
Nicholas Lee Nodo Aug 12, 1990
Jason Nicholas Roerick Aug 12, 1994
William Benjamin Jenkins Aug 12, 1997
Melody Sue Butzin Aug 13, 1985
Alexander Franklin Butzin Aug 13, 1985
BoDean Samuel Foss Aug 13, 2007
Michelle Renee Becker Aug 14, 1987
Joan Wood Weigelhofer Aug 14, 2003
Kristin M O’Connell Aug 15, 1985
Curtis A Goddard Aug 15, 2002
Timothy Charles Sieff Aug 16, 1986
Brian Kelley Jackson Aug 17, 1986
James Eric Nunn Aug 17, 1996
Richard Rahshad Nixon Aug 17, 2003
James V Potts Aug 17, 2005
April Nicole Geyer Aug 18, 1998
Manuel Alvarez Aug 19, 1982
Darrius Lamont Dixon Aug 19, 2004
Mary Waters Aug 20, 2008
Amanda Lynn LeMaire Aug 22, 1991
Bill Rislou Aug 23, 1993
Lynn Ferguson Aug 26, 1987
Laser Aug 26, 1994
Timothy James Jones Aug 26, 1994
Ronald Michael Ryan Jr Aug 26, 1994
Leon David Blankenfeld Aug 26, 1996
Nicholas Joseph Sturdevant Aug 26, 2001
Richard Bush Aug 27, 1994
Jeffrey Lynn Obermeier Aug 27, 2001
Harry Wondra Aug 28, 1985
Clarence Wondra Aug 28, 1985
Keith Eugene Wallace Jr Aug 28, 1993
Reginald Payton Donahue Aug 28, 1995
Paul Martin Antonich Aug 28, 1996
Timothy Milton LaValle Aug 28, 2004
Timothy Alan Loeding Aug 29, 2003
Mary Christine Johnson Aug 30, 1974
Holly Sue Schwerzler Aug 30, 1992
Loren Busse Aug 30, 1995
Raleigh Chavez Aug 31, 1992
Sergio Hans Sprandel Aug 31, 2000
Birthdays
Jonah George Johnson Aug 01, 2006
Julie Ann Everson Aug 02, 1961
Melissa Marie Koolmo Aug 02, 1968
Kimberly McConnell-Luer Aug 03, 1965
Bradley Neil Pruitt Aug 04, 1950
Kevin Lee Baldwin Aug 04, 1962
Matthew Helgeson Aug 04, 1981
Jereau Michael Carlson Aug 04, 1996
Sheila Marie Boyd Aug 05, 1985
Linda Nannett Alden Aug 06, 1952
Kim Lawrence Nelson Aug 06, 1955
Otahl Osei Saunders Aug 06, 1975
Cordell Belcourt Aug 07, 1973
Jamie Alayne Cooksey Aug 08, 1976
Dustin Jirasek Aug 08, 1977
Wayne Rashawn Robinson Aug 10, 1983
Darrell Louis Bisson Aug 11, 1954
Kriston Lynne Mitchell Aug 12, 1969
Sean O'Brien Aug 12, 1974
Harry Wondra Aug 13, 1913
Bernie Brom Aug 13, 1946
Laura Ann LaMotte Aug 13, 1957
Raquel Renee Richmond Aug 13, 1969
Jessica Heather Martin Aug 13, 1972
Duane H Fyten Aug 14, 1958
Nancy J Ludwig Aug 15, 1949
Erica Lynn Grothe Aug 15, 1978
Mindy Lynn Berentson Aug 15, 1984
Bill Rislou Aug 16, 1941
Michelle Rae Barlow Kelley Aug 16, 1969
Michael Eric Chaplin Aug 16, 1978
Stephen M Sanchez Aug 16, 1979
Richie Aaron Wiggins Aug 16, 1979
Crystal L Halloran-Drummer Aug 17, 1982
Donald G Juenemann Aug 18, 1941
Robert Joseph McGinnis Aug 18, 1962
Andria Lynn Ritacco Aug 18, 1986
Joseph John Jordan Aug 23, 1988
Steven John Hofer Aug 24, 1958
Shelby Strickland-Davis Aug 24, 1958
Todd Robert Ziebarth Aug 25, 1963
Brittney Jean Reger Aug 25, 1977
Brent David Olson Aug 25, 1981
Debra Jean Blackstone Aug 26, 1961
Patricia Heaslip Aug 26, 1964
Reginald Payton Donahue Aug 26, 1967
Mary Lauren Olson Aug 26, 1986
Philip Inhofer Aug 27, 1932
Felicia LaDuke Aug 27, 1983
Bradley Ruedebusch Aug 29, 1978
Jennifer Suzanne O’Neal Aug 31, 1973
*If you do not see your loved one’s name in these
lists and would like to please let us know at
mbierwerth@hotmail.com or send a letter to our
P.O Box.

Voices Of Hope
Page 3
Book Recommendation:
Hope in Heaven's Day
Grief be mine, I ask you so,
If not for you, I wouldn't know,
How life once was and then be still,
How so precious, that death do steal.
Because that grief, won't go away,
Learn to let it have its way.
The link to love, a precious one,
Is met with grief and still not done.
The days do come, and nights do go,
Grief will stay as time is so.
And so a loved one passes on,
And grief comes in and carries on.
Does grief get better, I will ask,
It's hard to say, while at its task.
There is grief to help us cope,
There is God to give us hope.
Grief will surely go away,
On that glorious heaven's day.
But while its here, there's just one thing,
Pray our Lord, for peace he'll bring.
-Arlene Dery
Conquering the Mysteries and Lies of
Grief
By: Sherry Russell
Conquering the Mysteries and Lies of Grief
presents an innovative investigation into loss.
Being based on hundreds of interviews along
with personal experience, the book clarifies
how and why grief catapults us into a crisis,
threatening our mental, physical, and spiritual
health. Through the revealing frank
conversations, you discover fresh information
on how to take an active role in your grief,
while adjusting to new realities. You learn how
to handle the "snootful of shoulds" while
finding out the variables that make your grief
so unique. Grief takes you on a bizarre maze
like journey allowing you to explore and plow
through your pain to get to a life filled with
goals and not despair. Conquering the
Mysteries and Lies of Grief does not tiptoe
around the powerful reality of grief. Grief is
miserable, unpredictable, and intimidating
work, however, by understanding the domino
effect of loss you can go on to live a life of
graciousness and radiance.
Amazon.com - $14.73

Page 4
Voices Of Hope
Families of child victims gather for support
Workshops offer help to cope with murder
by JJ Hensley - Aug. 7, 2012 09:03 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com
One of two men convicted of killing Dan Levey's brother is already out of prison.
The crime occurred nearly 16 years ago near an elementary-school basketball court in central
Phoenix, where Howard Levey was waiting to meet some friends for a weekly pickup game of
hoops. He was murdered for his car, which his assailants drove three blocks and dumped.
Like many relatives whose family members met horrific and untimely deaths, Dan Levey was thrust
into the role of family spokesman, reward fundraiser and victim's advocate during the two years
between Howard's murder and the convictions of his killers.
One of the killers, released from prison late last year after serving most of a 15-year sentence,
worked behind bars as a farmer, carpenter and educational aide.
The other, serving a life sentence, has worked in a prison kitchen and as a tutor at a state prison
near Tucson, according to prison records.
Levey, however, dedicated himself to fighting for the rights of crime victims and their family
members. First, he was an adviser to victims in then-Gov. Janet Napolitano's office; then, he was
named director of the Office of Victim Services in the Arizona Attorney General's Office. This year,
he became executive director of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children Inc.
The group is expected to draw 350 to 400 relatives of murder victims to Phoenix this week for its
annual national conference. As Levey's membership suggests, the support group and the
conference it sponsors are designed for more than parents who have lost their children.
Scheduled events at the national conference include workshops specifically tailored for couples
and siblings, covering topics such as how to prepare for a parole hearing and what to do when a
child's lifestyle is judged.
One session is dedicated specifically to trauma's impact on the brain.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect for survivors, however, is simply knowing they are not alone.
"A big part for me and a lot of others is to find a place where you can truly connect with others,"
Levey said. "So much ... is out of our control -- catching the perpetrator, the length of time they get -
- but the one thing we can do is connect with others."
Though he acknowledged that dealing with homicide is different for every person, Levey said family
members often can find solace and healing by meeting others who intimately understand their
plight.
"For me, at least initially, there was no apprehension (about going to a national convention)," he
said.
"I went and felt comfortable because I was able to meet, on a larger scale, other siblings from
around the country. I found it very therapeutic in that sense."
Cont. pg 7
Parents of Murdered Children was started in 1978 and now has nearly 60 chapters in 26 states.

Voices Of Hope
Page 5
Love Gifts
A special thanks to all who have generously donated
in memory of their loved ones.
My Only Wish
Darlene and Lucy Moen in memory of Devin Moen’s Birthday
Nora Ivory in memory of Britta Strom
Michelle Orona
Joan and Jim Lym in memory of Michael Lym
Grief, my sole companion through the rain
Grief stays with me but ease no pain
Grief, the emotion I feel when I hear your
name
Grief, I don't know if I'm still sane
My only wish every time the rain falls
Is that you'll remember that I'm still here
Loving you and waiting for your call
And when the sky begins to clear
I'll still be waiting after all
-Verona Valentine
MN Hope Chapter Board of Directors
Sharon Huberty-Wiggins (Chapter Leader) 651-245-6195
Jim Lym (Co-Leader) 651-484-0336
Chris Dahl (Co-Leader) 612-789-5947
Darlene Moen (Treasurer) 612-840-8522
Joan Lym (Member) 651-484-0336
Frank Baumgardner (Member) 651-224-3114
Phyllis Baumgardner (Member) 651-224-3114
Mike Schumacher (Member) 612-348-5368
If you would like support or have information
on upcoming hearings, trials, or sentencings
please call Jim Lym at 651-484-0336.
If you would like to memorialize
your loved one on the MN Hope
Chapter Memorial Wall, please mail
the following to our P.O. Box.
o Victim’s Name
o Date of Birth
o Date of Death
o
o
2”x3” colored photo
$25 check to POMC/MN Hope
Chapter
The walls are 2’x3’ and consist of
thirty photos each. Underneath
their photo is a brass nameplate
with their name, date of birth, and
date of death. The walls travel to
POMC functions. We currently have
5 panels.
“Justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as
indignant as those who are.”

Page 6
Voices Of Hope
LOVE GIFTS are a living memorial to our children, siblings and grandchildren,
usually given on anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc. There is no charge for
our newsletters or meetings. We depend solely on your contributions.
I wish to make a donation in memory of:
_____________________________________________
Amount Enclosed $ __________________
DOB: ____/_____/_____
Age at Death: ______________
DOD: _____/_____/____
Donated by: ____________________________________
Relationship to: _________________________________
Please make your tax deductible check payable to: POMC Minnesota Hope
Chapter and mail to: PO Box 516, Circle Pines MN 55014
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by
every experience in which you really stop to look
fear in the face. You must do the thing which you
think you cannot do.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Directions to Holy Spirit Church
From I-94:
Exit Snelling Ave and travel south to
Randolph Ave. Turn left on to Randolph.
Holy Spirit is on the south side of the street at
the corner of Randolph and Albert.
From 35E:
Exit Randolph Ave and travel west. Holy
Spirit is located on the south side of the street
at the corner of Randolph and Albert.
Meetings are the 3 rd Friday of every
month
7-9pm
MN Hope Chapter Digital Photo Frame
A very special thanks goes out to the family and loved
ones of Joshua Haglund who generously donated a
digital photo frame to our chapter to help create a very
moving memorial to all our fallen loved ones. It will
be on display at our monthly meetings and any special
functions such as the annual brunch. Below is a
consent form that needs to be completed to have your
loved ones photo included. Please sign and return it to
us by mail or at the next meeting. Include an uncropped
photo of any size. The clearer the picture, the
better. The photo will be returned.
MN Hope Chapter Memorial Digital Photo
Frame
CONSENT FORM
(please print clearly)
I give the Minnesota Hope Chapter of POMC
permission to use my loved one’s photo for
the Memorial Digital Photo Frame that will
be displayed at chapter meetings and
events.
Your Name:_________________________
Loved One’s Name:
__________________________________
DOB___/___/___ DOD___/___/___
Relationship to Loved One:
__________________________________
Address:
__________________________________
City:______________State:___Zip:______
Phone(area code):___________________
Email:_____________________________
Donation included (optional):
$_____________
We are sorry for the circumstances that bring you to POMC, but we hope that we can be of assistance to
you as you work through your grief. You are cordially invited to attend our meetings each month.
Nothing is required of you. There are no dues or fees, and you need not speak a work. Attending your
first meeting takes courage, but most find a comforting network of support, friendship, and
understanding that only those who have “been there” can give.

Voices Of Hope
Page 7
Families cont.…
Parents of Murdered Children was started in 1978 and now has nearly 60 chapters in 26 states.
A visit to a local chapter meeting makes it hard not to be struck by the variety of tragic circumstances that brought
participants together.
At a Phoenix meeting last month, participants whose family members were killed discussed in detail what had
happened to their loved ones.
As with every such meeting, there was a wide array of emotions, from sadness and mourning to anger and frustration
with the workings of the justice system.
All knew the particulars of the crimes and where the accused or convicted murderers stood in the legal system -- if
they had been caught.
Levey's group exists to support all of those people, he said, and anyone else who has received the knock on the
door or a phone call with the life-altering news that a loved one was dead.
Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, an Arizona State University researcher and professor, started a support group for parents who
have lost their children after her infant daughter died in 1994.
Cheyenne Cacciatore would have turned 18 years old last month. Joanne Cacciatore spent that day like she has
spent most every day for the past 16 years: working with other parents whose children have died. She has become
an expert in the biological effects of surviving traumatic experiences.
The effects on the brain of dealing with a traumatic incident are very real, she said.
Allowing strangers to form bonds with others who share in those unique circumstances is one of the most important
aspects of gatherings such as the Parents of Murdered Children event in Phoenix, Cacciatore said.
"The research suggests that one of the most important things for someone who has suffered from a traumatic loss is
good social and community support -- that is one of the most salient predictive variables in the research for positive
outcomes for families," she said. "Most often, the underlying theme (from attendees) is they feel connected to others.
They don't feel so alone, they don't feel so crazy, and that is really incredibly helpful. There's a type of kindred
fellowship that occurs in a gathering like this."
That fellowship, and the tragic events that fostered it, can also lead to new callings.
After her 83-year-old father was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in her Scottsdale home in January 2009, Laurinda
Cumming decided to get a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Now, she is eyeing a master's degree in forensic
psychology.
"As I got into it, the more I enjoyed it -- and it also was an outlet for me to escape. It was a good part of my healing
to go through, as well," she said. "I think that if you have any heart and soul, I don't want to see other women or
victims go through what I went through after the event."
Levey similarly threw himself into the cause as a way to honor his brother's memory and to improve the rights of
victims.
For Cacciatore, it was the only way to exist.
"I made a vow to my dead child that if I survived, I would change things," Cacciatore said.
"This is not an act of nobility for me, this is an act of survival. Either I channeled my energy into something beautiful
and positive, or the pain would have killed me."

Page 8
Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.
Minnesota Hope Chapter
P.O. Box 516
Circle Pines, MN 55014
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 334
Circle Pines, MN
Voices Of Hope
Address service requested
MN Hope Chapter
Upcoming Events
Meeting: Friday Aug 17 th
Sept. 21 st
Newsletter Mailing List Update
This is an effort to update our mailing list. We are asking for your cooperation.
To continue receiving the POMC, MN Hope Chapter VOICES OF HOPE
newsletter, please fill out the information below and return.
IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM OUR
MAILING LIST. We hope you will continue to want to receive the newsletter
and future mailings. Thank you, MN Hope Chapter Board of Directors.
Name:____________________________________ Newsletter Donation: $____________
(optional)
Address:_____________________________City:_____________St:_____Zip:__________
Home Phone: (____)_____________ Work Phone: (____)____________
Permission to send info to POMC National: Yes:______ No:______
Email Address:______________________________________________________________
Do you wish to remain on the mailing list Yes____ No____ If yes, by Mail____Email___
Survivor/ Professional/ Both If Professional, Company Name:_____________________
(circle one)
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
Pomc.com/minnesota
Victim’s Name:_____________________________________________________________
Last First Middle
DOB:____/____/____ DOD:____/____/____ Age at time of death:____
Your relationship to the Victim:_______________________________________________________
Mail to: POMC, inc. MN Hope Chapter, PO Box 516, Circle Pines, MN 55104
Or email us at: rawiggins@comcast.net