Support for Schleef family

We lost our infant son Teddy from a rare lethal diagnosis. Hannah is recovering from a c-section while Jared steps in to care for our four older children, and we're navigating this grief alongside the everyday needs of our family.

The funds will help us cover groceries, childcare, funeral costs, and family memory-making as we move through this time together. Any support means so much to us as we hold our family close and honor our son.

A bit about our son, Teddy:

Our sweet Theodore (Teddy) was born via c-section on Tuesday September 8th at 2:14 pm. He was welcomed into heaven just over four hours later.

Teddy had a lethal form of skeletal dysplasia and we have known for some time that his life would be very short. Carrying Teddy to term has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am so glad that God gave Jared and I the opportunity to be Teddy’s parents and carry him safely and lovingly to Jesus’ arms.

Teddy was baptized immediately, becoming a child of God moments after birth. He was surrounded with love and family at every moment. The biggest answer to our prayers is that Teddy was able to meet and be held by his siblings. The girls read stories with him and sang him sweet lullabies. Benny gave him kisses and exuberant love, full of pride in his role as big brother.

It has been a challenging season of grief and waiting, and we have found a lot of comfort in quietly turning inward and focusing on our family.

Now Teddy is with Jesus, and we are surrounded by transcendent peace and overwhelming grief in equal measure.

We welcome the prayers and love of our friends and family and invite you to praise God with us for Teddy’s short but beautiful life.