Collision on Highway 2 claims life of Grand Forks woman
East Grand Forks Police Officer John Grabanski directs traffic on Highway 2 Thursday morning at the site of the fatal accident involving a Peterbilt semi and a Chevrolet Equinox A two-vehicle collision just outside East Grand Forks on Thursday morning claimed the life of a Grand Forks woman. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on August 7 at the intersection of westbound County Road 17 and northbound Highway 2. Investigators say a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 67-year-old Kathy May Wimpfheimer of Grand Forks, was traveling west on County Road 17 when it collided with a northbound 2010 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer on Highway 2. The Equinox came to rest in the east ditch, while the semi overturned and came to rest in the median of Highway 2. Wimpfheimer died at the scene. The driver of the semi, 27-year-old Tyler James Shaver of Red Lake Falls, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Patro
Miss Minnesota Scholarship organization celebrates local competition
by: Naomi Dunavan
Baby Caleb smiled at them, twice, during those precious few hours. Opened his eyes, too. They were dark – maybe a little brown like mom’s, maybe a little hazel like dad’s. He was in their arms now and that’s all that mattered. “We sat there and just admired him,” Matthew Powers said. Matthew and his wife, Alexis Powers, are experiencing what occurs once in about 4,600 births. Their son Caleb Matthew, had anencephaly, the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. This occurs during embryonic development. Weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces., Caleb was born July 16. He lived seven hours. In May, Alexis graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in physical therapy. Matthew is an electrician with Century Electric, Grand Forks. January 24th of this year was to be a joy-filled day for this young couple. Their first baby was on the way, and Alexis, accompanied by her parents, Julie and Craig Nice, Ardoch, N.D., had gone to Fargo for her 12-week checkup and first ultrasound. That day she would see their baby’s image, that night they could tell the world their exciting news. Julie Nice was in the ultrasound room with her daughter. Caleb’s heartbeat was strong, “and I could see he was almost jumping in her belly,” Julie said. Alexis noticed her baby’s hands and feet looked OK but, “something didn’t look right with his head specifically,” she said. Upon completion of the ultrasound, the technician’s bluntness unsettled Alexis even more. “I’m going to get the doctor,” Alexis was told. “Something doesn’t look right with his brain.” A maternal fetal medical doctor was deeply sorry to give them the diagnosis of terminal anencephaly. He said the baby may be stillborn or could live seconds, minutes, hours. Alexis could carry the infant full-term, or she could terminate the pregnancy. Alexis also saw her OBGYN who echoed all she’d heard from the first doctor including terminating the pregnancy. “Absolutely not,” Alexis told him. “That is not even a choice. I don’t want that mentioned again.” Julie reminded her daughter of their family’s devout Catholic faith. “We have two options,” she told Alexis. “We can be filled with devastation and fear, or we can go through this with thanksgiving and joy. Caleb is alive. He has a strong heartbeat. Let’s be joyful for that. Alexis never said a word, but I looked at her and I knew we were going to take the second option.” Then, Julie added, “Craig and I prayed the Rosary all the way home.” In the meantime, Matthew, at work, was waiting to hear from Alexis. But she didn’t want to give him the news over the phone or by txt message, so she didn’t answer his five or six calls, and she did not call him back. “I had a bunch of different thoughts,” Matthew said. “She either miscarried or there’s some other medical condition.” As he awaited their return, “I was expecting really bad news,” Matthew added. “Then as I sat on the couch with Alexis, Julie was the one who told me.” Alexis adds, “after Mom left, Matthew and I cried for a very long time.” Prayer requests for a miracle for their baby were sent all over the world. “This was how people found out I was pregnant,” Alexis said. As the couple settled into summer, “We lived day by day,” Alexis said. “We didn’t look into the future and didn’t worry about what was to come because Caleb was alive.” His due date was Aug. 5, but doctors recommended Alexis deliver Caleb at 37 weeks and by Cesarean section which would be less traumatic for him. Alexis chose July 16, Feast Day for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, “a saint I look up to,” she said. “Matthew cut the umbilical cord, and we did footprints.” Caleb was baptized and confirmed (via special prayer and the anointing of oil to seal his faith) by The Rev. Kevin Lorsung, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Fargo. Rev. Lorsung also gave Caleb last rites. Several family members later joined the new family in Alexis’ hospital room where Caleb had his first bath. “Matthew did the majority of his bath and Caleb loved it,” Alexis said. “We got him dressed and took pictures in his little isolate. He opened his eyes. We sang Happy Birthday to him, and he made faces at us.” When Caleb’s heart rate went to 30, Alexis asked extended family to leave the room. “We wanted the last little bit as a family of three,” she said. “We wanted to tell Caleb what we wanted to without people looking at us.” Matthew added, “We had 30 minutes. We just told him how much we love him.” After passing, Caleb was placed on a Cuddle Cot (cooling mattress) to preserve his body as it was important to Alexis and Matthew to have an open casket at the funeral. That took place July 24, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. Officiants were The Rev. Brian Moen, The Rev. Lorsung, and The Rev. Joseph Christensen. A memorable event took place after the service. Caleb was the fourth generation in his family to ride on the left fender of a 1969 John Deere 4020 tractor. His casket was placed in a metal frame on the fender and then his “Papa” (Craig Nice) drove him from the church to his final resting place where Matthew placed his tiny casket in the ground. Papa Craig wrote a keepsake message for the family. It part it reads: Caleb was placed on the left fender, the same place I rode with my dad on the same tractor so many years ago. I am proud of Alexis and Matthew for asking me to give Caleb a tractor ride.”