Update and thank you from Rogan family

Two and a half months ago we lost our father and husband. I never could have imagined how God would take care of us. Through many generous donations, gifts, and prayers I can see God working through his people. Even though we have suffered a great tragedy and loss we have been blessed in many ways. Thank you to everyone who has helped us in any way, big or small. Through the financial support we have received, I will be able to stay home with our children. This is what Mike provided me our entire marriage.

The children and I have kept up our normal activities. We planted our garden, are raising two pigs, our oldest is taking Drivers Ed, and the older kids are getting ready to participate in summer camp. We also plan on going on vacation to a place Mike loved taking us.

There are many challenges for me each day as a single mother. The loss I feel for my best friend and protector is great. But I know God loves us and will take care of us. The many prayers said for us and Mike's soul have been a comfort and a source of strength.

Thank you and God bless,
Niki, Anne, Jon, Claire, Ben, Luke, Jacob, Gemma, and Blaise Rogan

GoFundMe: Rogan Family 

Hundreds attend Mike Rogan wake and funeral

On Friday night, we attended Mike's visitation. It was scheduled from 4:00 to 8:00, but except for a break to gather and say a rosary for Mike, the line of hundreds of visitors -- often extending far outside of the funeral home -- continued from around 3:30 until nearly 9:00 PM.

Yesterday, we went to Mike's funeral, which was attended by approximately 500 people -- likely the greatest number of people the church has held in many years. Over 50 people sang in the choir, both during Mass and at the grave site. A dozen Souls of Honor veterans (https://www.facebook.com/soulsofhonor) attended the Mass and joined the escort from the church to the burial. During the burial, the VFW Post 6352 of Stratford, WI, conducted military rites. Afterwards, lunch was served in Mike's honor to several hundred guests.

Friday evening, we spoke to Niki, who said she was amazed by everyone's generosity and expressed how grateful she was that she wouldn't have to worry about money in the near future. Our sincerest thanks to all of you!

more at GoFundMe: Rogan Family

Update on Rogan family; some nice media coverage

We continue to be blessed by an unexpectedly generous number of donations and prayers. When we began the campaign fund, we had no idea how rapidly it would grow, how deeply people would be touched, or how much you would be moved to give. We are truly edified to see God's grace at work in this amazing way.

Many of you have asked about details of Mike's funeral this Saturday and it will include a VFW honor guard in memory of his service with the US Marine Corps. Some family members are also in the process of working with us to make a poster for the visitation which will have many of the sympathies and prayers that you have extended to the Rogan family written on it.

As we have mentioned to several interviewers over the past few days, Mike was a strong man who led by service and example. Thank you for honoring Mike's life by your service to his family. Thank you all!

GoFundMe: Mike and Niki Rogan Family

Visitation
Friday, 4/24/2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford, WI
Saturday, 4/25/2015 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Oratory, Wausau

Service (Solemn Requiem Mass)
Saturday, 4/25/2015 at 10:00 at St. Mary's Oratory, Wausau, WI

Full details of funeral and obituary:
http://www.rembsfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=476394#/obituaryInfo

Relevant Radio (12-minute interview and follow-up calls begin continue through 24:00 of this audio file):
http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/MA%20Archive/MA20150422c.mp3

WAOW Channel 9 TV news coverage(several videos):
Get this!

In an email, leaders at GoFundMe say, “the campaign in question is certainly one of GoFundMe's quickest growing campaigns of all time.”

WAOW also interviews Canon Aaron Huberfeld, a really nice piece! 

Update on the Rogan and Kelly families

The death of Mike Rogan has gotten national and international coverage now.  A few articles:

USA Today coverage:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/20/father-of-8-was-familys-hero/26100137/

Daily Mail UK coverage:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3047936/Devoted-father-former-marine-42-killed-rushing-pregnant-wife-hospital-birth-eighth-child-deer-crashed-car-windshield.html

The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia coverage:
http://www.smh.com.au/world/father-killed-in-crash-on-the-way-to-birth-of-eighth-child-20150421-1mpo6r.html

An update from the GoFundMe page:

We and some family members were interviewed by the Associated Press and three local news media outlets earlier today. The Rogan's story was picked up by national media and is now being shared worldwide! We will continue to update the page below with the latest media coverage.

We also learned of Mike's funeral details today, which are contained with his obituary in a link below.

Again, today, many of you have asked us to raise the bar. With prayerful humility, we are doing so once more. In addition to taking care of their immediate financial needs, the goal of $500,000 will allow Niki to have the option to continue homeschooling their children, as Mike would have wanted.

The family has surpassed the $300,000 mark which is just fantastic!

GoFundMe: Mike and Niki Rogan Family

Also in the even more frustrating case of Peter Kelly, I found a detailed article in The Asanti County News on the details of the murder investigation.  I hope many can also reach out to support and pray for the Kelly family.  It makes me incredibly angry, which it ought to do, I can't imagine the devastation the family must feel.

The latest update shows that they have not yet reached the $100,000 mark.  There have been less updates, as I'm sure the family searches for answers after this great injustice and it appears some commenters have even "chosen sides" over who was in the wrong in the events that lead to Peter's murder(safe to say; it's the guy doing the stabbing).  I hope people can also contribute to the support of the widowed Kelly family and their five young children, and perhaps at least leave a comment of assured prayers and support for the victims in this tragedy.

GoFundMe: Peter and Christie Kelly Family

Update on Rogan family from Wausau, Baby Blaise baptized

Baby Blaise Killian was baptized yesterday! The picture above was taken afterwards at a friend's house where we spent several hours with Niki and her family. Niki expressed heartfelt gratitude to all of you.

Your generosity is both humbling and awe-inspiring. We have now covered the family's immediate needs -- van, funeral, and medical expenses.

We have been encouraged by many of you to increase our goal towards building a financial foundation to allow Niki to remain home to raise her children over the coming years. With immense humility and gratitude, we are doing so now. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

 GoFundMe: Mike and Niki Rogan Family

Mike's obituary (details not yet available):
http://www.rembsfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=476394

Father of 7 dies on way to deliver 8th child in Wausau, prayers and plea for funds for widow homeschooling mother of 8!

Our long-time friends from church, Mike and Niki Rogan, were driving to the hospital early this morning [4/17/2015] with their seven children, in anticipation of welcoming an eighth child into their beautiful family.

On the way, an oncoming car hit a deer which was thrown into the Rogans' vehicle. Mike did not survive the accident. Niki and the children are recovering, but will be okay. Niki gave birth to their son, Blaise, hours after the accident.

Niki is a stay-at-home mom and homeschools her children who range in age from newborn to 15 years.

We have learned that Mike only had minimal life insurance, and that the family will have medical bills. In addition, we would like to strive to cover funeral costs and to establish a short-term safety net for the family.

Please help us reach out and support this family in their time of profound loss. Prayers are also much appreciated. We will be transferring all money collected directly to Niki and her family.

Dominic and Cecilia Gruetzmacher
Wausau, WI

I found out that the Rogan family are members at St. Mary's Oratory in Wausau run by the Institute of Christ the King.

Update: Mike's funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 25, at St. Mary's Oratory in Wausau, WI: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/wausau/

GoFundMe: Fund for Widowed New Mother of 8

Update 2(4/20): 
Wausau Daily Herald news coverage:http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/local/2015/04/20/thousands-raised-for-stratford-crash-victim-michael-rogan-family/26070195/

Minneapolis Star Tribune news coverage:
http://www.startribune.com/nation/300664311.html

Update 3(4/21): National and International Media Coverage