Drew George Meissner

Our sweet baby, Drew George Meissner, was taken up to heaven last week. He was born on May 8, 2015, and was baptized on June 7, 2015, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. He was an amazing little angel with the bluest eyes and strawberry blonde hair and the most winning smile you have ever seen. We were so blessed that God loaned him to us for four wonderful months. And although our family chain here on earth is broken, we look forward to being reunited someday in heaven.

I'll lend you for a while a child of mine," Christ said. "For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead. It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three, but will you, 'til I call him back, take care of him for me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, you'll have his lovely memories of solace in your grief. I cannot promise he will stay - since all from earth return, but there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. I looked the wide world over in search of teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd life's lane, I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain - nor hate Me when I come to you to take him back again?" I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done. For all the many joys he'll bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, and for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay. But should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, we'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Drew is survived by his parents, Andrew and Raelynn Meissner; brother Jacob Meissner; grandparents Loren and Valerie Hoekema, Dave and Kathleen Meissner; great-grandparents Helen Reiter, Laura Meissner, Charles and Eleanor Gass; aunts, uncles and cousins Barry, Becky, Austin and Mason Moyes, Sam and Michele Morgenroth. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial to the following charities: The Ramsey Keller Foundation and the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation: Specifically for the Pediatric Intensive Care Un