Randy Kolder
Roxanne Kolder of Parkersburg brings her extended family and friends to Release & Remember every year. She hasn’t missed an event since its inception, just after her mother, Ivadean Frey, died in 2012. When her husband, Randall (Randy), died in 2016 from a rare brain disorder, and three months later she lost her father, Richard Frey, this event became even more important to her, as all three family members were served by Cedar Valley Hospice.
“There is something so symbolic about the day,” she said. “I’m able to do something meaningful for them and for me. You need to have something to hold onto, this event fulfills all of that for my family and me.”
Every year she attends, she takes a photograph of a butterfly for her home – it has become her “canvas wall.” Her newest photo from 2023 was one she took of a butterfly on a mum.
This event is a family affair for her. Last year, she brought Randy’s brother Bob, and wife Donna. They lost their daughter Tracy Scheib, to breast cancer in 2023. She was 47. It was an emotional day for all of them. Afterwards, the crew went to 4 Queens – a tradition Roxanne started years ago, as it was her husband’s favorite place. She and Randy were married for over 40 years.
“It’s really neat that it means that much to my entire family now after all these years,” added Roxanne. “It says a lot about what you folks do to help families and how you run this event. It is so meaningful for all of us.”
About Randy Kolder
Randy Kolder was only 60 when he died. He had a rare condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease that only 1 in 1 million people get. In February of 2016, he went in for hernia surgery, and within days after, he started feeling pain in his elbows.
The disease progressed rapidly and by Memorial Day, Roxanne placed Randy in the long-term care unit in Grundy Center.
“I knew what to do, so I called Cedar Valley Hospice. They were so great and worked right alongside the staff at the care center,” added Roxanne.
Three weeks later on June 25, Randy died. It was devastating to the family. He was a total family man – loved his grandchildren and never missed a softball game – one of his favorites to watch them participate in. He was also a servant at heart, an elder and deacon at his church, sang in the choir and often lent his skills to the community, whether it was mowing a lawn, painting or landscaping. To his family, friends and all that knew him, he wasn’t defined by his disease, but certainly was 1 in 1 million to all who crossed his path.
Gratefully, Roxanne was not a stranger to utilizing the support of Cedar Valley Hospice. They were there when her mother, Ivadean Frey died in 2012 and when her father, Richard Frey died, also in 2016, only three months after Randy died.
She is very grateful for all Cedar Valley Hospice did for her family. When her husband and father died, Roxanne utilized our grief support. “I was so beside myself, and their way of guiding me was so comforting and supportive,” Roxanne said. “I always felt if there was something I needed, I would call, and they would talk me through it. They grounded and surrounded me.”
About Richard & Ivadean Frey
Roxanne’s parents had been married for 60 years.
“Cedar Valley Hospice was such a comfort to us while Mom was at Allen for her last days… So compassionate and caring, what a difference it made to us in so many ways,” said Roxanne.
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