Remembering Jennie

Sweet Sarah

Sarah and Tony Brown welcomed our entire extended family into their home. When they heard we needed housing in the area, they rolled out the red carpet. All of their children gave up their rooms as wells as beds to perfect strangers because their mom said we were family. Sarah you have a servant heart in the truest sense of the word.

You housed at least 4 guests and as many as 20 through that entire heartbreaking 2 week period. But you didn't just provide your home, you provided practical help with dinners and fun activities for the kids and adults to keep our mind off things when we could. You provided a sweet shoulder to cry with and essential help with this blog. You stayed up late each night to chat and play and got up early each morning to help tend Hartley when we needed help.

You tended our Dad when we needed to leave him and loved our Mom as your own, not just as an Auntie. You organized help from your ward in the form of beds, food and support. Your ward kindly provided several large group meals including one after the funeral. All of this without us even being a part of your ward. Sarah I love you, you are so dear. We will always share a deep bond created through this time of pain. I'm grateful the Lord provided so much comfort for our family through yours. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Amazing Fort Collins

When Richard, Ken, and the kids arrived home late that first night, they were welcomed home. Anticipating not only the need for privacy at that difficult time by not being present, they left a trail of warmth and love to greet the tired travelers. The house had been freshly vacuumed and there were air mattress set-up in anticipation of family needing extra beds. Fresh flowers were lovingly picked and arranged from Jennie's "garden buddy" who also provided many more for the Memorial later that weekend, as well as a hot meal prepared ahead and warming on the stove.

Neighbors were waiting to "drop" by and invite the kids swimming, and offer love and support at that crucial time. The memorial service on Saturday was especially sweet and spiritual. Members of the ward shared so much with this sweet family preparing a special video to remember her always (we are working on uploading it soon) and a wonderful meal for friends and family. The speakers were inspired and the Spirit was with us all.

When we arrived home after the service, angels had placed cards along the drive all the way up to the front door. Sweet children drew pictures and shared memories as well as kind friends sharing thoughts, memories and special moments with Jennie. It all means so much to us, we know this little family is in the right hands there in Fort Collins. Thanks is not enough, but we express it to you all sincerely.

Card's full of love

She's an angel

July 7, 2012

Teagan & Hartley

Donations are greatly appreciated on behalf of Jennie's two beautiful kiddos, Teagan & Hartley. They were the light of Jennie's life and they will need all the love and hugs we can all send their way. Thank you for all that you are doing on their behalf. The friends and neighbors in Fort Collins have really reached out with loving arms and we are so appreciative of their continued support.

Memorial Video

Natalie Steele from Richard and Jennie's ward, is putting together a picture and video slideshow this week to be viewed at the Memorial Service.

Please send me any digital pictures of Jennie and her family that you would like included. We need the pictures by Wednesday of this week. Any photo can be scanned at a print shop or some home printers have color scanners as well, this will turn your printed photo into a digital photo. Please send to nataliesteel@gmail.com

Meeting up with Richard

The following post is written by Ken, Jennie's brother. Ken was the first family member to meet up with Richard after the accident.


It wasn't coincidence that I haven't found a job yet. I graduated in May with a Master's degree in Architecture.I had just spent the week at boy scout camp with my oldest son Jake. We arrived home Saturday morning and I unpacked the truck and put all the gear away. I was tired from the drive home and the short nights at camp. So I decided to take a nap. An hour and a half later Mom called  to tell me about the accident that Richard and Jennie were in. Mom was looking for a way to get Karla a flight up and since my wife Polly works for the airlines they wanted to know what I could do. We really did not have any way to help Karla in this case but I realized that I could go with Karla to be with Jennie and Richard.  We planned on arriving in SLC about 9:30 pm and then driving 3 hours out to Rock Springs where the accident happened. This was about 2 pm  around 3 hours after the accident it was 1pm my time.  After checking flights Polly found I could leave on an earlier flight than Karla and could make a second flight clear to Rock Springs by 9pm. So I called Karla and told her to go to be with Jennie when she got into SLC and that I would go straight to Richard. I flew standby to SLC but the flight to Rock Springs was on a little plane with not many seats.  I felt I needed to just buy a ticket even though there seemed to be extra seats to catch standby. Without a job I was concerned with finances but I needed to get to Richard so it felt like the right thing to do. It was good because the flight filled up and they were asking for volunteers  to give up their seats.


Polly had set up a rental car to be picked up at 9 pm when the flight arrived. After arriving at the Rock Springs airport, the thirty or so passengers disappeared from the airport lobby in about two minutes and I was left alone. There were two rental car companies with a counter there at the airport but both seemed deserted. The company I had my reservation with had a sign indicating that they closed at 5 pm on Saturdays. I wondered how I could get a reservation for 9 pm when the place shut down at 5. Well the other rental agency was empty but no sign said it was closed and there was a hand written note sitting on the counter that said to call Vern with a Cell number. It said he was just in town washing a car (the small airport was about 5 miles outside of Rock Springs). It was about 9:30 now and so I just called. An old man answered and indicated that the counter was closed. I told him my situation. He said "I guess I can come and open it for you. But it'll take 20 minutes for me to get there."   I gratefully accepted his offer. He told me that he had accidentally left the note on the counter from earlier in the day with his cell number on it. He also failed to put up the sign saying the counter was closed and the times it was open. Before long this little old man with a cane came hobbling into the airport and got me a car to find Richard. I then drove another 30 minutes or so to find Richard. He was in shock and just grateful to Sally for taking his little family in for the night. He slept on a strangers couch and I on the floor next to him. We were happy for a quiet comfortable place. The next morning we picked up a few things from the tow company and drove the 3 hours into Salt Lake City to see Jennie.I had a lot of help and inspiration to be available and able to get to Richard so quickly. Richard is such a great man and Jennie loved him so much. I am glad that I had the help I did so that I could help Richard. Later, Richard told Ken that he had never been happier to see a familiar face. 

Love and Support-A Note from the Family

We are so thankful for the love and support from everyone. We have been able to feel your love and prayers on a daily basis and have been immensely blessed during this very difficult time. We will be having a memorial service for Jennie in Fort Collins, Colorado on Saturday, July 14. The service will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will be held at the LDS Church, 1400 Lynnwood Drive. We welcome any family, friends and acquaintances of Jennie at this service.

Goodbye My Love

We said goodbye to Jennie last night. The lord gave Richard confirmation that it was time to let her go home to our Father in Heaven during the last couple of days of her life. After the Dr.'s gave us the test results that her brain injury was indeed very grave, yesterday afternoon, we knew it was time. I knew that looking at her sweet but failing body I had been in denial, she has been hangin around just for her loved ones to accept the truth, she had been called back to her home in heaven. Last night at 10:00 Jennie took her last breaths on Earth. Jennie, the love we share is eternal. I'm gonna do my best to live my life in a better more purposeful way. I want to worthy to make it where I know you are at. You were an amazing example to me and my family. I love you fiercely and I know you love me right back. The 4th of July was her favorite holiday, Richard said she liked it better than Christmas. When Jennie took her last breaths their was a firework that lit the sky through the hospital window. It felt like she was letting us know that she is happy and it will all be okay. We'll be together again someday. She will continue to love and guide her sweet family from above. I feel the Lord has been walking with Teagan because he is still smiling and singing and telling us she will get her owies fixed in the resurrection. He's a little sober, but he says he's happy. She gave him and Hartley enough love, an amazing amount, in those few short years to last them through their lives. I promise I will love Richard and those babies forever for you Jen. I love you forever.

The Rest of the Story

Hey Danny from Oregon, thank you so much for contacting us. We want to know how you got Ken's number in Mesa, we are curious to know how you connected all the dots. You and your crew not only save the forests, you save lives!! We will forever be grateful for your timely help. The Harker and Cornwall families.

Another Tender Mercy

Dear Ken,

Here is something that I thought you would like to pass on to Richard and all the family:

Early on Sunday morning, 1 July 2012, I got a call asking for "Mrs. Harker".  At first I thought the caller was asking for Polly, Ken Harker's wife, so I explained that she was at work.  I asked if I could take a message for her.  When the caller began to explain why he was calling, it began to dawn on me just who he was.

His name is Danny Brown.  He is a firefighter with a Lakeview, Oregon Wild Fire Crew.  He said that he and his crew had been released from fighting fires in Wyoming and they were on the road, heading back to Oregon last Saturday.  Up ahead about a half mile, they saw a big dust cloud.  As they came nearer, they realized the dust was what had been kicked up by a car accident.  They pulled up to the scene and saw Jennie on the ground.  Someone had covered her with a coat or blanket, but from her position they knew she was in bad shape.  The firefighters are trained in first aid.  Danny said he could tell that Jennie wasn't breathing.  He was able to clear her airways and she began breathing.  They did whatever they could do to assist at the accident scene until the ambulance arrived.  Danny said that he and his crew had been worried sick about Jennie and her family all week after they returned home, but hadn't been able to get any information.  He just wanted to know what had happened to the family, and especially to Jennie, after they left.  I shared with him all I could about her condition, and that Richard and the children were in Salt Lake with Jennie.  I also told him about Jennie's blog and the updates the family members are sharing there.

I didn't think to ask Danny how he got our phone number here in Mesa.  I'm just glad he did.  I told him how much the family would appreciate knowing that he had been there at just the right time, and helped save her life.  I told him that they were angels that Heavenly Father had sent to be with Jennie and Richard when they were needed desperately.  As has been said before, there are no coincidences, only tender mercies sent from heaven to comfort us when we are in trouble.

Love to you all,

Barbara Johnson  (Polly's Mom) in Mesa, AZ

Nine Days Later

When we arrived at the hospital yesterday (Sunday), the nurse lowered the pain medication, which then lowered Jennie's heart rate to more normal levels. She expressed that the the pain meds can cause a form of sedation when they are too high. The family met with the Trauma PA last evening and were updated on Jennie's status. They expressed concern that Jennie had not been responding as they had hoped. Today Jennie had a minor positive improvement that seems hopeful. The nurse pinched Jennie in both her left and right armpits, which she responded to with arm movement. We have not seen any purposeful movement since the first night. There will be a neurological test administered  today called SSEP in which they place sensors from her wrist to her shoulder and spine and head. This test measures the response from her hands to her brain. We will get results tomorrow. Its not definitive but hopefully will give us some indication of her condition. Jennie's brother John and his wife Ashlie have joined our vigil and we will swap family members as needed. Richard's brother and sister-in-law will arrive as relief when Jennie's siblings need to return to their families. Keep sending your prayers and love, it's greatly needed and provides comfort to us all.

Rock Springs Rescue

Immediately after the accident Richard was only able to find Jennie's new phone, his was no where to be found. He found one familiar number, Jennie's mom Sherril, dialed her then Jennie's  phone batteries died. Sherril received a message and immediately returned the call. Richard expressed a need for the kids to be taken care of, he was injured and admitted for further testing. Mom knew her sister Amber had a daughter that lived in Wyoming and made a quick call. Amber received the call and remembered her Relief Society president was originally from Rock Springs, Wyoming. Her Relief Society president was at that moment talking to her daughter that resided in Rock Springs. She gave Amber her daughters number who then gave it to Mom. Mom called this wonderful lady and left a message which was returned within minutes. Mom met Sally on the phone and explained our great distress for those darling babies and Richard alone in the hospital at this tragic time. Wonderful Sally who is 8 1/2 months pregnant with a sick 4 year old said we are ready for them. I have a crib ready and waiting, I would be happy to go and pick up those children. When Sally arrived at the hospital the children were not released for a couple hours, she waited patiently outside in her car for their release. Richard and the kids were released together and they were all taken into her home. Sally bathed the kids, and cared for them and tucked them in for the night when Jennie's brother Ken was finally able to arrive late that evening. Sally rounded up new clothes for both kids and replaced car seats and got her husband and ward family involved in gathering the salvageable items from the site of the accident. Sally's love enveloped Richard, Ken and both the kids and soothed them in a time of crisis. We cannot thank her enough for her servant heart. The family wishes to express our thanks and love to her and to her entire Rock Springs Ward family.