Tersinar, Maddeson E.

Maddeson E. Tersinar, 7, of 3495 26th Ave., Marion, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, following a seven-month courageous battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Marion with Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, and after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Surviving to honor her memory are her parents, Amy and Kory Tersinar of Marion; sisters, Kendall Tersinar of Marion and Josie Tersinar of Springville; her father, Larry D. Billmeyer Jr. (Becky Kennicker) and his daughter, Brittani, of Dubuque; grandparents, Edward and Charlene Staskal of East Dubuque, Jerry and Gwen Tersinar of Marion and Larry and Cathy Billmeyer of Dubuque; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Maddeson was born April 3, 2002, in Dubuque, Iowa. She was a student at Indian Creek Elementary School in Marion. Maddeson's favorite color was lime green. She also loved horses and grandpa Jerry's sauerkraut. Maddeson enjoyed playing with her friends at school, going to Kernels baseball games, fishing with her “Daddy Kory,” reading books to her baby sister Kendall, and playing softball. Maddeson's greatest passion was drawing. She loved drawing anything from rainbows to re-creating her own “Starry Night' by Van Gogh and “Water Lillies” by Monet. One of her works of art was displayed at Mount Mercy College's Children's Art Exhibit in Cedar Rapids. Maddeson's dream was to go to Sea World. Through the amazing work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sea World and the U of I hospital and staff, Maddeson's dream became a reality last Wednesday when Sea World held a live personalized Shamu show via television where Maddeson and the animal trainers interacted. Maddeson's school principal Tina Monroe said, “Maddeson fought with a spirit and composure that was inspiration to all and her life had a profound impact on her teachers, fellow students, and their parents.”

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Tersinar family on the Web page,    under obituaries.