Cedar Rapids church has close connection to Ankeny tragedy

A crash more than 100 miles away is causing grieving here in eastern Iowa. The three-car crash in Ankeny late last week left two young children dead and their mother, Heather DeJoode, in critical condition.

DeJoode grew up in Cedar Rapids. She's now in critical condition following the crash that killed her five-year-old son Carson and five-month-old daughter Claire. Her three year-old-son Chase was also hurt. Police say a pick-up truck ran a stop sign and slammed into the DeJoode's minivan.

Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids has a close connection to the deadly car crash in Ankeny. The church's longtime deacon Mark Eccles and his wife Sandy lost two young grandchildren. Now they're praying the kids' mother, who is also their own daughter, recovers in a Des Moines hospital.

“Heather is in pretty serious condition. She has survived two reconstructive surgeries, a pelvic reconstruction and a jaw reconstruction,” says Rev. Martha Rogers of Christ Episcopal Church.

Heather and her husband Troy are raising their children in Ankeny, but she grew up in Cedar Rapids and was married at Christ Episcopal. A family friend, and Heather's former babysitter, says she is a strong woman with a wonderful personality.

“She is a lovely little thing. She is their only child, and she is such a joy for them,” says Ann Gerdts.

Heather has been unconscious since the accident and has no idea what happened or that two of her three children will be buried this weekend. Reverend Rogers says the family is overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, but they are thankful for the outpouring of support.

If we want to honor this family in their time of chaos and tragedy, we need to honor them by holding gently to our lives and their lives and just be appreciative of every moment we have,” says Reverend Rogers.

Reverend Rogers also says Heather's husband Troy really wants to emphasize organ donation. He donated organs of his two children who died, and he says that has helped six other people.

Christ Episcopal Church is accepting donations for the family.

-- Claire Kellett, KCRG-TV9