This has been a tragic week for west central Minnesota school communities - Dawson-Boyd and Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - with the deaths of two well-known students.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families and their school communities in this time of loss.
The Dawson-Boyd community is mourning the death of Michael Chinedu Anyasike, 18, of Dawson. He was found about 12 hours after fleeing an underage drinking party as law enforcement arrived. He was pronounced dead Sunday after being located and being transported by ambulance to the Madison Hospital.
The ACGC community is mourning the death of Zachary Joseph Junkermeier, 18, of Lake Lillian. He was killed Tuesday in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Crested Butte area near Cook City, Mont. He was found about an hour after being swept away about 6-feet under the snow near the toe of the avalanche debris field. Rescuers performed CPR, but could not revive him.
Both young men were seniors at their respective schools and were active in athletics and school activities.
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These young men will be missed by all in their life - parents, siblings, classmates and friends.
Coping with sudden death is always difficult and painful, it is even more so when it involves young people. The loss is disruptive for all. Grievers face feelings of physical and emotional shock, bewilderment, anxiety and loss.
There is no easy answer to these feelings during sudden deaths. These families and communities need the support of many as they deal with this tragic loss.
The funeral for Anyasike will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.
The funeral for Junkermeier will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Atwater-Cosmos-Gove City gymnasium in Grove City.
