avid's Letters ~

Davids last email ~

The Fosston area community was shocked and saddened last week at the death of Fosston High School senior, David Wille, who sustained fatal injuries in a car accident when he was driving home after school.

David had been eastbound Tuesday, April 29, about four miles from Fosston when his 1999 Grand Prix struck the rear of a school bus carrying 35 students. The vehicle veered southward off the road, up a hill, and into a tree. None of the students in the bus were injured.

First Care Emergency Services and the Fosston Fire Department arrived at the crash site within minutes. David was removed from the vehicle by the 'jaws of life' and then taken by ambulance to the hospital in Fosston. He was then airlifted to MeritCare in Fargo.

David died the next day.

The youngest son of Jim and Deb Wille of rural Fosston, David was well known for his easy going good hearted nature.

Students gathered in the high school corridor around David's locker Thursday, leaving farewell messages and consoling each other as they sought ways to say good-bye to their friend.

Several church ministers were in the high school last week to offer support and personal console for the students.

A large group of both youths and adults gathered round the flagpole at the high school for the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1. They joined in a chorus of 'Amazing Grace' and offered prayers for the Wille family.

Afterward, students formed a procession of cars heading eastward along Highway 2 to the scene of the crash. A cross and flowers mark the site.

"It's been tough for these kids," Rich Johnson, Fosston teacher said. "Each one is at a different place with this loss. There's nothing we can really do to carry them through this, except to just be there for them."

The Fosston High School gymnasium was overflowing yesterday, Monday, as the community gathered for the funeral to grieve the loss of David and to offer condolences and support to his endeared family.

David Wille, age 18, of Fosston, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, due to injuries he received from a car accident.

David Alien Wille was born February 14,1985 to parents Jim and Debbie Wille in Fosston, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended school.

David was a senior at Fosston High School, and was active in choir and sports. He was a letterman in football and basketball, and was named to the 2002 All Conference and All Section Football Team for his contribution to his football team's undefeated regular season.

David was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston, where he was baptized, confirmed, and an alter boy.

He enjoyed music, movies, video, games, computer, and spending time with his friends.

David was a fun loving, big hearted boy that everyone enjoyed being-around. He will be deeply missed by all who knew, and loved him.

Survivors include his parents, Jim and Debbie Wille of Fosston; two brothers, Mike of Grand Forks and Tony of Moorhead; grandparents, Clayton and Phyllis Drake of Fargo, and grandfather, Milo Wille and his special friend Kathy Lien of Mahnomen; 14 aunts and uncles; 15 cousins; and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Delores Wille; and aunt, Donna Wille.

Funeral Mass was held Monday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Fosston High School Gymnasium with Father Rick Lambert as presider, and Father Rick Boyd as concelebrant.

Visitation was held Sunday from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston.

Interment of cremains will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of arrangements.

Fosston High School senior David Alien Wille has died of injuries he received in a car accident Tuesday — less than a month before his graduation.

Fellow students were saddened when they received the news about 2 p.m. Wednesday, said Tom Sedler, principal of the high school.

Some 50 seniors in the school have three more weeks before they leave, he said. Prom is May 10. Graduation is May 25. And Wille won’t be there.

"It was really rough-going here the last two hours," Sedler said in an interview late Wednesday afternoon. "It's pretty sad."

Wille died of head injuries from his car accident Tuesday afternoon. He was driving home after school, when his 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix struck a school bus carrying 35 students.

Both the car and the bus were eastbound on U.S. Highway 2, about four miles east of Fosston. The accident took place when the bus tried to turn left at a crossroad. Wille's car struck the bus from behind, left the road and struck a tree, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Wille was not wearing a seat belt. He was taken to the First Care hospital in Fosston before being airlifted to MeritCare in Fargo.

The 35 students were not injured.

Wille, the youngest of three sons in the family, was outgoing, humorous and friendly, Sedler said. "Dave's the kind of kid that everybody likes," he said.

He was on the football and basketball teams at school, and he had plans to go to college after graduation, Sedler said. "When one of your best students is taken from you, that's really sad."

Area pastors came to the school Wednesday morning to provide support services to the high school's 330 students, and they will be at the school today, too. Students wanted to visit the scene of the accident on Highway 2, Sedler said, but the school cautioned them against it.

"It gets to be a sad time now," he said. "We want our kids to be safe."

James and Deborah Wille
38114-430th Street
Fosston, MN 56542

Dear James and Deborah,

My sympathy to you and your family on the sudden death of your son, David. It takes truly special people to look beyond their own grief to consider helping others during such a difficult personal time. Your selfless act of organ donation has given others the hope for healthier and happier lives. The following regards the individuals benefiting from David's and your family's gift of life.

A 52-year-old man received the gift of a liver and kidney transplant. His liver and kidney failure was due to long-term inflammation. He is engaged and they run a ranch. Since the transplant, he is stable and continues his recovery.

The other liver recipient is a 47-year-old man. Hepatitis damaged his liver. Although he remains in critical condition, the physicians are hopeful for a full recovery.

A 36-year-old woman from the Midwest received the gift of a kidney. Her kidneys failed due to high blood pressure disease. She is married and has two school-age boys. Since the transplant, she is stable and continues her recovery. She is grateful that she will no longer need dialysis.

A married 55-year-old man received the gift of a heart transplant. His heart disease was cause by unknown causes. He continues to recover daily after his transplant.

A 54-year-old North Dakota man received a lung transplant. Married, he has two grown sons. Emphysema caused his lung to fail. Since his transplant he has done well and has been discharged from the hospital.

On behalf of the grateful recipients, their families and LifeSource, thank you for your kindness and concern for other people. We hope this information provides you some comfort. If you have any questions about this case, about organ donation, or if you just need to talk, please call me at 1-800-247-4273.

Sincerely,

Karla Jenkins,
Donation Coordinator