Madison Sonja Van Leeuwe was born on December 25, 2009, in Canby, MN to Eric and Sonja (Rost) Van Leeuwe. In her short, extraordinary life, she has accomplished many things and touched countless people. During her many extensive stays at multiple hospitals, Madison has helped to initiate several ground-breaking treatments and processes not only at Mayo but also other facilities around the world. On May 8th, the day before her baptism, Madison became an honorary Mayo pediatric flight team member and received her wings. She will be remembered for her bright blue eyes, beautiful long eyelashes, wonderful smile, and precious baby sounds and actions. Some of her most important achievements were her unending strength, unconditional love, and strong ability to bring people together. Madison enjoyed smiling, listening to music, and interacting with her brightly-colored foil balloons.
After multiple trips on aircraft and ambulances to the hospital, several surgeries, numerous doctor consults, and a long battle with her difficult condition, she died on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at St. Maryâs Hospital in Rochester due to her rare metabolic disorder. She is survived by her parents, Eric and Sonja Van Leeuwe of rural Marshall; grandparents, Randy and Cathy Van Leeuwe and Keith and Janice Rost; great-grandparents, John and Agnes Coudron, Thelma Myhre, and June Rost; Aunts and Uncles, Jeremy and Mika Van Leeuwe (Madisonâs Godparents), April Van Leeuwe, Heather Rost, Ethan Rost, and Tyson Rost.
We are thankful to have been blessed by you, Madison, our Christmas gift, who has given us so much. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.