The Oehmen Family | Angela and Joseph Oehmen | Source: facebook.com/angela.oehmen | facebook.com/kali.scheeringa
When an Indiana mom of three left her house one morning to drop her children to school, she didn't know her life would end a few minutes later. An unexpected incident turned the family's life upside down.
Most parents do everything they can to provide their children with the best things in life. They pray that their little ones will experience every joy and try their best to keep their babies from harm's way.
The mother in today's story wished the same for her children. She loved her babies and could do anything to protect them, but what happened that fateful morning was something she wasn't prepared for.
The Family
After completing her education in Valparaiso, Indiana, Angela Oehmen made her career as a certified nurse assistant. Besides working at a rehabilitation center, the kind woman volunteered at Valparaiso Baptist Church.
When Angela thought she was ready to embark on a new journey in her life, she tied the knot with the man she loved the most. Angela married Bryant Oehmen on June 23, 2004, marking the beginning of their beautiful life as a family.
The couple welcomed their babies in the years to follow. Angela loved her children and supported them in every way possible. She often uploaded photos with her three children on Facebook, and her friends never missed a chance to praise the lovely family.
The Drive
"Angie had a bubbly personality and the ability to make anyone laugh," her family said. However, no one knew that they wouldn't be able to laugh at her jokes after a harrowing incident took her life.
It was a typical day for Angela when she sat in her car to drive her children, Joseph and Jacob Oehmen, to school on October 4, 2022. Joseph was sitting in the passenger seat while Jacob was in the backseat.
The 36-year-old mother of three drove on the same route she took daily to drop off her sons. Little did she know that an unexpected incident would change her family's life forever.
The Tragedy
While Angela drove on the highway, a white trailer suddenly separated from a Mack semi-truck in front of her vehicle. Moments later, Angela's car crashed into the trailer's rear end.
Soon, first responders arrived at the scene, but it was too late. Angela and her 14-year-old boy, Joseph, had passed away. However, Jacob was still breathing, so the authorities moved him to a nearby hospital to treat his injuries.
The Investigation
The authorities closed a part of the highway while investigating the cause of the crash. They identified the semi-truck driver as David Sutton, a 47-year-old resident of Fulton.
According to the authorities, Sutton was at a truck stop before his truck's trailer separated. They also added that the incident happened outside the truck stop's entrance.
The Devastated Family
Bryant and other family members were devastated after learning about the incident. Instead of having a good time with his wife and children, Bryant recalled the memories he had made with Angela and Joseph. He said:
"Angela was my soul mate and my best friend. She was the greatest mother a kid could ask for."
"Angie was a loving and devoted mother who put her children above all else," Angela's family said. Meanwhile, Bryant's cousin, Heather Stockton, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family during this difficult time.
The Support
The fundraiser aimed to collect $30,000, and more than $10,000 have been raised as of October 10. Meanwhile, people gathered on the South Central Baseball Field, where a vigil was held to honor Angela and Joseph. Bryant said:
"I just want to thank everyone for everything. I absolutely love this community."
"Our students and school community are saddened by this loss and struggling to comprehend," the principal of Joseph's high school said to parents. The tragedy left everyone heartbroken.
Love and Prayers
Bryant's uncle, Pete R. Oehmen, wrote a heartfelt post on Facebook to express his feelings about Angela and her children.
He recalled the time he spent with them and described them as a "wonderful family." He added:
"I pray for the family to be strong and hope that time will help heal the pain."
Losing family members is something no one deserves to experience. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryant, his children, friends, and family mourning the unexpected death of Angela and Joseph. We hope their souls rest in peace.
Click here to read another story about a 13-year-old Indiana boy who saved other people's lives after being hit by an SUV.
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