Members of Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville are mourning the loss of three parishioners who died recently in a farm accident.
Curt Boesl and his 11-year-old son, Alex, were overcome by toxic fumes in the grain silo they were working in Dec. 21.
Steven Boesl, a retired firefighter who worked on the maintenance committee at the parish, died at the scene after trying to rescue his brother and nephew. Curt, a trustee at the parish and an assistant fire chief, died the next morning. Alex, who served the parish as an altar server, passed away Dec. 27, according to his CaringBridge webpage.
The Boesl brothers and their families have been very active in the parish community.
“They often worked with other parish members in a community effort to bring about a better place for everyone to experience God,” said Father Peter VanderWeyst, pastor of Our Lady of Seven Dolors. “They truly understood the communal significance of Church. They just wanted to be part of it and wanted others to be part of it as well,” he said.
Alex’s aunt, Amy Revering, kept family and friends updated on his condition through his CaringBridge page. Hundreds of comments with prayers for healing were posted on the page.
“Although a miracle didn’t happen here for us, eternal life in the House of God is the most beautiful of all miracles,” Revering wrote on the page Dec. 26. “Pray for Alex’s family, as we prepare to say goodbye to our sweet boy. Through our faith, we have no doubt that Alex will be united with his dad in Heaven, as Curt waits for him with arms wide open,” she said.
“Our hearts go out to Kim [Boesl], Julie [Boesl] and their families,” Father VanderWeyst said. “We are members of the Body of Christ. The Boesls are members of us. We are a living Church. We support one another in many different ways, but most profoundly, we love.”
The family donated Alex’s organs to help give life to others.
“As others wait for a miracle, Alex’s heart of gold would want them to receive it. Alex’s Christmas miracle is giving life to others. His giving legacy will live on,” Revering said.
Visitations will be held Monday at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Church in Millerville. Visitation for Alex and Curt is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a prayer service at 2 p.m. and for Steven from 3:30 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial for all three will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with visitation starting at 10 a.m.
Photos courtesy of Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria.