Lucas' Story

Lucas Hiram Massman was born 6 weeks prematurely on July 21, 2011. Lucas' mother, Teresa Veltkamp, died the next day due to a brain aneurysm. Lucas' father Jake is now caring for his newborn son without his partner who so very much wanted a child. 

Teresa and Jake married a year ago, but have known each other almost their whole lives. They dated for several years when they were younger and then separated, but remained very close. As life moved on for both for both of them, they realized that they were made for each other. They began to plan a wedding and a family and life was just as it should have been. 

Seven months into Teresa's pregnancy things took a terrible turn. Now Teresa has left us and Jake will have to learn how to balance they joy of Lucas with the sadness of losing Teresa. 

Anyone who knows Jake and Teresa can tell you that they are two of the kindest, most loving people you would ever meet. Lots of people say that about lots of people...but it's true for them. The two of them have shown time and time again that they are people of incredible character and integrity. They have amassed an incredible amount of goodwill individually and together. 

A fund has been set up at a Montana local bank for Lucas and Jake to help with the incredible costs of hospital care for both Teresa and Lucas, as well as Jake's need to be with Lucas, Teresa's funeral and estate as well as the Veltkamp-Massman family relying now on only one income. This Indiegogo site is intended to make it as easy as possible for people who wish to do so to help support Jake and Lucas as they get on their feet. Anyone with a credit card or a paypal account or a checkbook can use Indiegogo to donate. Indiegogo take a small percentage to administrate but more than 90% of the funds raised go directly to Jake and Lucas. 

UPDATE for LUCAS:

Lucas is still in the NICU as of 8/2/11 but is doing very well and should be able to be moved to the regular nursery in the hospital soon. Jake is there for Lucas' feedings and the two are bonding beautifully. Jake and Lucas are blessed with an incredibly strong support system of family and friends and there is no shortage of vistors and well-wishers for both of them. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Your help in spreading the word about this fund is greatly appreciated. Social marketing sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as personal email lists will help make sure that our goal is met and hopefully, exceeded.

Thank you, 

Friends and Family of Jake Massman, Teresa Veltkamp and Lucas Massman

Teresa's Obituary

HELENA - Teresa Raye Veltkamp, 39, of Helena, died of a brain aneurism Friday, July 22, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula.

A memorial service honoring Teresa's life is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Spring Meadow Lake in Helena. Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies is handling arrangements.

Teresa was born on June 27, 1972, in Bozeman. She spent her childhood in Manhattan, Mont., and her later years in Missoula, Ovando, Polson and, most recently, Helena. Teresa graduated from Manhattan High School in 1990, and earned her BA in elementary education from the University of Montana in 2003. She taught at Ovando Elementary School and Cherry Valley Elementary in Polson before joining the Montana Office of Public Instruction's Indian Education Division as an Indian Education for All implementation specialist in 2008. Teresa was passionate about her work, and her life. She married Jake Massman on Nov. 12, 2010, and their son, Lucas, was born six weeks prematurely just prior to her death. 

Teresa gave generously of her time, took care of her loved ones, and she was a loyal and loving friend. She was so proud when she became an auntie to Caleb and Lucy, and everyone knew she would be a wonderful mother. Teresa was cherished by her mother and sisters who were, in turn, nourished by her strength and pragmatism. Her students and families in Ovando and Polson can attest to her exceptional skill as a teacher, and her love for all of her pupils. She was passionate about educating Montanans about the history, culture and diversity of Montana's Native people, and was loved, honored and respected throughout Indian Country. 

Teresa was perpetually late, disorganized and infuriatingly bossy. She loved to travel Montana and the world, to hike and backpack, cook and bake. She helped her niece, Lucy, enter this world, and was at her sister's bedside after nephew Caleb's complicated birth. Teresa was an integral part of every important event in the lives of her loved ones. She and her mother Karen raised each other up, taught each other how to live, and were bonded by a love that transcends this life. When Teresa and her husband Jake found each other for the second time, they knew they were meant to spend their lives together, and wasted no time marrying and beginning the family Teresa always wanted. Teresa had never been happier-married to the love of her life, living in her beautiful new home, anticipating the birth of her first child and working in a job where she had an impact on thousands of people.

Teresa loved and was loved by her family and friends, who are too numerous to name. 

Survivors include her husband, Jake Massman; newborn son Lucas Massman; mothers and fathers Karen and Ken Manley and Glenn and SeAnne Veltkamp; grandmothers Carol Morris and Dolly Swank; grandfather Donald Swank; sisters Rita Manley and Amy Veltkamp; brothers Jacob and Leonard Veltkamp; nephew and niece Caleb and Lucy Liszak, brother-in-law Taj Liszak; mother-in-law Claudia Massman; sister-in-law Tasha Massman; sister of her heart Erin Lipkind, goddaughter Ariana Lipkind; and pets Simone, Kitinka and Buster the fish.

Our hearts are heavy as we learn how to live without our beloved Teresa.