Obituary of Sylas John Gengler

    Sylas John Gengler was born on December 24, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; he passed away on July 30, 2021 being seven months old.

    Sylas was a “miracle baby” who overcame many obstacles in his life. Two weeks after he was born, he was diagnosed with Trisomy 18; and so his journey to good health began. Through it all, he was strong as a buffalo. Everyone who heard about, come in contact, or cared for Sylas, became a fan. Even though he was only here for a short time, he taught us to be stronger for each other and to love a little more - because life is short.

    Keeping his memory close in heart are his parents, TJ Gengler and Angela Timm; his big sister, Meika Timm all of Sanborn, Iowa; grandparents: Scott and Teresa Vogelaar of Sanborn, Iowa, John  and Anita Beaner of Miller, South Dakota, Tom and Dawn Gengler of Sioux City, Iowa; great-grandparents: Greg and Sharon Vogelaar of Sanborn, Iowa, and Marilyn Wingert of Le Mars, Iowa; aunts and uncles: Tyler Gengler of Maurice, Iowa, Tiffany Mejia (Jon Furman) of Milford, Iowa, Katie (Taylor) Haulsee of Washington, DC, Amanda Delzell of Des Moines, Iowa, Kevin Beaner of Henry, South Dakota, Jason Beaner (Morgan Livingston) of Brighton, Colorado; and many great-aunts and uncles, cousins; and special friends, Matthew and Shawna Sandman, and their children: Emma, Tucker, and Asher of Marshall, Minnesota.

    Sylas has joined many of our family and friends who have gone before him. He is now lovingly cared for by them…safe and content as God’s precious child in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In lieu of floral memorials for Sylas, perhaps you would consider making a contribution to either of the following foundations, all in an effort to help other families faced with the same challenges we were.

“Be Not Afraid”

benotafraid.net/donate

“Trisomy 18”

trisomy18.org/donate

Dr. Martin McCaffrey from the University of North Carolina has been involved with “Be Not Afraid” (BNA) for the past 13 years. The goal of the BNA foundation is to help and support the families dealing with Trisomy 13 and 18 babies, helping them receive the medical attention they need, and giving every child like Sylas the chance they deserve.

For more information on Trisomy 13 and 18, watch Dr. McCaffrey speaking at the Perinatal Conference in Dublin, Ireland. Visit:  Dr. Martin McCaffrey Perinatal Conference – Dublin 2016