Miracles along the path to recovery

The Oeltjenbruns family of rural Claremont is  certainly counting its blessings this Thanksgiving holiday. Mark and Jessica are able to enjoy their two young children, Alexis and Isaac, after a scare that nearly ended their lives.
Much of their story is shared in a front page story in this week’s edition. However, there are a few inspiring details that I wanted to relate through my column.
During my interview with the family last week, Mark
Oeltjenbruns provided me with a list on 11 miracles that took place on June 8 and the subsequent days following the crash by their house near the Steele-Dodge border.
“There were so many things about it that you would have to be a non-believer to not believe it,” Mark said. “Anybody that doubted faith would struggle.”
The miracles began even before the crash happened. About six weeks prior, the family traded in a small compact Pontiac Vibe for a Lincoln MKX with extra airbags. He noted his 3-year-old daughter often complained she didn’t have enough space in the Vibe. “It’s an absolute miracle we did that,” Mark said referring to getting the bigger Lincoln. “The Vibe would have been in two pieces.”
Another miracle took place with the location of Mayo One’s medical helicopters. One of them
happened to be at the Steele County Fairgrounds for the annual safety camp when the call went out. A second helicopter was en route
to Albert Lea for a heart patient, but was rerouted when the Oeltjenbruns crash happened. “The flight crew told us pediatric cases trump all other medical care,” Mark said, noting the Mayo One crew later came to see them in the hospital.
Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele and investigator Mary Ulrich were also included on Mark’s list of miracles. Mark said Ulrich was first on the scene and was instrumental in making things happen. “Both Lon and Mary came to the hospital individually to see the kids and how they were doing,” Mark said. “That was very touching and emotion.”
As soon as Jessica reached her husband by phone, she had a simple instruction for him. “I told him
you need to call our church and get people praying,” Jessica said.
They are members of Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Owatonna.
Said Mark, “From that first hour, I kept my faith and kept praying.”
But perhaps the greatest miracle of all was the remarkable recovery of their two children. They both overcame severe skull fractures and brain injuries and now appear to be completely normal.
The Oeltjenbruns family hopes to put together some sort of appreciation dinner for all those who supported them during their ordeal. They are planning to do it at their church later this winter, though no date has yet been set. Mark said the proceeds would likely be split between
the church and a brain injury association.
“The family is so touched by the outpouring of prayers, food and Gofundme support. It was unbelievable,” Mark said.
All of this has made the family go in pursuit of being forever grateful this Thanksgiving of the amazing journey that covery of their family.