Lael Aireen Jeanette Seruyange, age 8 months, died June 21, 2009 at Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be at 10AM Friday, June 26th at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. The family will be present Thursday from 6-8PM at Abiding Savior with a prayer service at 7PM.

Lael was born October 24, 2008, at Avera McKennan Hospital. Her name, which means belonging to God in Hebrew, expressed her parents desire to acknowledge her as a gift. She possessed an arresting beauty which always drew the attention of others. She was a source of joy to her family and those around her. Her short life was spent being loved.

She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart at the age of 4 months and with a rare genetic condition called Pompes Disease at the age of 6 months. Despite the efforts of a world of experts, the disease was progressive and fatal. She struggled for 6 days in the hospital enduring much suffering before the illness took her to be with God.

Although her life was short, her purpose was sure: she reminded us of the beauty of Gods creation and His love for us. We find her departure tragic, but now she is whole and without suffering. We are thankful for every day we had with her and we take heart in how she has brought so many people to an encounter with God.

Survivors include parents, David and Kristin (Knutson) Seruyange of Sioux Falls; paternal grandparents, Lazarus and Lois Seruyange of Kampala, Uganda; maternal grandparents, Dean and Julie Knutson of Centerville; maternal great-grandparents, Willard and Betty Knutson of Centerville and Henrietta Skyberg of De Smet; aunts and uncles, Irene and Todd Anderson and their children, Kaela, Alexis and Zoe of Chino Hills, CA, Jonathan and Kathleen Seruyange of Anaheim, CA, Patrick Seruyange of Kampala, Uganda, Gretchen Knutson and special friend Dave Mattson of Sioux Falls and Alison Knutson and special friend Peder Aadahl of Centerville.