ACTION FOR AUSTIN

THE DAY GOD TOOK YOU HOME

"In tears we saw you sinking, and watched you pass away.  Our hearts were almost broken, we wanted you to stay.

But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful, free from pain, how could we wish you back with us, to suffer that again?

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God took you home."

Author Unknown 

Austin's Obituary 

Austin Geoffrey Kallenberger was called to the Lord on Wednesday, July 18^th.  He passed in the loving arms of his parents in his home.  Austin was born on April 11, 2012 in Bakersfield at 6 lbs., 14 ounces, 21 inches long.  He had a tough three months here on earth as he struggled for the first two in the Cedars-Sinai NICU.  He was loved by many nurses and doctors there.  On June 20^th, Austin left the NICU and headed home in an ambulance.  Austin was surrounded by family and friends and got to experience many things he couldn’t have while in the NICU.  He went swimming, felt grass, sat in a swing, listened to the commotion of his sisters, watched fireworks on the 4^th, and even got to attend his sister’s 2^nd birthday party.  Even though his time here was short he made a lasting impression on so many people.  He was loved by all who met him, and will be greatly missed.  Austin is survived by his parents, Geoff and Stephanie Kallenberger; three sisters, Avery, Alexis and Rylie; grandparents, Ross and Loraine Kallenberger, and Mike and Wendy Sides; great-grandparents, Bert and June Sides; aunts and uncles, Bobby and Jennifer Blackmon, Bryan and Katie Timmons, and Brian and Jennifer Lininger; cousins, Tori, Jacob and Josh Blackmon, Jordyn and Tawny Timmons, and Zach and Nathan Lininger.  The Family wants to thank everyone at Cedars- Sinai NICU for the loving care they provided their son, the Olive Knolls MOPS ladies for all the love and support, and Valley Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers we would be pleased to have you make donations to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Good Beginnings to help families being discharged with special needs infants, and to support other grieving parents at:  8700 Beverly Boulevard, Room 4311, Los Angeles, CA  90048.  Memorial services will be held July 25^th at 2:00pm at Valley Baptist Church, with a graveside service following at Hillcrest Mortuary.

Here to Help

We made this page to share our son and his amazing short life.  We also made this page so other parents who are looking for a diagnosis for their child might find similar symptoms and find help and hope in our story.  We believe we can honor the life and memory of Austin the best and make the most significant impact by providing help, knowledge and support to other families in similar circumstances.