Here is an obituary written for Zeke by his father. I still can't believe that Zeke is dead...oh, how his family must be struggling!

Ezekiel Peter Wetlesen
December 16, 1987- August 14, 2007

Ezekiel Peter Wetlesen was born on December 16, 1987, in Lafayette, Indiana. He is the third of ten children. He lived in Colorado, Georgia, Norway and Florida prior to returning to Colorado Springs to attend Evangelical Christian Academy as a freshman. Ezekiel enjoyed basketball and Bible studies while in high school. In March of 2005, Ezekiel was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After emergency surgery, he underwent chemo and radiation therapy before returning to ECA in the fall of 2005 for his senior year. He continued on chemo therapy as he joined the Varsity Basketball team and played during the 2005-2006 season. In May of 2006, the Colorado Springs Rotary Club awarded him the “Spirit of Champions Award” at the 2006 Rotary Champions ceremony. This award is presented to an individual who not only displayed academic, athletic and community service achievements, but also overcomes major life obstacles and continues to generate a strong spirit and supportive attitude toward his peers and mentors. Ezekiel is a gentle giant in so many ways. He has blessed and inspired so many people with his courage, determination and humility. His servant heart shined through in all that he did. He set an indelible example to all those who knew him.

Ezekiel is survived by his parents David and Eloise; brother, Gabriel and his wife Susan, children Cheyenne and John David of Del Rio; brothers Michael of Albuquerque, Nathanael, Joel, Samuel, Daniel and Othniel of Colorado Springs and his two sisters, Faith and Hope, also of Colorado Springs. Also surviving are grandmothers, Velda Englin and Irene Wetlesen. Ezekiel will be missed by numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and by a very special joy in his life, Hayley Neff.

We want to thank the doctors, nurses and technicians at Denver’s Children’s Hospital, the USAFA hospital, Children’s Hematology Oncology Associates, and Odyssey Health Care who provided excellent and loving care for Ezekiel. We also thank all the friends at ECA, Forestgate Presbyterian, the Aero Department at USAFA and NAVSYS.

Ezekiel Peter Wetlesen had the life goals of pursuing a teaching degree in mathematics and teaching in a Christian school. He was not able to pursue those goals. Therefore, he decided to establish an endowment to encourage and retain excellent teachers of effective Christian witness to teach in Christian schools. Ezekiel’s desire is that proceeds from the endowment provide stipends to award winners to augment their salary for the next year of teaching. The Ezekiel Award will encourage these teachers and enable them to continue teaching in Christian schools with reduced financial concerns.

In lieu of flowers, 501(c)3 donations may be made to:

The Ezekiel Award
c/o Leonard/ECA Foundation
4045 Nonchalant Circle South
Bohall Bldg, Lower Level
Colorado Springs, CO 80917

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 4055 Nonchalant Circle South, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.