Faith Rose Lautzenheiser

Faith Rose Lautzenheiser, 10, of Grand Prairie received her angel wings on June 6th, 2013, following a 10 month battle with cancer. Death was caused by acute cardiomyopathy due to treatment for osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Her final days were spent surrounded by friends and family that Faith had touched in her short, yet very memorable life. Faith was a unique child from the beginning. She never knew a stranger, and her deepest wish was for everyone to be happy. She laughed constantly and loved many things. She loved reading the book series Puppy Place, and had a collection of each book. Her love for dogs was more than obvious. She loved her dog Shadow, and was often found sharing kisses with him. On August 7th, 2012, Faith was diagnosed with bone cancer known as, osteosarcoma. The following 10 months were spent mostly at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. Faith also went to Seattle Children's hospital in November for limb salvage surgery to remove her tumor and allow her to keep her arm function. The last 2 weeks of her life were spent in ICU at Cook Children's due to acute cardiomyopathy. Due to complications, she was flown to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to explore a solution for her failing heart. Unfortunately, she passed away two days later, and was received lovingly into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Despite everything Faith went through, she continued to keep a positive outlook and found comfort in the song “Healer.” Special thanks to Dr. Lauren Akers and Lisa Dalton, NP, for your excellent care of Faith. Thank you also to the entire Hematology/Oncology staff at Cook Children's as well as the PICU staff. You have shed tears with us as well as shared laughter. You have prayed for, and with us, and have showed us nothing but love. You are a rare breed of individuals and God has called you to do what you do. May God continue to shower His love upon you. You are our family and will be carried forever in our hearts. Special thanks also to Dr. Chappie Conrad and the staff at Seattle Children's Hospital. Dr. Conrad loved Faith and did an amazing job on her surgery. To Dr. Eric Williams and Dr. Eleana Ocampo and the staff of Texas Children's Hospital, thank you for allowing our daughter to pass peacefully and with dignity. You made her last two days comfortable and shed tears with us as well. We know you won't forget Faith; she is after all, unforgettable. Fabulous Faith loved watching movies in bed, dogs, spraying everyone at the hospital with silly string, especially her special friend Cameron, playing various games, and possessed an extremely strong faith in God. She also enjoyed playing pranks, swimming, music, singing, dancing, friends and family. Her heart was bigger than Texas, and she touched everyone that came in contact with her. Both young and old were instantly drawn to her contagious smile and warm eyes. Most of all, she loved her music and often listened to it as loud as she could. She lit up a room with her smile, and loved to make others laugh. She was a wonderful daughter, and beloved sister, who touched the lives of everyone she met. Faith will live on in our hearts forever. We have never known a braver soul, and she will continue to be our hero. Faith is survived by her loving parents, Ken and Ruth Lautzenheiser of Grand Prairie, brothers Drew and Derek, paternal grandparent Dale Lautzenheiser and maternal grandparents Jean and Deoram Bholan; aunts and uncles Sharon and John Yerby, Ben and Kirsten Bholan, Diane and Jim Norris, Carol Lautzenheiser, and Steven and Lara Lautzenheiser; cousins Grace, Isabella, Lilliana, Kimberly, Kristin, Russell, Ryan, Colin, and Avery. Faith was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Catherine (Nana) Lautzenheiser. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13th from 6-8 pm at Wade Funeral Home, Arlington, Texas. Faith's celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 14th, at 11:00 am at Gateway Church, North Richland Hills Campus, North Richland Hills, Texas. A reception will follow the service. Interment will be at Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas. Pallbearers will be Drew and Derek Lautzenheiser, Jake Smith and Cory Ford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Cook Children's Health Foundation c/o Faith Lautzenheiser H/O 801 7th Ave. Fort Worth, Texas 76104