Inara Hanson

How precious life is! Whether our time on earth is 90 years or 4 months, God places us in the arms of a loving family for just one reason to bring joy and happiness, however fleeting the moment. Little Inara Lorraine Hanson brought great love in her short life, love that her family will cherish forever. Baby Inara Lorraine was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 7, 2007, which happened to be her Grandpa Hansons birthday too. Her parents, Craig and Amy (Rademaker) Hanson, had tried for 17 years to have a baby and were thrilled to finally hold their bundle of joy. A true gift from heaven, Craig and Amy put much thought into naming their precious angel her first name Inara means heaven sent and Lorraine was after both her grandmothers. During Amys pregnancy, the couple faced many challenges and some heartbreaking news early on. The doctors had detected a heart defect in their unborn baby and moreover, she could possibly have Down Syndrome. Four months into the pregnancy, the couple knew that their infant would need surgery at some time. Nonetheless, Craig, Amy and their older daughter, Krystal, anxiously awaited the arrival of their angel. But three weeks before the due date the the baby was in distress so the doctor needed to induce labor. When the day came, Craig was nervous but calm, while Krystal paced the floors worrying and Aunt Lora waited patiently. In the end, a C-section was needed to bring baby Inara into the world, so big sister Krystal couldnt be there for the delivery. Because of the surgery and medication, Amy couldnt hold baby Inara for a few hours, though she yearned to hold her much awaited precious girl. So the first to hold Inara was her Daddy, who right from the start had that special touch to calm her cries. It was inevitable that Inara would be a Daddys girl. As they left the hospital three days later, Amy and Craig received confirmation that their innocent baby girl would grow up facing the challenges of Down Syndrome. Wanting to keep their precious bundle close, the couple had Inara sleep in their room so they could keep a constant eye on her, or more importantly, to cuddle her at every opportunity. One thing that upheld the Hansons during these worrisome times was their faith in the Lord. They were longtime members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and it was here that Inara was baptized during a Sunday morning service on November 4, 2007. Inara was very much loved by her church family, and everyone couldnt wait to hold her and smother her with hugs and kisses. Inaras first health challenge came a week before Thanksgiving when she was hospitalized because her feedings werent enough to help her gain weight. Once a feeding tube was inserted, Inara amazed doctors by gaining a pound a week. Then, in December, she went to Mott Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor for a MRI, but because of complications from the anesthesia, she had a hard time breathing and even turned blue, which resulted in a three day hospital stay. Things brightened up on the way home though, when the family stopped at their favorite place, Cabelas, and Inara had her diaper changed in front of a big polar bear. Not many babies can say that! A devoted husband and father, Craig always made sure his family was well cared for. He provided for them working at Midwest Spring & Stamping as a set-up and production operator. Before becoming pregnant with Inara, Amy worked at Baker Furniture until they relocated, and then remained unemployed until well after Inara was born. A week before Christmas 2007, Amy got a job with the County of Muskegon in the Circuit Court Records, which meant that Inara had to start daycare. Thankfully, the couple was acquainted with Melissa from their church family who had a special needs child and offered in-home daycare. A true god-send, Melissa took great care of Inara, and in turn, she adjusted well to her new surroundings. Inara even learned to say unh unh, which in her words meant no no. On Thursday, January 31st they took Inara to Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor for heart surgery. But when they arrived at the hospital she was not breathing. The hospital staff worked on her all night long. Sadly, little Inara died on Friday, February 1, 2008, In her short life, Inara blessed her family time and time again with her strength and spirit. As family and friends mourn her leaving, God rejoices that one of his angels has come home. Baby Inara is survived by her parents, Craig & Amy Hanson; sister, Krystal Gerencer; niece, Mahiya Ferguson; grandparents: Richard & Vivian (Herlein) Rademaker, Kelly Wadas, all of Muskegon; special aunts, Lora Rademaker of Muskegon, Pam & Mike Baker of Pittsboro, NC; and a loving & supportive church family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert & Jacqueline (Bisson) Hanson. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 8, at 4:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Conradt officiating. Friends and family are invited to be prepared to share a memory. A time of visitation is set aside on Thursday, February 7, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. Please visit Inaras memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.