Algonquin man mourns wife, nurtures newborn as community rallies to help

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Pete Beer and daughter Amanda, 6 struggle to pick up the pieces after Pete's wife Michelle died of a brain aneurysm just two weeks before she was due to give birth to their daughter Karina. Michelle lived long enough for doctors to perform a C-section and deliver their baby. | photo courtesy~Pete Beers

Updated: December 1, 2011 8:09AM

ALGONQUIN — Michelle Beer could hardly contain her excitement at the school bus stop, announcing it was just two weeks from her due date.

Only a few hours later, the 38-year-old was fighting for her life.

Suffering a brain aneurysm the night of Sept. 13, Beer lived long enough to undergo an emergency C-section at Sherman Hospital in Elgin to deliver her daughter, Karina, before being pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center.

As her husband, Pete Beer, now struggles to pick up the pieces of the shattered home struck by tragedy, friends and family are rallying to do anything possible to help him.

Among other local fundraisers, neighbor Brad Garlin has set up an online fundraising page in Michelle’s honor at GiveForward.com. Garlin said he wanted to find an easy online way for area residents to help the family.

“We all just wanted to do something,” Garlin said. “We are all still in shock. Pete puts on a good face on the outside, but inside he’s still hurting.”

Details from the fateful night are difficult for Pete to relay, and the shock still resonates the home, he said.

There were no prior warning signs, Pete said, except for just a few minutes before the aneurysm struck.

“She felt uncomfortable and wanted to sleep on the couch. My daughter wanted to sleep there, too, so I pushed the couches together,” Pete said. “I said my goodnights, and she called me down 10 minutes later.”

When Pete found Michelle, she was going numb on one side and laid in his arms until paramedics arrived.

Although it doesn’t quell the pain of the loss, Pete said he has been comforted by so many who have bestowed kindnesses upon the family.

Pete, who recently went back to work for the city of Crystal Lake, is also father to 6-year-old daughter Amanda in addition to the newborn.

The GiveForward fund, at www.giveforward.com/michelle-beer, was designed by Garlin as a college fund for Amanda, a first-grader at Mackeben Elementary School in Huntley, and Karina.

Since the fundraiser began last month, supporters have raised more than $2,000 toward the $20,000 goal.

Michelle worked at Morkes Chocolates in Algonquin and the store, at 2755 W. Algonquin Road, is doing a white chocolate popcorn fundraiser through Christmas.

Although struggling emotionally, Pete said he has been floored by the generosity of people he knows — and even some he doesn’t.

“I’ve received cards and money from people I don’t even know,” Pete said, adding that his co-workers recently handed him an envelope.

And neighbors have signed up to make meals for the family through Thanksgiving.

“Everybody has just been unbelievable,” Pete said, fighting back tears. “I just want to send my thank-yous to everybody.”