Tucker’s Telegram

Tucker Henderson

Life is often unfair. It can be incredibly challenging at times with its many stressors and obstacles. Unfortunately, life can also be far too short. We’ve seen that as a community time and time again over the past several years.

I first think of Wade Salo who passed away in 2020 after battling cancer. I think of little Mila Mursu who was born with Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia, which ended her life at just a week old in 2023. Then, Lucille Schik, who we all rallied around when we found out she had cancer for a second time, succumbed to her illness in 2024. So many before, in between, and sadly, surely more to come. Each one a member of our community who passed away far too soon.

Then again recently, I was deeply saddened to hear that Teresa Pederson had passed away. Only a few short years ago she was presenting diplomas to graduates as a part of her school board duties. This year, she was greatly missed as her daughter stepped across that stage to accept her own diploma.

Our community has suffered much loss over the past few years and it’s always harder when it’s someone young, lives snuffed out far earlier than we would ever have let them go. It’s with that same difficulty that our NY Mills and surrounding community grieves once again, after the tragic death of Blake Unger.

Many know the story already and have been hearing it all week long, so I won’t repeat it here. Suffice it to say that some poor decisions were made last week which ultimately ended Blake’s life and changed his friend Izak’s forever. Instead of graduation congratulations and cards stuffed with money, we’re signing cards of sympathy and praying for those affected.

It’s hard for us to wrap our heads around the fact that these types of things happen. Izak was on the trapshooting team and active in both 4-H and FFA and his buddy Blake was a three-sport athlete in wrestling, football, baseball, participated in band and was homecoming king last fall. It seems like just a week ago that I took his picture at the senior scholarship ceremony as he announced that he was planning to attend MState in Wadena for HVAC this fall.

In a time like this, it’s easy to point fingers, to blame, to vilify, but it’s important to remember that these boys, just barely adults, were people with families, feelings and their whole lives ahead of them. That is no longer true for Blake and is severely altered for Izak. Two teenagers who thought they were invincible, just as most teenagers do, teenagers capable of making big mistakes, just like you and I.

We pray for Blake’s family and friends as they grieve this terrible loss. We also remember to pray for Izak’s family as they experience their own anguish and pain. I also urge you to pray for Izak as he begins the court process, survivor’s guilt and suffers the loss of his best friend. We pray that this would be a turning point in his life and that this lesson—a lesson with a very steep price—would be one that was learned by all who have witnessed this tragedy. We as a community must also remember to forgive just as Jesus taught us.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” reads Matthew 5:4. That verse gives us a bit of solace as we grieve, especially together, as a community. Other good verses to remember are Matthew 18:21-22 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. To remind us of Who holds our future and who has given Blake his crown of glory, I always go back to Psalm 23.