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Cayden Burud had a zest for life
Originally published 10:27 a.m., December 13, 2007
Updated 11:44 a.m., December 13, 2007
Memorial fund
A fund for the Burud family has been established at Bank of the West in Fergus Falls.
Checks can be made out to Chad and Amanda Burud with Cayden Burud Fund written on the check memo line.
Donors can drop off checks at the Bank of West main office at 120 North Mill or at the bank office on the west side of town at 2015 College Way.
Donations can also be mailed to:
Bank of the West
120 North Mill St.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
story>
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what Cayden Burud loved most about life. From reading with his grandfather to playing checkers with his uncle, Burud was a 5-year-old who brought curiosity and zest to all things — and all people.
“He was interested in anything he could pick up and learn,” said Leland Burud, Cayden’s grandfather.
“Everybody loved him.”
As relatives mourn the death of the Fergus Falls kindergartner this week, they remember all the ways Cayden brightened their lives.
Amanda Burud described her son as an energetic, polite boy who loved school, friends and “anything that had to do with baseball.” A couple of weeks ago, while visiting Amanda during her shift at Applebee’s, Cayden had danced and laughed as he ate his usual meal of applesauce and a corndog.
“I could just tell that his stomach was hurting (from laughing so hard),” Amanda Burud said.
Le Michael Burud spent hours with his nephew each week, practicing flash cards, playing poker, even throwing boomerangs at a Barnesville park. In a way, Burud said, Cayden was a kindred spirit.
“I just really feel like he was a soulmate of mine,” he said. “He always gave me something to look forward to.”
Leland Burud had a special bond with his grandson right from Cayden’s birth at Lake Region Hospital.
“He was kept in an incubator because his lungs hadn’t completely matured yet,” Burud said. “They arranged it so I was the very first person in the family who got to hold him.”
Amanda Burud said her son first complained of a headache at about 10 p.m. Monday. Cayden went to bed after a bath and a dose of Tylenol, but woke up throughout the night, alternating sleeping and vomiting and running a fever of 102 degrees.
By early Tuesday, Amanda and her husband, Chad, had decided to bring their son to the emergency room at Lake Region Hospital. Cayden — now with a temperature of 105 degrees — had become incoherent, seizuring as his parents tried to dress him in a coat, then going limp.
After a series of tests at Lake Region, Cayden was airlifted to MeritCare North Fargo at about 7 a.m. With no room in the helicopter, his parents drove to meet their son at the hospital, where Cayden’s condition quickly worsened. He died at about 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“Please, if you have children, just hug and kiss your babies because you never know,” Amanda Burud said, adding that she believes her son now looks down on the family.
“He’s my little angel.”
A memorial fund has been set up for Cayden Burud at Bank of the West in Fergus Falls.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by fergusfalls (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that God will watch over Cayden, and also his family! I only know the mom a little bit, but I have thought about the family alot over the last two days.
Posted by sassica (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can only begin to imagine the pain this family is experiencing right now. I am very sorry that anyone has to go through this!
Posted by harleygirl (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart is breaking for this family. I can't begin to imagine what they are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you Amanda, Chad and all who knew and loved Cayden.
Posted by SallyRay (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May the Lord continue to blanket you all with strength, hope and courage to continue on. What a special boy he seemd to be. I am very sorry for the Burud family.
Posted by Granny (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please remember not only Caydens family but also his best friends. At 5 yrs. old this is so hard to understand one minute you know and the next minute they want to play with them or talk on the phone.
GOD BLESS ALL
Posted by ericafeser (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cayden you are missed by many people. I will miss your smiling face going into Applebees when i'm up there to visit. I will miss how happy you always were. Amanda and Chad I send you my sympothy and everything to you guys. So does Allen. If you guys need anything give me a call. WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU CAYDEN NOW AND FOREVER. LOVE YOU AMANDA AND CHAD.
Posted by wardeb (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel terrible about Cayden. I have a son who is the same age and don't know how I would deal with the loss of him. I am a nursing student and know about meningitis but how did this beautiful little guy contract it? It is spread by saliva or body fluids. Who did this little guy come in contact with or where did he contract it from? Should we as parents be concerned with a possible contagen in this area?
Posted by jennyg1955 (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am originally from Barnesville and know Cayden's Grandpa and Grandma... Yes Cayden had a very special Grandpa and Grandma!! My stepdaughter is in Kindergarden to at McKinley. Our Sincere Sympathy goes out to all of you. My youngest is 19, Paralyzed and in a Nursing Home... I know some of the pain you are going through...
May your Precious Memories of Cayden help you through this Difficult time
Posted by herman (anonymous) on December 13, 2007 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so sorry for your loss.. I have a 5 year old and he attened school with cayden. He cried for an hour telling me stories and that they played togather. This broke my heart.
my son had alot of questions and this was hard to explain he asked me if i could print off his picture so he could pray to him at night. Again i am so sorry for your loss
Posted by CaydensParents (anonymous) on December 14, 2007 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We would just like to take a brief second in this very hectic time in our lives to say thank you very very much! The people of Fergus Falls and the surrounding area have been so so wonderful to us and so supportive that we our overwhelmed with the love and sympathy. We truly are blessed to live in such a caring and compassionate community and feel your thoughts and prayers and it is helping us to work through this nightmare. We would like to extend our invitation to you to join us in the celebration of his life at the Life Church on Saturday at 1p.m. We love him and miss him so very very much! Words can't explain the graditide we have for all your support!
Posted by KatrinaH (anonymous) on December 14, 2007 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amanda,
I grew up with you and heard the news about your son from my mom. I'm so sorry for your loss, it is not something I can even fathom. I wish things like this didn't have to happen to good people. As a mom to five kids myself, it's something that scares me all the time.
Please know that people around where you grew up are thinking of you and your entire family as well. God Bless!
Posted by Bev (anonymous) on December 14, 2007 at 3:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amanda and Chad, I am so sorry for your loss. You have been in my prayers all day today. I can't even think of the right words to type, because there are no words that can take away the pain. Just know, that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by delphisman (anonymous) on December 14, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chad and Amanda, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you from Beaumont Applebees. I lost a very close family friend this past Wednesday. It is hard and especially so at this time of the year. Rest assured your little angel is with the angels. Jerry Mendivil and Staff
Posted by tweaver6 (anonymous) on December 15, 2007 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amanda and Chad, I want you to know that you have been in my prayers and thoughts constantly since hearing about Cayden. I can not express in words how sorry I am for the pain you feel. I love both of you, and I know you are surrounded by people who love and support you. God Bless you both, and I will see you soon. Tom
Posted by TheCarys (anonymous) on December 16, 2007 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chad and Amanda, we just heard today about your loss. Mike & I are so very sorry to hear about Cayden! Chad is our dr. and he talked about Cayden and how great of a kid he was, and I know how much his family means to him. Chad and Amanda please take care of yourselves; and if there is anything we can do please let us know. With love and our thoughts!!!
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