Covid Took it All: Brian Cross's Story.

Team fundraiser

Karen Cross and Sandra Rotenberger are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Conni Weaver.

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My name is Karen (Cross) Anderson and I live in Fergus Falls, MN. My brother Brian Cross was a loving son and father. He was a serial entrepreneur with a knack for both people and mechanical things, a guitarist, a singer, and a Harley Davidson aficionado. He was a loyal friend to so many. I am writing this appeal for my brother and his wife Anne. Brian passed away from Covid-19 on Sunday evening August 29th. He was only 59 years old.

The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing government restrictions led to the destruction of Brian and Anne Cross's thriving business in Denver, Colorado. 20 years ago, Brian started a small limo service company and expanded it to a fleet of vehicles that included not only limos but also charter and excursion buses. Anne later joined him as a partner in this growing company. In the past 18 months, the business they had fought so hard to build and run came to a complete halt. Because of Covid and government-ordered safety restrictions on their business, no one wanted to travel in groups in a limo or excursion bus. During the Colorado ski season, the excursion buses normally used to take skiers into the mountains sat in the lot,useless and silent. In an attempt to salvage what was left of their business, Brian and Anne created a new company, Patriot Off-Grid, to transform their bus inventory into self-sustaining “off-grid” RV homes. The patriotic name of their new company reflected their love of our country. Even after turning their business around to try to stay afloat, Brian and Anne were forced to radically reduce their expenditures. This included letting go of their house, their business warehouse, liquidating their retirement savings, and even dropping their medical insurance. Brian and Anne found themselves living in a small space over their shop for the last ten months, waking every day to the sound of workers transforming their bus fleet into off-grid RV homes. Brian and Anne worked tirelessly and fought the overwhelming temptation to just give up. They were doing everything they could to turn the distressing downfall of their company into something new and prosperous. It has been humbling to see how strong they have been through the entire process; their family and friends have been so proud of them. They worked very hard and trusted God for His help when many would have lost their faith.

Tragically, almost two weeks ago both Brian and Anne contracted Covid 19. Brian's oxygen levels dropped so low that he had to be hospitalized. He battled as long as he could, struggling to breathe while also enduring isolation from his loved ones. Anne was able to see him through a window, using only cell phones to communicate. He lost the battle this past Sunday and went Home to be with Jesus and his Dad, who passed away 11 years ago.

Anne is recovering from Covid but faces the grief and sorrow of the loss of her best friend and soulmate. They had looked forward to growing old together. She also faces the burden of dealing with the debts incurred by the devastating loss of their business combined with the accumulating medical bills that will not be covered by insurance. Anne is left not only with the grief of losing her husband but with substantial financial needs. Tragically, Covid-19 has created a perfect storm of destruction and loss for this family.

Please consider giving what you can to help Anne through this terrible time; no donation is too small. We hope to raise $150,000 which would go towards covering hospital and funeral expenses, as well as the debts Brian and Anne incurred during this devastating pandemic. Your donation will help Anne and the family tremendously. Our whole family appreciates you considering this need and we are grateful for anything you can give.

My twin sister, Conni Weaver, will act as beneficiary to receive and distribute funds to pay for immediate needs that Anne has incurred through the loss of our brother Brian and the terrible toll that Covid-19 has taken on their business and family.

Please contribute if you can, and we ask you to forward this GoFundMe appeal to your friends, as well. Thank you and God bless you!