Garrett Wall Feldmann, born April 18, 2007, precious and loving son of Kathryn and Lee Feldmann of Millersville, Maryland died at his home December 16, 2008. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his five-year-old twin brothers, Shane and Carter, his two grandmothers, Harriett Fenster of Williamsburg, VA and Betty H. Feldmann of Annapolis, MD, sixteen loving aunts and uncles and twenty-one cousins.
A viewing will be held Friday, December 19, from 6-8pm at Barranco and Sons Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, at 10AM at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore/Annapolis Blvd.
Interment follows at Meadowridge Memorial Park,7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Pediatric Ward in memory of Garrett Wall Feldmann. Gifts may be made by check (please write in the memo line "in memory of Garrett Wall Feldmann") and send to B.W.M.C. Foundation, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 231, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061. Donations may also be made on line at www.bwmc.umms.org. Once you are on the website, click on "BWMC Foundation", then click on "Give Online".

Remembrance of sweet Garrett Feldmann

I am Kathryn's twin sister, Liz and this is Lee's brother Chris. As Kathy and I were growing up, people found it so fascinating that we were twins and always asked "Do you know what she's thinking before she says something or does your arm hurt if she gets hit? Our answer was always, well, yes and no, we're always together so I usually know what she's thinking and I usually know when she's hurt, but I don't feel the actual pain. Well, today, I know you don't have to be a twin to know the deep sorrow and pain that Kathy and Lee are both feeling with the unexpected loss of sweet, sweet Garrett. Garrett was only 20 months old and in that short time, he touched Kathy and Lee with a lifetime of love. He was blessed with the best parents, the best two big brothers and the best family that a little boy could have, and in return, he was the biggest blessing of all. As Garrett would play or walk around, Kathy would just look at him and say, "Isn't he so cute and he is just so good". She told me that she said to herself everyday, "I know how lucky we are to have this little boy in our life."

As I look out in this room today, there are so many people here who represent every stage of Kathy and Lee's lives. Starting with both of their big families and then friends from elementary through high school, college, past and current jobs, old and new neighborhoods and all of you either traveling locally or from far, far distances. This is who Kathy and Lee are. They are about family and friends. One of Garrett's favorite words was "Thank you" and he used it all the time when he was handed his cup, a toy or anything. If Garrett was here today, he would simply say "thank you", thank you to all of us for being here to celebrate his life and support Kathy and Lee.

Kathy and Lee's family started with their marriage and it doubled quickly with the birth of Shane and Carter who over the years have become known as the boys. From the start, Kathy and Lee have been the best parents together and always put their family first. In my Christmas card for 2007, I wrote, Our youngest nephew, Garrett, was born in April to Kathryn and Lee. The Fenster side is now complete with 15 grandchildren; 9 boys and 6 girls. Garrett was the perfect completion to Kathryn and Lee's family. Their evening routine always included lots of playtime and then a very special bedtime. Bedtime included books, prayers and then an important question. What was your favorite part of today? Often times, the boys would say "the whole day" or "playing with Garrett". Over time, the boys would ask, "What was the favorite part of Garrett's day and Kathy and Lee would answer "Playing with Shane and Carter" or "Picking up my brothers at the bus stop".

Garrett touched the lives of so many people. In addition to Kathy, Lee, Shane and Carter, he had Grandma Betty, Gran Jane, Pars, 8 aunts, 8 uncles 21 cousins and countless other family and friends who loved him. He was the youngest of all and adored by everyone. Garrett also had the most loving Nanny who was a third parent to him. Kiersten, known as Odo to the three boys, cared for Garrett since the day he was born. She told me that Garrett gave the tightest hugs and when he was ready to let go, he would pull back and smile and laugh. In the past weeks, he had just started saying her name.
Garrett loved to look at all of the family pictures in the house. His favorite picture was of Kathy and Lee on their wedding day. He would point and say "Ma, Ma" and "Da, Da". When he saw pictures of Shane and Carter, he would get so excited. And, if he saw a picture of himself, he would say "Baby". Garrett was pure sweetness. He was all goodness wrapped up in his cute little body with blue eyes and the prettiest blonde hair.

Garrett loved to eat from the start. He would point to his high chair when he was ready to eat. Overtime, he figured out that the food came from the refrigerator. He would stand right at the door and point for it to be opened. He also knew where every refrigerator was including Gran Jane's and my house. Once he was in his high chair, it was hard to get him to stop eating especially if it was one of his favorite foods like watermelon, yogurt, cheese, cereal and pizza.

Garrett loved to sleep. He would stand at the bottom of the stairs and point up. Once in his room, he would point to his crib to tell Kathy or Lee, he was ready to go to sleep. Garrett had his favorite books and they often danced in his room to music before going to sleep. Kathy and Lee would hand Garrett his favorite white blanket that he called "baby" and his moo cow and bear. He would smile and off to sleep he would go. The next morning, he would wake up as happy as when he went to sleep the night before.

Garrett loved to play. He could sit for hours and play by himself just totally content. He mastered the steps everywhere and would slide down to the lower level with excitement to find his toys. He learned how to bother his brothers now and again, by pressing buttons on the computer while they were playing. He also loved to keep up with the big kids. As the herd of cousins would come running through, seconds later, Garrett would come around the corner looking for all of them. At the beach this summer, he had so much fun digging in the sand.

Garrett brought the Feldmann and Fenster families together on so many occasions. We had so much fun celebrating the day he was born, his 1st birthday and his baptism a year ago.

Every day for Garrett was a good day including the last weekend of his precious life. As a family, they went to Cumberland for a magical train ride with their dear friends the Fletchers. The train climbed a mountain and at the top there was snow. Garrett loved trains and would say "Choo, Choo, Choo, Choo." They continued their evening at their mutual friend's home, the McKensies, with a fun dinner and sleepover. Upon returning on Sunday, they went to cut down their Christmas tree as a family. On Monday night, they had so much fun decorating their Christmas tree. All five of them picked the first ornament they wanted to put on the tree and Garrett had a Snowman with his name on it and a bell. As Kathy helped him to place the ornament on the tree, Garrett decided he wasn't ready to let go and walked around shaking the bell. Later, he was sitting on Lee's lap and Lee was teaching him how to say Merry Christmas. Garrett repeated Lee again and again saying "Merry Christmas" and "Ho, ho, ho" as he would lower his voice.

As always, bedtime came and it was now time for special words to be shared. Kathy was with Shane and Carter and Lee brought Garrett to their door. Kathy gave him a kiss and said "I love You" and Garrett said back, "Love you". As Lee brought Garrett to his room, they hugged, and then Garrett reached for his crib. Lee tucked him in with his blanket and special friends. Lee said it's time to go Night Night and Garrett said "Night Night". Lee then sang two of Garrett's favorite songs, "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" which Lee would always end with Boom Boom and Garrett would repeat "Boom Boom". It was now time to blow kisses which Garrett did with his sweet little hand. As Lee said Good night and shut the door, Garrett said happily "Da, Da" and off to sleep he went.

On December 16, 2007, exactly a year before Garrett went to Heaven, he was baptized at Emmunuel Lutheran Church. As the bible says in the book of Mark, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved". We are so thankful that Garrett was greeted in Heaven by his two grandfathers, Grandpa Feldmann and Grandpa Fenster known as Pars. We know Garrett is with them and with Jesus.

Garrett had the best life, and he was the most perfect little boy because of his amazing parents Kathyryn and Lee and his two big brothers Shane and Carter. We will miss Garrett always and the unconditional love he taught us will be the greatest gift forever. We love you Garrett and we promise to take care of your family. And the very words you are saying right now to all of us in your sweet, precious voice are "Thank You" and "Love You"