Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin has issued a statement announcing that his oldest daughter has died after a battle with cancer.
“It is with the most profound sense of grief and joy that Sara Jane and I announce the passing of our oldest daughter, Sydney Marie (Van Orden) Martenis after a year of battling a very aggressive form of cancer. She died peacefully surrounded by her family,” the congressman said in the statement. “We are heartbroken that we cannot share her smile and laugh in person any longer but are so thankful that she is resting with our Lord and that we were able to spend these years with her and her family.”
Van Orden, who took office earlier this year in January, noted that his daughter is survived by a number of relatives, including her husband and children.
“Sydney is survived by grandma Virginia Whitelock, husband Chris, daughter Madelyn, sons, Charlie and Roman, father and mother Derrick and Sara Jane, Sister Abigail (Williams), brothers, Theodore and Daniel, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins,” the statement read. “Thank you for all of the tender mercies you have shown to our family. May God bless you all.”
Condolences poured in from figures on both sides of the political aisle.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is currently seeking the GOP presidential nomination, tweeted, “@karenpence and I send our very deepest sympathies and prayers to Derrick, Sara Jane and their entire family. Such a loss. God bless and comfort you all.”
“My heart and prayers go out to my colleague from Wisconsin and his family. The loss of a child is beyond comprehension, and I pray her loved ones can find comfort in her memory,” Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin communicated.
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