Indianola 4-year-old dies in Colorado

Teresa Kay Albertson, Des Moines Register
·5 min read

An Indianola boy who would have been a kindergartener this fall has died in Colorado.

Overton Funeral Home in Indianola said Maximillion Robert Wilder Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15, in Littleton, a Denver suburb. Arrangements are pending.

The obituary said Maximillion is survived by his parents, Andrew and Rusti Wood, and  siblings Michael, Madailein, Meara, Maitias, Magnus and Malachai.

Colorado authorities said a 4-year-old boy died July 15 in Littleton after being struck by a falling tree. They did not provide the child's name or hometown.

"When our deputies arrived, they immediately began CPR on the child, who was then quickly transported to a local hospital," said Karlyn Tilley, a public information officer with the Jefferson County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office.

Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.
Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.

"Tragically, the boy was pronounced dead at the hospital. His 14-year-old older sister was injured as well — her family took her to the hospital, where she was treated and released," Tilley said.

Tilley said the family was visiting relatives and the children had gone to a neighbor's home to play on a zipline or slack line between two trees in the backyard.

"As the children were playing on the line, one of the trees gave way and fell on top of the 4-year-old boy," she said.

A slack line is a rope or webbing strung between two anchors, used as a tightrope. A zipline involves a rope or cable strung between two anchors along which people can travel via a suspended pulley system.

The sheriff's office continued to investigate Monday, but "we have no reason to believe this was anything more than a very tragic accident. It was incredibly traumatic for all of the children who witnessed the incident," Tilley said.

Indianola resident Jennifer Sedlock started a GoFundMe account for the boy's family, who she said are longtime friends.

Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.
Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.

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"His mom and I are good friends and run Girl Scouts in our area together," Sedlock said. "(Maximillion) was my little buddy, always wanting to talk to me and show me things he had done."

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Sedlock said she started the fundraiser for Maximillion's family because she believes they are going to endure significant costs from medical bills and the funeral services.

"I just wanted to take some of the burden off their plate financially," Sedlock said via Facebook Messenger.

Sedlock set the fundraising goal at $15,000. As of Monday afternoon, the effort had raised more than $17,000.

In a Facebook post, Father Adam Westphal, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola, provided a link to the GoFundMe site and requested prayers and aid for the family, who he said "experienced a tragedy." He said he had talked with Andrew Wood, who was aware of the GoFundMe campaign.

Funeral services with Overton Funeral Home in Indianola are pending. Memorials may be given to the family in Maximillion's name.

Wood family releases letter to the public

Below is the text of the Wood family's letter to the public released July 19 by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office:

Hi! I'm Maximillion Robert Wilder Wood! What's your name?

Our family has been a member of the Indianola community for 10 years.

As we introduce our little boy to you, please know that he would want you to be introduced to him, because Maximillion did not know a stranger. This little boy had a larger than life heart, and an old soul. Everyone he met was his friend and this could be neighbors and schoolmates, but it was equally UPS drivers, Amazon drivers, hotel guests in elevators, docents at museums, spectators on the bleachers, and countless other places he went. Everyone was his friend.

Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.
Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola, died July 15 in an accident in Colorado. Wood was the won of Rusti and Andrew Wood. "Maximillion did not know a stranger," his family said in a letter released July 19 by the Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff's Office.

Maximillion had an infectious spirit with an imagination to match. Although only age four, he already had the important parts of life figured out: make up adventures; have fun; family is everything; love everyone, and of course, eat ice cream all the time (especially strawberry with gummy bears and sprinkles). He also knew the significance of education. When he started pre-school at age four, his mom asked him if he was excited and his response was “I need to go, it’s important.” He also knew that friendships are sacred and as he made friends often, he knew the importance of keeping them.

Our family, our friends and our communities--in Littleton, Colorado and in Indianola, Iowa--are honoring Maximillion’s spirit with what he knew, which is that love is what life is about.

Although we are over one thousand miles away from home, a community has rallied behind our family. A GoFundMe keeps growing, meals are being planned, teachers are finding ways to show and spread love such as wearing Maximillion’s favorite colors--red and orange--at school.

The outpouring of community support pays tribute to who Maximillion was and the legacy he leaves. Neighbors are visiting, sharing meals and food, sending flowers and kindness with messages and love. Friends are housekeeping, landscaping and grocery shopping. Our children are comforted with hugs all around and young children are finding ways to laugh with their pain. In true Maximillion spirit, the new people we have met are now our friends.

Maximillion’s death is a tragedy but his life is a blessing. Amidst the sadness and grief, it is only support, friendship and love that has been presented to every member of our family. This is a true testament to how many lives Maximillion touched in his 4 short years, and to his ageless, genuine, loving soul.

Our family asks that everyone shows Maximillion the love he showed others. Smile at strangers, make a friend, get to know your neighbors, accept everyone, laugh at the silly, and eat ice cream. Love life. It is so fragile and fleeting.

The Wood Family

Teresa Kay Albertson covers Ames and the Des Moines' southern suburbs for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her at talbertson@registermedia.com or 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Maximillion Wood, 4, of Indianola died July 15 in Littleton, Colorado