The Dream

On August 9, 2004, over 200 miles from home, Tracy, along with her husband, her eleven-year-old daughter, and another passenger were returning from a trip when their vehicle rolled. Tracy, who was not wearing a seat belt, did not survive.

While Tracy was fighting for her life far from home in an area hospital near the accident, Tracy’s husband and young daughter paced the cold hospital halls and waiting room. Distraught and overcome with waves of emotion, they desperately needed a private place to go and find sanctuary through their anguish. They needed a place to await the arrival of Tracy’s college bound daughter. And later, after Tracy’s passing, they needed a place to make phone calls to family, to make necessary immediate arrangements, and to openly grieve.

So far from home, they needed a sanctuary…there was no such place.

Tracy’s family hope is to create such a place. A sanctuary…”Tracy Sanctuary House”… A house to be a temporary home to people who find themselves in similar situations as Tracy’s husband and daughter faced during their anguishing hours in the hospital halls alone and far from home.

About Tracy

Tracy3Tracy loved her family and was a loving and dedicated mother and wife. She was passionately involved with her two daughters’ soccer and proud of their accomplishments. Tracy never seemed to have a bad day, always friendly, smiling and ready to help. She was always providing little rays of sunshine just by her generous giving. Tracy owned and operated Ken’s Flower Shop and Party Overboard for 15 years. She was employed at Cashman’s Nursery as a greenhouse manager. Tracy would go all out and even beyond to make sure people’s special events were extra special. That is how Tracy’s spent her life…going all out for all those around her. Tracy’s family wants to honor her genial personality and to have her acts of generous giving and kindness continue to live on by establishing “Tracy’s Sanctuary House” in her memory. A house like Tracy would create, a house filled with spirituality, joy, comfort, serenity, and love for those who need a place of sanctuary in their time of need.

A fund has been set up at Gate City Bank for the non-profit “Tracy’s Sanctuary House”. The fund will be used to establish a sanctuary home in Tracy’s memory. The funds will be used for the necessary costs and services needed to provide comfort to those in need.

Tracy was born Jan. 17, 1960, in Elgin, to Donald and Peggy (Hillius) Arndt. She graduated from Flasher High School, she obtained her associates degree in forestry from Bottineau College and she received a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from North Dakota State University. Tracy married Bruce Rittel on Sept. 4, 1982, in Mandan Tracy and Bruce have two wonderful children. Kelsey, the oldest, and Mariah, the youngest. Tracy loved her family and was a loving and dedicated mother and wife. She was passionately involved with her two daughters’ soccer and proud of their accomplishments. Tracy never seemed to have a bad day, always friendly, smiling and ready to help. She was always providing little rays of sunshine just by her generous giving. Tracy owned and operated Ken’s Flower Shop and Party Overboard for 15 years. She was employed at Cashman’s Nursery as a greenhouse manager. Tracy would go all out and even beyond to make sure people’s special events were extra special. That is how Tracy’s spent her life…going all out for all those around her. Tracy’s family wants to honor her genial personality and to have her acts of generous giving and kindness continue to live on by establishing “Tracy’s Sanctuary House” in her memory. A house like Tracy would create; a house filled with joy, comfort, serenity, and love for those who need a place of sanctuary in their time of need.”

The Vision

Our vision is to secure a long-term Trust/Endowment Fund in order to function without worrying about money in perpetuity.

  • Tracy’s Sanctuary House is funded solely by donations, contributions, and fundraisers.  Tracy’s Sanctuary House does not receive any federal/state grants and is not supported financially by any of the area hospitals. 
  • Tracy’s Sanctuary House partners with area clergy, council, churches, police, firefighters, hospitals, clinics, independent physicians, outreach programs, volunteers and any other professional services deemed necessary.
  • Tracy’s Sanctuary House provides a one of a kind, much-needed service within the community to those who find themselves in desperate need of a place offering privacy and solace in times of personal medical crisis.

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