Nate Mansfield, the oldest son of Dennis and Susan Mansfield, passed away this morning of accidental causes (March 11th) at his home in Kansas City, MO. The funeral will be held at the Vineyard Church in Boise, ID sometime within the next week. For information on the funeral call the Vineyard at 208-377-1477. For other information contact Michael Boerner, family spokesman, at 208-602-9090.
Karin,
Thanks so much for visiting the site and for leaving such a kind comment. I remember you very well from our days at MCHS. Thanks for your special memories about my Mom. She was a hoot!
It is good to hear of your faith in Christ. How terrific it is that you and your husband have raised your girls with such a foundation.
Visit again.
Den
Posted by: Dennis Mansfield | July 24, 2010 at 11:51 PM
Dennis,
We saw each other at our 30 year reunion in Michigan a few years back but I was solate we hardly had time to talk. I was able to meet your adorable wife, Susan, and see how happy you are!
Thanks for accepting me as a friend of FB but I've just learned of the loss of your son, Nate. I'm SOOO sorry for both of you but the way you are handling this, by sharing the love of Christ, is SOOO amazing!
I gave my heart to Jesus my Senior year in high school and met my husband of 30 years at the church where I met my Savior. We too have three children, all daughters who also love God. Two have been called in to ministry; one youth pastor and one missionary, just accepting her first call to Nicaragua in September. Our youngest just finished her first year in nursing school.
Your family sounds amazing! I always loved your mom and felt welcome at your home in Mt. Clemens! Keep loving, serving and sharing Christ with others!
Serving Jesus, Karin (Mora) Davidson
Posted by: Karin Mora Davidson | July 24, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Mr. Sparks,
I've never met you. Nate never spoke of you, nor did those who loved him in MO speak of you.
His death occurred 16 months ago. Your bitter comments, which I have edited down to only the few words that appear, are not unusual, I suppose, for a person in pain. I'm sorry that life has turned out the way it has for you.
Not sure if you have kids, hope you do. Not sure if you've lost children, hope you haven't. This I DO know - every person on this earth is redeemable. Drug addiction is beyond belief. But I bet you know that.
My son rests in Heaven, not because of what he did but because of what Christ did for him. Nate's only "ticket in" came because of a small innocent boy saying "yes" to the still smaller voice of Jesus Christ asking "Do you accept me as Lord and Savior?"
Mr. Sparks, that can be available to you today. It is like a wedding vow, of sorts. God's hand is extended to you saying "Wally, do you want peace in your life? Do you want love, true love in your life?" Only Christ can clean your mind, your mouth and your bitterness.
Regardless of what you felt towards my son, Nate, in whom I am well pleased, YOUR life can change. Hope can return.
It ultimately did for Nate.
I stand ready to help you if you need help.
Dennis Mansfield
Posted by: Dennis Mansfield | July 23, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Maybe I'll see your lying, cheating, drug dealing worthless sack of shit son in hell. I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that this two faced asshole shot up too much heroin and finally got the fuck off this planet. (Den's note: The comment was too bitter to retain in its entirety. I have edited it and will respond.)
Posted by: Wally Sparks | July 23, 2010 at 01:02 AM
Dear Mansfield Family,
I just wanted to write to tell you we are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son Nate three months ago. I have not had the privilege of getting to know you, but Chad Estes contacted me and told me about you, so I looked you up via twitter and your blogs.
When I saw the picture of Nate, his beautiful, sensitive spirit seemed to just shine through his smile and his embrace of his family. KNOWING the pain of such a great loss, I have wept and wept for you and lifted you all up to our Heavenly Father.
We are two-years-and-ten-months away from our daughter's death. I can tell you the grief has been devastating and still is. I tell people our Heavenly Father has been so faithful to meet us IN our grief, but He is not an anesthetic to the pain of our grief! Our hearts go out to you. I welcome you to go to our blog to read some of our grappling with such terror and how God has been meeting us in the pain. Feel free to contact us at any time; we may be "far" away from you, but as my handicapped brother said to me, although we are 200+ miles apart, "prayer holds us close to one another."
May God hold you in His arms and comfort you even as He is holding your precious Nate now and always.
In His love--who compassionately sent us our Savior and our Comforter--
your sister and brother in Christ,
Angie and Tommy Prince and family (Rollin and Nathan)
http://MotherGrievingLossofChild.blogspot.com
Twitter: MotherGrieving, spankydog
Posted by: Angie Prince | June 17, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Thank you, Rodney.
Your kindness is so overwhelming. Meeting you last July was an eye-opener. I learned so much of your struggle with drugs/recovery and saw Nate's deep respect for you, regardless of your faults or his faults. You can use Nate's death as a milestone for your own life.
You are a good man; Susan and I will call you.
Thank you for loving Nate. I hope that book, The Shack, was a good book...and that it made an impression on you.
Look up. Your redemption draws near, my friend.
Dennis (for Susan)
Posted by: Dennis | May 08, 2009 at 08:47 PM
DENNIS AND SUSAN I AM SO SORRY ABOUT NATE. I LOVED HIM LIKE A BROTHER. I JUST WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD HAVE HELPED HIM WITH OR BEEN A BETTER FRIEND. I DID NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEMS HE WAS HAVING. I MISS HIM SO MUCH.GINGER AND I DID NOT GET ALONG BUT I REALLY TRULEY LOVED AND CARED FOR NATE. I WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO CALL ME IF YOU WOULD WE MET MY NAME IS RODNEY I WAS LIVING WITH NATE WHEN YOU GUYS CAME TO VISIT. BUT I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU GUYS. MY PHONE NUMBER IS 816-785-1831. AGAIN MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Posted by: RODNEY BEELER | May 08, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Dear Kevin,
I'm not sure that we ever met but I'm sorry for your sadness and pain over Nate's death. Grief has a way of impacting all of us at different levels. I'm sorry for the pain that you are going through.
My son, Nate, loved me as I loved him. Very much, indeed. I'm certain any man with a child knows what I am talking about. Any man without a child (natural or adopted) can never know. Not sure which camp is yours...
This is neither the time nor the forum to discuss my public work; this is a time of private grief and public expression.
Because of that, we decided to leave your posting on. I'm sorry for your losing a friend, a friend so dedicated like Nate.
Nate was one of a kind - a truly great, fair-minded and loving baby, boy, young man and man. I am proud that he is/was my son. I look forward to reuniting with him in eternity. If he were able to post a note on the blog, I am certain he would tell you that he loved you, Kevin, given that you and he were friends. If you were'nt friends, he would still show his love for you, cause that's the kind of person he was.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis | April 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM
SO MUCH FOR FOCUSING ON THE FAMILY WHEN YOUR OWN SON ODS. I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH YOUR SON AND YOU WERE SUCH AND ASS HOLE TO HIM ALL HE HAD WAS TO GAIN ATTENTION THROUGH DRUGS AND BAD BEHAVIOUR. IF YOU REALLY LOVED HIM UNCOINDITIONALLY YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HIMMULIATED HIM IN HIGH SCHOOL BY WAKING HIM UP AT NITE AND TRYING TO RE SHAPE HIS IMMAGE WITH A HAIR CUT FOR YOUR POLITICAL GAIN. I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY WITH HOW MUCH YOU HURT YOUR SON.
Posted by: KEVIN BEAVERS | April 10, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Karlie,
How well I remember your time in our kitchen and your surrender in prayer to Christ's love and compassion for you. Your kindness to Nate was and is apparent. Thank you for allowing Susan and me to have a "walk in" role in your life, those many years ago.
Nate loved you. He still does, just as he loves his Ginny, his sister/brother, his folks and his precious dogs. He simply has an eternal perspective now...one that we should hunger and thirst after, don't you think?
Thanks for contacting us at this time, Karlie.
Blessings to you and your mom,
Dennis (for Susan, Meg and Colin)
Posted by: Dennis | March 27, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Dear Mansfields,
I only knew Nate and your family for a short time, a time that forever changed my life. Through the difficult times, you were angels of hope, kindness, and love. I am truly blessed to have known Nate, he changed my life for the best, and to have met you, Denis, Susan, and Colin. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours through this difficult time just as you were there for me. I forever have a spot for Nate and your family in my heart. God bless and keep you all. Sending you prayers of love and compassion . . .
Best Always,
Karlie Knudtsen
Posted by: Karlie Knudtsen | March 26, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Dennis my condolences to you and your family. You will all be in our prayers.
Posted by: Mike Kennedy | March 18, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Dennis & Family,
Our hearts ache with you for the loss of a precious son. We know that only Jesus can carry you thru this time. Our love and prayers go out to your family.
Cliff and Susie Hancock
Posted by: cliffh- | March 17, 2009 at 07:46 AM
We send our love and prayers as our hearts ache with the loss you have suffered. Please know you've touch our lives and are dear to our hearts. Your friends, Cliff and Susie Hancock I love you bro!
Posted by: cliffh- | March 16, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Dear Dennis And family,
My heart and prayers go out to you all!I knew nate at a time when things were less then desireable for us both. Then i got to meet you and you have been an inspiration and a true blessing for me. i have been truly blessed in my recovery by and with the help of many others.I will do anything i can to help in any way i can. I cant say how i feel for you in words right now i am truly shocked. I will honer nate next month when i give my testimony on my five year clean birthday. May God Always Continue to bless us all in the name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ! God Bless
Dave Shifflett
Posted by: Dvaid Shifflett | March 16, 2009 at 02:10 AM