Former Redmond family left without home, loved one
SEATTLE -- First came the tornado, then another devastating blow.
When the twister tore through Hugo, Minnesota, Marilyn MacLennan rushed her deaf husband and their daughter who has special needs to the basement. They rode it out unhurt, but their home was wrecked. The garage was ripped off, their boat tossed across the street and a part of their house torn away. The couple left Western Washington last year to retire in Minnesota but still have many friends and family here. Two hours after that phone call while picking through debris, MacLennan had a heart attack and died. It was stunning news for the congregation at Redmond's Overlake Christian Church, where MacLennan sang in the choir for a decade. During Sunday's service, they dedicated a song to her about going to heaven. "The song is a favorite song of ours. Every time we do it. it has new meaning. This time it had fresh meaning because three days earlier she passed away and she is in heaven with the Lord," said Dave Morgan with the church. Friends describe MacLennan as the glue that held her family together. They worry about what her husband and daughter will do now but say faith will keep them strong. "We couldn't make it through without our faith," said cousin Etta Erickson. "The whole family has a deep and abiding faith in God. It truly makes a difference at a time like this." On Sunday choir members collected $2,500 to help the family. Anyone who'd like to help can contribute to the Marilyn MacLennan fund at any Wells Fargo bank branch. 
"I could tell when I was talking to her that she was extremely stressed," said friend Sherri Albert. "I said, 'Marilyn I don't know what to do for you. I would like to pray with you.' We did that. And she told me over and over again, 'we need help. We need help."'