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Thousands of people in Guatemala are mourning the death of a couple in this week's plane crash there, as a Sandy family also struggles to know how to help the children left behind.
Karin Estrada keeps in close contact with her husband, Abel, who flew to Guatemala for today's funerals.
Abel grew up best friends with Javier Rabanales. The families remain close. In June, both families spent time together in Central America, and Javier and Walfred Rabanales spoke to the Estradas about raising their children if something happened.
Karin Estrada says, "At that time, you would never imagine that they would be gone at the same time."
Karin says thousands of people came from across Guatemala for the funerals. Javier Rabanales was recently in an LDS Stake presidency there and coordinated volunteer efforts for CHOICE Humanitarian in Guatemala.
Because so many lives have been affected by the great work of Javier and Walfred and their countless Utah connections, a trust fund has been set up at Wells Fargo in the name of CHOICE Guatemala Memorial Fund for the benefit of their children to go on their missions and for their future education. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo branch location.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
