Charles City community reaches out with support for young family struck by COVID-19

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A familiar face in Charles City, Levi Klinkel, general manager of The Pub on the Cedar sports bar and restaurant, hasn’t been at work for the last several weeks. Instead, he’s been making regular trips to Des Moines, where his wife and newborn son are both in intensive care.

Ashley Klinkel, who works at First Security Bank, was diagnosed with COVID-19 when she was 28 weeks pregnant, according to Levi’s sister, Lanie Sanvig.

“She had a couple of ER visits, with a hospital admission, then just got really sick. They ended up taking her to Des Moines. She was just battling with health so they had to deliver my nephew at 29 weeks,” she told the Press.

The baby, Luka, was 10 days old as of Monday. He’s currently in the neonatal intensive care unit, and Ashley is still in the intensive care unit at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Klinkel said.

“He is doing really well,” she said about Luka. Ashley is still on a ventilator but showing some improvement.

Levi and Ashley also have a 2½-year-old little boy at home, named Beckham.

“My brother’s been driving back and forth and trying to split himself three different ways,” Sanvig said.

Near the beginning of the ordeal, Klinkel issued a plea for help on his Facebook page. He wasn’t asking for money, but for prayers.

“I am not a very public person, I don’t like to do this. But when I need help, I will ask for it,” he wrote.

“If you’re the praying type, please pray for my family.

“If you’re the sending good vibes type, please send some positive vibes my family’s way.

“If you’re a thinking of you, type, we could sure use your thoughts.

“If myself, or my family cross your mind today, please smile for us.

“Covid has reared its ugly head. Made this tough for everyone. Ashley and Baby Luka need all our help.

“That is all I ask.”

While the good wishes and prayers came pouring in, others thought they could do something in a more material way, and various groups have stepped up to help the Klinkels with expenses.

A GoFundMe page was started by Hannah Orcutt, Ashley’s sister. The fund description reads:

“My sister tested positive for Covid at 28 weeks pregnant. She then developed pneumonia. She was in and out of ERs and hospitals with low oxygen. A few days ago she was admitted to Des Moines ICU. They had to do an emergency c-section and deliver baby boy today. He weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces. Ashley and Levi are both off work so they could use any help they can get! Please find in your heart to help this precious family. If you can’t give money, we ask that you just keep them in your prayers!”

The fund had established a goal of $2,000, but as of Monday evening had passed $9,400. To find the fund, go to gofundme.com, click the search button on the top of the page and type in Klinkel.

An account has also been set up at First Security Bank.

Sanvig said anyone can donate to The Klinkel Fund with the thought that the family can use it however it’s needed.

“Whether it’s bills in the future or gas to go back and forth. He hasn’t gone back to work since she went down to Des Moines, just because he’s not sure where he’s going to be needed,” Sanvig said about her brother.

She said a group has also started a “meal train” for him.

“He’s got a place in Des Moines that a friend’s allowing him to stay, so we’re just trying to supply him with some food so he doesn’t have to worry about the strain of that,” Sanvig said.

At Derailed, another bar in town, Carena Flaig donated all the tips she brought in on Thanksgiving to the Klinkels, and the owners of the bar agreed to match the amount. Patrons kicked in extra when told what it was for and more than $500 was raised.

On Wednesday she had posted a notice on her Facebook account: “With tomorrow being Thanksgiving, a near and dear family of ours is needing the community to rally together. Tomorrow I will be giving 100% of my tips, hoping we can bless this family that needs our support more than ever. There is also another donor who will be matching my donation….

“Let’s dig deep my friends, and show this family the love we have at Derailed!” Flaig wrote.

Levi Klinkel started a members only Facebook page called “Ashley and Luka” to provide family members and friends updated on his family’s progress. As of Monday it had more than 730 members.

Klinkel posted an update about noon Sunday.

It reads:

“No leaps and bounds post today. Ash is going in the right direction. The battles for the next couple days are to keep her relaxed and calm. Easier said than done. I couldn’t imagine being in her position and trying to remain either of those things. But she is progressing the way we want her to go. Long haul. But she is improving.

“Luka is my saving grace through all of this and he has no idea. If he were in as rough of shape as his Mama, I would be a crumbled heap most days. He is strong, just like his mom. And he is continuing to improve daily as well.

“Both Ash and Luka are progressing. It may be a ways down the road. But I can not wait to be a healthy family of 4.

Thank you all for the mind-blowing amount of support you have given my family. Thank you is not enough,” Levi wrote.