In 1997, the Holy Spirit began to move in a small group of church members to dream and imagine a design and landscape of the wetlands behind the current church building. The five acres of wetlands are owned by the church but subject to the permission and review of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as the church might consider landscape and design of wetlands.
A member of Ascension named Haskell Reichert, was inspired to create a Memorial Green area in memory of his wife, Loretta. During the next few years, conversations and dreams became meetings and tasks planned and communicated to the growing, faithful community of Ascension. It was decided that an Ash Garden, where we could scatter the cremains of loved ones, would be planned and added to the designs for the Memorial Green space. A plan for landscaping was designed, a gravel path was poured, an island of rock was created above a natural creek that runs through the property, and the Ash Garden began to take shape. Members of Ascension donated their time to help the Memorial Green take shape and then donated their dollars to bring in more than 200 plants and trees to help form the Memorial Gardens into what you see today.
A pavilion was added in the summer of 2010 to provide a sense of place for outdoor worship during the summer months. It is now used to host weddings, receptions, funerals, and a multitude of other moments in the life of the church. Mark Otto blessed the pavilion with the addition of a brass cross to match the cross that hangs over the altar in the main sanctuary of the church.
In the summer of 2016, after the death of Fabricio Aparico, a fellow member of the youth group, Ethan Saye, dreamed of an Eagle project where there might be a permanent witness to the glory of God. The Memorial Gardens were again refreshed with the planting of a tree in honor of Fabricio and the placing of a large rock with the Bible verse from John 14: 1-2, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
In 2017, after the death of their son Ryan, Mark and Debbie Pichler gathered donations to offer some permanence to the gathering space where we scatter cremains including large, carved rock steps down to the creek, a bench for reflection, and a trail to the Ash Garden allowing for greater accessibility for those with mobility challenges. Again, countless volunteers, members and friends of Ascension heard the call and joined in the construction and planting of additional plants.
In the 2021, member Kurt Werner created a Butterfly Garden as an Eagle Scout project, adding a gravel path connecting the Ash Garden to the main Memorial Gardens with additional seating to rest and reflect. A beautiful triple cross metal art fixture was added in the summer of 2022 under the skilled hands of church member Paul Maass. In 2023, Addison Jahner, also ready to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, dreamed of finishing the gravel path from the Ash Garden and the Butterfly Garden all the way to the parking lot while also adding more beauty to the space. A plan was formed, and once again members and friends rolled up their sleeves to bring the dream to life. In the spring of 2024, a member of the congregation had a vision of making the Memorial Gardens accessible to all and provided the seed money to extend and complete the cement path from the parking lot to the Ash Garden. Within weeks the money was raised, and the path was completed in early May 2025, providing access for all who feel the call of God to enter into a space of reflection and remembrance.
Today, Ascension’s Memorial Gardens are filled with life to the glory of God. In the midst of death, there is always the promise of life. The Memorial Gardens serve as a living reminder of the power of God in the promise and presence of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Thanks be to God!
