Emmett Grove

Emmett Vernon Grove was born Feb. 12, 2020, at Methodist Women’s Hospital in Elkhorn, Nebraska, to Jesse and Rachel Grove. He went to be with our Lord and Savior Friday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Children’s Hospital of Omaha.

Emmett was truly an incredible baby boy who had a true love for life and those who cared for him. He touched a countless number of lives with his strength and resilience. His surgeon, Dr. Ali Ibrahimye, said “He is like a superhero who gets shot in the chest but just keeps going” and that is exactly what Emmett always did.

During Emmett’s good days his favorite things were to be read to and he loved snuggling with his mama. On Emmett’s bad days he loved just being talked to and he loved when his nurses or mama would rub his head. Emmett had an infectious smile and he really enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror.

Emmett spent his whole life, 321 days, in the CICU at Children’s Hospital. In those days he went through a countless number of procedures. In November 2020 he was listed for a heart transplant and ten days later he received his new heart, something that his family and medical team thought would get him home. In true Emmett fashion it did not go as planned.

Emmett’s journey had been a long and difficult one and he remained strong until the end. And then God wrapped his arms around Emmett and took him home when his body was tired. He had amassed a large following of loyal prayer warriors on his Facebook page, Heart Strong for EV, who had followed his journey from the beginning. And to all of them Emmett’s family is forever grateful.

Emmett’s family would like to thank Emmett’s incredible medical team. Another one of his favorite things to do was to always keep them on their toes, and they handled it well. To all of his CICU family, from the very bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking care of and loving our baby boy.

To Dr. Ali, Dr. Hammel and Dr. Duncan thank you for working tirelessly to help Emmett. We are eternally grateful to each of you for everything.

Emmett was truly a one of a kind miracle and will be missed greatly and will be loved for always.

Left to cherish the memory of Emmett are his parents, Jesse and Rachel Grove; proud big brother William of Battle Creek; maternal grandparents Tedd and Lynn Christensen of Fontanelle and Pat and Monica Brodersen of Battle Creek; paternal grandparents Burley and Jeanie Grove of Battle Creek; maternal great-grandparents Jim and Fran Brodersen of Mapleton and Joyce Tromp of Battle Creek; aunts and uncles: Justin and Carman Grove of Holstein, Ed and Jenni Sohm of Battle Creek, Lee and Jess Wallace of Battle Creek, Ben and Jordan Bjorholm of Urbandale and Patrick Brodersen of Yankton, South Dakota; many cousins and extended family.

Angels greeting Emmett with open arms are his paternal great-grandparents Vern and Arlene Reitz, Burley and Edna Grove; maternal great-grandparents Chuck Tromp, Earl Christensen, Ralph and Ada Habinck; great uncles Mike Brodersen and Steve James and great aunt Sherrie Gritten.