In July 2018, Dakota Nelson was puttering around in the garage with his wife, Ream. The happy couple was laughing and goofing around. Everything seemed perfectly normal.
At one point, Dakota left the garage for a few minutes to grab some tools — then returned to find his 38-year-old wife unconscious on the ground. Her face was blue and she wasn't breathing.
Dakota attempted CPR while their 11-year-old son called 911. Doctors said Ream's brain went without oxygen for at least 20 minutes.
Ream was in a coma for weeks before she died. Doctors still don't know what exactly caused her shocking death.
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Dakota was suddenly left to raise their seven children, ages 1 through 16, as a single father and grieving widower. He worked three part-time jobs to pay the bills.
An anonymous donor looking to spread some holiday cheer heard Dakota's story and immediately wanted to help, just in time for the holiday season.
When Dakota opened his gift, he was left absolutely speechless … then cried tears of gratitude.
If you would like to help the Nelson family in any way, please visit their GoFundMe page created by Ream's sister.
