The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • A heart of colorful hands has eased the pain Ken “Sully” Sullivan has felt since his daughter, 25-year-old Ashley Sullivan, was murdered by a former boyfriend in January. Pat Christman

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  • Ashley Sullivan, who was killed by her estranged boyfriend, lived for her sons, Jaymes (left) and Audrick, according to her father. Submitted photo

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  • Ken Sullivan said the condolences students shared with him were simple, but heartfelt. Pat Christman

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February 7, 2010

Students, strangers reach out to victim's father

A display of hands in elementary school

By Dan Nienaber Free Press Staff Writer

LAKE CRYSTAL — After losing his oldest daughter in an act of domestic violence that he believes could have been prevented, Ken “Sully” Sullivan admits he has concerns about “the system” and its human elements.

He will also tell you he still has much to be thankful for, including all the good people in his life.

Those people include the 400 or so elementary students he spends time with every day in Lake Crystal, where he works as a school custodian.

They’ve given him hugs and told them they’re sorry he’s lost his daughter, 25-year-old Ashley Sullivan of Lewisville. She and her mother’s second husband, Chet Gronewold, 59, were murdered by 28-year-old Shawn Haugen. After being released from jail for a second time while facing several charges for threatening and harassing Ashley in two counties, Haugen broke into Gronewald’s house outside of Lewisville and killed them both before killing himself Jan. 17.

It was an act of violence that’s hard to comprehend for most children, but they responded to Sully’s loss with a simple act of kindness. During art class, they traced their hands on construction paper and wrote simple messages.

They’ve been taped up on a wall in the shape of a colorful heart, a heart that has grown in size since he returned to work after taking time off for Ashley’s funeral.

“I was surprised and it really touched me,” Sullivan said. “I know a good half of the school’s kids by first name. It’s the kids — that’s why I took this job.”

Support for Sullivan and his family also has come from a former stranger.  Sullivan didn’t meet Angel Coopman until after Ashley was gone. Coopman, who was a childhood friend of Ashley’s, set up a Facebook Web site called “In loving memory of Ashley Ann Sullivan.” It has grown to include 2,212 members.

Coopman also has organized a March 13 fundraiser at the American Legion in Lake Crystal for Ashley’s sons, Jaymes Deree, 6, and Audrick Haugen, 18 months. There will be a silent auction, dinner and live music by 69 Cents. Auction items are still being collected at the Elevate Church on Riverfront Drive in Mankato (across from the Salvation Army).

It’s been a complicated job that Sullivan said he wouldn’t have been able to pull off on his own for his grandsons.

“I think it helps him to know he can step in with us and help Ashley’s boys out somehow,” Coopman said. “It’s been heart wrenching to hear how much this has hurt him. I’m just glad we can help him out.”

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