Xavier Rodriguez

Xavier Dean Rodriguez, age 4, entered heaven’s gates on February 26th, 2020 at 10:08 am, in St. Mary’s Hospital of Rochester, MN. Celebration of life will be at Bonnerup Funeral Home on Sunday, March 1st, 2020, in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 12 pm-2 pm and Celebration of Life will begin at 2 pm. Burial will take place after the memorial service at Graceland Cemetery.

Xavier blessed us with his presence on December 8, 2015, on his sister Letty’s birthday. He was born to proud parents, Jessica & Juan. Xavier was diagnosed at four months old with a SCN1A genetic mutation, which caused frequent seizures; later to be diagnosed as Dravet Syndrome. His first seizure happened at six months of age. With the Dravet Syndrome diagnosis, he qualified for “Make A Wish”, but unfortunately he didn’t get to make that wish.

Xavier was baptized January 24, 2016 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, in front of his proud parents and God-parents, Rachel, Amber and Travis, amongst many other family members. Xavier was a “strong” mama’s little man that was always happy, smiling, and full of never ending energy. Xavier captured our hearts from the moment we met him. He had a spark, a light inside him that could heal your soul. He was so silly and always had us laughing. He was so full of life. A true spit fire and the light of our lives. He was enrolled in preschool and loved going there to see his teachers and friends! He loved superhero’s , especially spider-man and PJ Masks. He is now not only our superhero, but a hero to other families as well, with the gift of his organs he is donating. Xavier means “savior” and he will continue to live up to that name even after his passing.

Xavier worked hard in his four years of life; helping out his mom with “cleaning”, trying out Annica’s make-up to make sure it’s safe, decorating whatever he can with markers, feeding Sotera, letting Macie “Stinky” out to go potty, helping his dad, grandpa and uncle with whatever they were tinkering with outside, calling Jasmine to make sure she is behaving, helping Gaige play hockey, drinking Trever’s water, babysitting Kalie, Tyrell, Kaiden, and Adilyn. He also babysat grandma a lot and while babysitting would try to do the dishes for her.

Left to cherish Xavier’s memory on the maternal side are: his parents, sisters, Neissa and Annica, , his four-legged sister: Sotera, grandparents, Darlene and Jeff Hall, great grandparents, Roger & Violet Baldwin, Aunts and uncles, Rachel Baldwin & James Rutherford, Travis Hall, and Amber & Justin Michaelis, best buddies (cousins), Kalie, Tyrell, Kaiden, Gaige, Trever, Adilyn and Jasmine and numerous other relatives. Also, his four legged buddies: Macie “Stinky”, Rocco, and Giselle. Left to cherish Xavier’s memory on the paternal side are: Juan Jr., Frank, Dora and Eduardo, Jose & Eileen, Marlin & Tim, Omar, Anna & Edgar, Jose, Malinda, Danielle, Abraham, Jesse, Mackayla, Ricky, Lily, Moses, and Eliza, Xavier was greeted in paradise by his sisters, Letticia “Letty” and Natalie, cousins, Madyson Hall & Josh Baldwin, and, great grandparents, Pat & Alvin Hall.

We would like to express our gratitude towards the amazing EMTs, fire department, AL police department, the amazing Mayo medical team in Albert Lea that didn’t give up on our little man, the flight team, and the amazing medical team at St. Mary’s. You are all superhero’s! We would love to see you and thank you personally. You are all welcome to come to the visitation and funeral. Thank you for giving us hope!