GoFundMe Made For Late OHS Teacher's Family

OSWEGO, IL —Community members continue coming together less than a week after an a longtime Oswego High School teacher suddenly passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, A GoFundMe account has been created for Nicole Larsen's fiance, Tim Berkery, her family, funeral costs medical costs and other needs. As of Wednesday morning, just under $7,000 has been raised, surpassing a $5,000 goal.

Efforts to help Larsen's loved ones continue Wednesday night, Sept. 5 during a planned fundraiser at Portillo's, located at 2810 Route 34. Portillo's will donate 20 percent of proceeds from orders at the Oswego location starting at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., benefiting the science teacher's family. Bring in or show the flyer (posted below) via smartphone.

"As students, we encounter dozens of teachers everyday, but only a few stand out to us and continue to inspire us in our goals," Larsen's GoFundMe page creator, Robin Nicole Graham posted. "Nicole Larsen was one of those teachers."

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Oswego High School Principal Mike Wayne sent a message to parents Thursday morning, notifying them of Larsen's death, who taught at OHS for 17 years.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I share with you the news of the untimely loss of one of our own, science teacher Nicole Larsen," Wayne said in the message, calling Larsen "a bright spot in her school (whose) positivity and dedication to her students will be sorely missed."

On her staff bio page, Larsen said she began student teaching at the campus in 2001 and joined the science department in 2002. At OHS, she taught subjects including biology, honors biology, conceptual physical science, chemistry, honors anatomy and physiology, and medical topics.

Image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner