After Anna Maria Kawano gave birth to her fifth child on the evening of Dec. 19, she suffered complications from labor and died early the following morning. That’s when friends of the family immediately rushed in to assist the family.

The 44-year-old’s death left her husband Doug Kawano with their five children, Makoto, Sakura, Kohana, Yuriana and the baby Benjiro. The children range in ages from newborn to 11 years old. Early efforts by friends included finding breast milk donors to feed the baby, helping with meals and taking turns staying overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to care for the Christmas season baby.

Family friend Kalee Goolsbey said efforts to assist the family will be a “long haul.”

There were immediate concerns for the newborn and folks responded quickly, donating milk and food and stepping up to ensure all the children are cared for while the family grieves. One of their concerns is for the oldest child, not wanting her to feel like she needs to immediately step up and be a mom to the other four children.

“Helping is fine and good for kids, but we want her to be able to still be a kid too,” Goolsbey said.

She helped organize assistance, launching a GoFundMe account as well as the Doug Kawano Family Fund at the Powell Big Horn Federal Savings Bank. The GoFundMe has raised just over $13,000 of the $20,000 goal.

Anna Maria was born on May 8, 1979 in Kaycee. The family said in her obituary that she “was a source of strength and inspiration to her family, and their love for her will endure forever.”

Anna Maria cherished her faith deeply and found solace at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.

“Her devotion to God was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was always eager to lend a helping hand at church events and actively participated in various religious ceremonies,” the family said in the obituary.

A rosary service will be held Thursday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be held Friday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. at the church. Anna Maria’s burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery following the services.

The family’s immediate needs are being met, Goolsbey reported.

“They are being flooded with milk donations, a huge blessing, diapers, wipes, and all other baby needs,” she said, adding, “Keep wrapping this family in love and prayers.”

The Kawano family wanted to say thank you to the community for all they have done.

To help: gofundme.com/f/anna-kawano or Doug Kawano Family Fund, c/o Bighorn Federal Savings, 105 E 2nd St, Powell, WY 82435