Amanda Hellman

A few days ago, The Costa Rica Star reported on an incident whereby a photojournalist on assignment for Diario Extra was viciously attacked by a tour operator in the Sarapiqui River. Reporter Alfonso Gatjens was investigating the tragic death of Amanda Hellman, a woman from the United States who lost her life during a kayaking tour of the river, which had been subject to inclement weather in the days prior to the accident.

The attack on Mr. Gatjens left him with little time to investigate and file his report, and thus we did not learn much about the woman who tragically left us. It so happens that Amanda Jayne Hellman was someone whom anyone would have loved to know and spend time with. Following is Amanda’s touching obituary from Cress Funeral Services in Wisconsin; you can also read the numerous kind memories left by those who knew her in life. May she rest in eternal peace.

On Thursday, January 29, 2015, we lost a truly amazing woman. Amanda Jayne Hellman, 35, died unexpectedly during a whitewater rafting accident on her honeymoon in Costa Rica.

Amanda, beloved wife, daughter, sister, outdoor adventurer, world traveler, marathon runner, amazing cook, and Harley enthusiast, was born July 14, 1979 in Humboldt, IA.

She attended Algona High School and graduated, Class of ’97. She continued her education, obtaining her Associates of Arts through the City College of Chicago while living in Italy. She then received her Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction in Dietetics at Iowa State University and her Master’s Degree with Honors in Human Nutrition at Eastern Michigan University.

Amanda was a Registered Dietician at Dean Clinic and Program Manager for Dean’s Weight Management Program. She volunteered and worked closely with Second Harvest Foodbank, where she also was an integral part of forming the program, HungerCare Coalition.

In December, 2011, she met the love of her life, Gus Lang. Together they enjoyed running, training for marathons, kayaking and being adventurous. They married on September 14, 2014 in Poynette, WI.

Amanda will be deeply missed by her husband, Gus; mother and father, Jan and John Hellman of Bancroft, IA; brothers, Ernie (Rajean) Eldridge of West Bend, IA, and Matt Newkirk of Waterloo, IA; sister, Tammy (Eric) Peterson of Spirit Lake, IA; mother and father-in-law, Terresa and Julian Lang of Ladysmith, WI; brothers-in-law, Jergen (Jody) Lang of New Auburn, WI, and Allen Lang of Bruce, WI. She is further survived by aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Steve; paternal grandparents, Alfred and Mary Hellman; and maternal grandparents, Stanley and Henrietta Widlund.

Amanda had a love of adventure and passion to remain active and healthy. She brought endless gifts of kindness and generosity to her family, friends, the surrounding communities, and especially to those less fortunate. She will be dearly missed, and her imprint will forever remain on the hearts of all the lives she touched.

A Celebration of Amanda’s life will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2015 at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, WI. Family and friends may gather at church after 3 p.m. until the time of service. A gathering and burial will follow in Bancroft, IA. For further information, please visit Oakcrest Funeral Service

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718. Second Harvest