Fred Oliver Molling was born on September 19, 2023, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and died in his sleep on February 8, 2025. He was loved deeply by his parents, Daniel and Claire Molling; his great-grandmother, Jo Mulder, his grandparents, Harry and Judy Molling and Jan and Carole Fields; his aunts and uncles, Michael and Cara Molling and Andrew and Annie Lewandoski; his cousins, Ben, Eli, Noah, Evie, and Margot; and so many more.

Fred loved to help – by wiping up a spill, throwing something in the trash, or sweeping the floor. He loved penguins – at the zoo and on his pajamas. He loved imitating animal sounds, reading books, looking at trucks, and being with his family.

But Fred's stay with us was far too brief. We are left longing for those stories that will never be told. We are left with the painful memory of what never should have happened. Our hearts are irreparably broken and still his life was a gift to us, his smile once lifted us. To remember this brings a painful joy. He brought joy and light to everyone he met, and especially to his parents, who will never stop missing him.

Public visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, February 15, at 9:30 AM at Trinity Reformed Church, 1224 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Fred's memory to either The Compassionate Friend's Non-Profit Organization for Grief (www.compassionatefriends.org) or, in honor of Fred's love of the book "Global Babies," Helen Keller International (www.helenkellerintl.org), which works in 20 Countries to prevent disease and malnutrition, especially in children.