Mitchell Memorial Remembers 9-Year-Old Girl

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
February 04, 2013 10:03 PM


In honor of a nine-year-old girl killed last year in a drunk driving accident in Mitchell, the city parks department has set aside land to build a memorial for her.

The memorial will be called “Bella's Butterfly Garden,” in honor of Iszabella Morgan.
 
With the help of community donors, the butterfly garden would be built in a section of the existing Northridge Park in Mitchell.

Bella’s mother, Jeanie Morgan, said her little girl loved butterflies, which have become a symbol for Bella, representing her soul, faith and transition.

Morgan said she hopes this garden will be a place for community members to honor the life of Bella and other loved ones who have passed away.

"I miss her. I miss her a lot. I miss her singing, I miss her dancing, I miss everything," said Morgan.

Iszabella Morgan's life was taken at nine-years-old, she was killed when the car she was riding in got struck by a drunk driver less than a year ago in Mitchell.

"One of the most heart-breaking things that you could ever go through is losing a child," said Morgan.

Morgan said Bella lived only nine years, but the impact she had on others will last forever.

With community and city support, a butterfly garden will be built in Bella's honor.

The garden, in Northridge Park, sits just a block away from where Bella grew up.

"We would come here to play and walk and bring her puppy," said Morgan.

Bella's Butterfly Garden will be a place to remember Bella, reflect on the loss of loved ones and serve as a reminder to the tragedies that could happen from drunk driving.

"I hope that people learn and that you never think it's going to be you. You never know when that day when you'll lose somebody," said Morgan.

Dusty Rodiek with the Mitchell Parks & Recreation Department said funding for this project is up to the community, but once Parks & Rec constructs the garden, they will be taking care of the upkeep.

"We're going to do a lot of the labor, try to get this installed and we'll be taking care of the maintenance,” said Rodiek.

Morgan said Bella is dancing up in Heaven with the angels, and said this garden will carry on her legacy of positivity and love.

"To have a park in honor of her, that I can see everyday is going to be the most priceless thing I could ever have," said Morgan.

Bella’s family is thankful for the support they've received so far.

It will cost somewhere between $15,000.00-20,000.00 to construct Bella's Butterfly Garden.

People have already donated to the project, Parks & Rec officials said on Monday, Modern Woodmen, a local business in Mitchell, donated $1,500.00 to Bella's Butterfly Garden to help with landscaping supplies.

Bella's family has set up a bank account for anybody who wants to make a monetary donation; they’re also selling custom engraved bricks for the garden.

For more information, visit Bella’s family’s facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/events/list#!/events/425051180897634/