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Lake Park sets up fundraiser for murder victim's children

It's been eight months since a Hanover Park mother of two was killed by her estranged husband just hours after his release from the DuPage County jail on a domestic battery charge.

In that time, friends and family have marveled at the strength Jennifer Gustafson's two teenage children have shown adjusting to their new life.

Even though they transferred to a new school in January, their old school family at Lake Park High in Roselle has organized a fundraiser to benefit the daughter, now 17, and her younger brother, now 15.

“It started out as something our wellness committee wanted to do for health and camaraderie, but we thought why not help these kids at the same time,” faculty member Loree Turano said. “They had to deal with an unspeakable tragedy.”

Lake Park will host a Family 5K Walk/Run at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at the high school's East Campus, 600 S. Medinah Road, Roselle. For more information, visit signmeup.com/80987.

Gustafson's children now live with her cousin, Lisa Balata, who's in the process of becoming legal guardian with her husband. She said the two teens are doing surprisingly well.

“We're working hard at becoming a family,” Balata said. “They're doing well in school and socially, so we're getting there.”

Balata said she's concerned about their education, however. The family moved last December to a larger house in Norwood Park, which gave everyone their own room but required a move to the Chicago Public School system.

“The kids are doing fine, but it's just not the level of education I expected,” said Balata, who teaches at a suburban school.

She's trying to come up with the money to send them to private school next year, but it's expensive. The fundraiser, Balata said, was a welcome surprise.

“They've been gone for the last four months, so it's wonderful for Lake Park to offer that kind of support,” she said. “It's going to help so much.”

Turano said more than 200 people are already signed up to participate in the walk/run, but organizers are looking for more. They're also hoping the event brings awareness to domestic violence, listing local resources on fliers.

Hanover Park police found the 40-year-old Gustafson dead on Aug. 25, 2011, while conducting a well-being check. The discovery came a day after her husband was released from jail. Jeffrey Ferrigan, 50, had been ordered to have no contact with her for 72 hours.

Ferrigan, the only suspect in the murder, was shot three times the next day in Lockport when he approached police in a threatening manner with a knife, authorities said. He died several days later.

In the days before her death, Gustafson, who worked as a bartender at a Mount Prospect bistro, voiced fears her husband would harm her. She was granted an emergency order of protection against Ferrigan on Aug. 22 and had taken to checking in with friends and family each morning to let them know she was OK.

Balata has said Gustafson might be alive if it weren't for flaws in the system.

“This showed us that domestic violence isn't just something you see on the news,” Turano said. “It had a tremendous impact on our school.”

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Lake Park Family 5K Walk/Run

<b>Where</b>: Lake Park High School's East Campus, 600 S. Medinah Road, Roselle

<b>When</b>: Event starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 5; check-in starts at 6:30 a.m.

<b>Why</b>: Fundraiser benefiting Jennifer Gustafson's children

<b>Cost</b>: $20 for adults who register online, $25 on day of event; $15 for students 18 and under; T-shirt for those who register in advance.

<b>More information</b>: Visit <a href="https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/80987">signmeup.com/80987</a>

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