Barten Breakfast was a show of ‘support and love’
Fran Barten and the Will family pause for a photo during the annual Roman Barten Memorial Breakfast, Sunday, May 4, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. From left, back row, are Fran Barten, mom Amanda, dad Eric, Keaton; (front row, from left) Colton and Sofie. Fran Barten estimated 850 people attended the breakfast. Funds raised will help Colton, who was diagnosed with mixed phenotype lineage leukemia. (Patrick Fisher photo)
Like others that have been honored at the Roman Barten Memorial Breakfast, the Will family of rural New Prague found the experience almost indescribable. This year’s annual breakfast was held Sunday, May 4, at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
“It’s been absolutely mind blowing,” said Eric Will of the event. “It’s been incredible how there’s family, friends and people I don’t even know, who are here to support us.”
“I almost can’t put into words about it,” said Amanda Will. “It’s been overwhelming the amount support we’ve seen.”
Amanda and Eric’s 5-year-old son, Colton, was diagnosed with mixed phenotype lineage leukemia last spring. Since then, the family, including older son, Keaton, and daughter, Sofie, have been dealing with visits at the doctor’s office and time at the hospital. Colton is in the maintenance phase of his three-year treatment journey to become cancer free.
“It’s a beautiful day for it,” said Fran Barten of the sunny warm Sunday. She estimated 850 people attended the breakfast. “Colton’s story just touched a lot of people’s hearts.”
The Will family is the 17th family to be helped by the annual breakfast, said Fran Barten, whose family organizes and holds the breakfast, which is named after her late husband. Roman Barten was a believer in community and helping others, the Barten family carries on that belief with the breakfast.
Fran Barten noted there were...
To see more on this story pick up the May 8, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.
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