The Power Of Love On Display In Lake Havasu City

By Becky Maxedon

The power of community is always on display in Lake Havasu City, but on August 22, that power was clearly evident at The Clothes Closet on Mesquite Avenue.

Prior to that, Brad Lasker was making a rock garden out front of the business for owner Christine Buntemeyer.

The 77-year-old said Buntemeyer and he started talking and he told her about the journey he had been on with his partner Pam Richardson, who has been fighting bladder cancer for the last few years.

The couple, together for the past 20 years, moved to Lake Havasu City about 12 years ago from Irvine, Calif.

Lasker had been caring for his mother who had suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease.

“When she passed, I had a friend out here and he suggested I come out and work with him,” Lasker said. “And so I did. Pam followed.”

Richardson, 72, began dealing with repeated urinary tract infections, Lasker said.

That began the couple’s medical journey.

Richardson was finally diagnosed with bladder cancer and had been to hospitals and cancer centers from Las Vegas, Nev., to Los Angeles, Calif., seeking treatment. Richardson’s treatment is now centered in Kingman.

Helping them along the way with travel expenses has been Don’t Be Greedy, a nonprofit operated by Heidi Greedy to assist people with travel expenses for out of town treatment.

Finally, at Keck Hospital in Los Angeles, Richardson’s bladder was removed. The cancer had also spread to her pelvic area.

“We were hoping for a good remission, but it just didn’t happen,” Lasker said.

But let’s return to his conversation with Buntemeyer.

“I told her about our journey and she asked me how long we had been together. I told her about 20 years, but we never married.

“She said, ‘Then, let’s get you married here.’”

“At the end of July, Brad came into the Clothes Closet and shared the heartbreaking news that Pam’s cancer prognosis had become very serious,” Buntemeyer said.

“We sat together, talked, prayed and learned that Pam and Brad had been together for 20 years but never married. They had talked about marriage many times over the years, but it had never happened,” she said.

Buntemeyer knew with a short time, she needed to make the dream happen quickly.

“In just three weeks, an incredible group of people and businesses stepped forward to help us with a wedding to remember.”

What followed was a community outpouring fit for the finest wedding. 

“It just all came together. We invited local friends and friends came from out of town. It was really a miracle. It was amazing. I just had to stand back and say whooof,” Lasker said.

“The wedding was about so much more than a ceremony. It was about love, hope, faith, friendship and community coming together when it mattered most,” Buntemeyer said.

During the couple’s journey, Lasker said, they have come in contact with many organizations and nonprofits that help with different aspects of treatment and care. 

River Valley Hospice has been a big part of their lives and even provided a limousine for the couple to arrive for their big day.

Buntemeyer said others helped including: Shugrue’s restaurant donated food; Lady Di’s florist provided the flowers; Patti and Paul created 3-D printed flower vases and centerpieces; Albertson’s donated the cake; Pastor Joe Sousa from Christ Alone Church performed the ceremony; Jillian Danielson, Tyanna and Julie Wilson, photographed and videoed the nuptials; Sweetheart Ministries built the window frame for photos and helped with cleanup; Nana and Barbara helped the proceedings flow; and Home Depot donated the lattice that transformed the space.

“It was an incredible honor to witness Pam and Brad say ‘I Do’ after 20 years together and to help give them  a day filled with love and memories that they can treasure,” Buntemeyer said.

“Thank you everyone who helped make their day possible and for showing what can happen when a community comes together with love.”