Rep. Van Orden says eldest daughter died after battle with cancer

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) said Tuesday that his oldest daughter, Sydney Marie (Van Orden) Martenis, died after a yearlong battle with an aggressive form of cancer. 

Van Orden said she died “peacefully surrounded by her family” and that they were “heartbroken” by the news. 

“It is with the most profound sense of grief and joy that Sara Jane and I announce the passing of our oldest daughter, Sydney Marie (Van Orden) Martenis after a year of battling a very aggressive form of cancer. She died peacefully surrounded by her family,” the Republican congressman wrote in statement on social media. 

“We are heartbroken that we cannot share her smile and laugh in person any longer but are so thankful that she is resting with our Lord and that we were able to spend these years with her and her family,” Van Orden’s statement continued. 

“Sydney is survived by grandma Virginia Whitelock, husband Chris, daughter Madelyn, sons, Charlie and Roman, father and mother Derrick and Sara Jane, Sister Abigail (Williams), brothers, Theodore and Daniel, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins,” he wrote. “Thank you for all of the tender mercies you have shown to our family. May God bless you all.”

Fellow lawmakers expressed their condolences in statements. 

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) responded to Van Orden’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said he was praying for their family.

“No parent should have to experience this kind of heartbreak. I’m praying for @RepVanOrden and his family during this tragic time,” he wrote.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said in a statement responding to her Wisconsin colleague’s announcement, “I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, @RepVanOrden. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones grieving this loss and I am keeping you in my thoughts during this difficult time.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said in a post, “Our hearts go out to the entire Van Orden family. Please join Jacquie and I in praying for them during this incredibly difficult time.”