A holiday weekend comes to a tragic end for a Michiana family.

A Nappanee mother died in a terrible car accident yet her two children in the back seat survived.

It happened Monday afternoon on State Road 331 just south of Bremen.

Police say 32-year-old Heather Mattern was coming home from a long Thanksgiving weekend in Illinois with her two sons in the car.

According to police Mattern slowly drifted into oncoming traffic when she fell asleep at the wheel.

The semi she was approaching tried his best to avoid her but she still hit the last set of his wheels.

Mattern died upon impact yet her two year old son and 4 month old son both survived with minor injuries.

"By the time the two vehicles came together, the cab of the truck was already in a ditch. He was already at an angle trying to get off at a pit in the cornfield, to avoid it,” says First Sergeant Daniel Butt.

The Matterns are very involved with the Nappanee Missionary Church. Church members say Heather was a self-less, gracious, and loving person.

"This has been such a hard blow. Anytime someone dies it is difficult and then when a young mother dies and leaves behind two little kids it grips the heart,” says Pastor Dave Engbrecht.

Police are giving credit to child safety seats for these two saving lives.

Mattern leaves behind a husband. He couldn’t go on the trip because he had to stay behind and work.