Kaylee Estrada

Kaylee Madalene Estrada was born March 31, 2014 in Des Moines, Iowa. Silly, sassy, and pink, Kaylee was bursting with personality and left a lasting impact on everyone she met. With an enchanting happiness, she seized every opportunity to interact with those she loved by debating on her communicator, rocking her newest pair of sunglasses, or participating in impromptu dance parties.

Kaylee had a rare disease called Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN) that is characterized by intermittent, rapid loss of control over voluntary movements. She never let PKAN define her and instead used it as an opportunity to educate others.

Kaylee loved spending time with family and her friends from ChildServe and school. Even as her disease progressed and it became harder for Kaylee to control her own body she always had a ready smile that lit up the room and brought joy to those she loved.

Kaylee passed away peacefully and pain free on Friday, August 7, 2020 at the age of 6. Kaylee continues to help others through her contributions to research and organ donations. She is lovingly remembered by her parents, Mike and Stacey Estrada; brother, Nickels; grandma, Amy Estrada; grandpa, Brian Kemp; nine aunts and uncles; six cousins; four great-grandparents; many extended family members; and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ruth (Van Der Beek) Kemp Strunk and Marty Estrada.

There will be a celebration of Kaylee’s life at First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines, 8250 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA 50131, at a later date. Social distancing and mask wearing required. The family encourages guests to wear pink in Kaylee’s honor and to share memories and celebrate her multi-faceted, tenacious life. Kaylee will be inurned at Highland Memory Gardens in a private service. Her legacy of strength and positivity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. A private family service will be held Wednesday, September 9th at Hamilton's Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m.

A special thank you to the staff at ChildServe where Kaylee lived for the last 18 months of her life and the countless others who supported us along Kaylee’s journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kaylee’s name may be directed to ChildServe, the Spoonbill Foundation, or NBIA Disorders Association.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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