Katie Marie Leffler
December 03, 2021
Katie Marie Leffler was born May 27, 1991 to Daryl and Kathy Leffler. Katie could not wait to enter this world and arrived very unexpectedly at 24 ½ weeks gestation. She weighed 1 pound 5 ounces, was 12 inches long and was not expected to survive. Proving that prognosis wrong, we were privileged to have her with us for 30 years, 6 months and 6 days until she left this world on December 3, 2021.
Katie had many challenges in her life, due to her extreme prematurity and the complications that came along with that. She spent her first 4 ½ months in the NICU at Mercy Medical Center getting to come home 1 month after her due date at just over 5 pounds. Throughout her life, Katie had many, many medical challenges and was not expected to survive on multiple occasions. Katie’s will to live and her tenacity were unbelievable. She was a living miracle and the toughest, strongest person we will ever know.
Katie was a character! Her smile and ornery personality could fill the room. Anyone who knew her knew her “I don’t like that!” face. She especially loved roughhousing with her brothers, being read to, listening to music, massages with good smelling lotions, having her head rubbed, being outside, swinging in a wheelchair swing, floating in a heated pool, being tucked in warm and cozy, and most of all Katie loved Cheetos!
Katie attended school at Southeast Polk for 3 years of preschool through 2nd grade. She attended Johnston from 3rd grade through her graduation in 2012. Katie loved school and especially riding the bus. She had many wonderful teachers and associates who brought wonderful enrichment and learning to her life.
Katie resided at ChildServe in Johnston, IA for 13 years and then moved to an adult residential setting at the Knapp House of Hope, a part of Mainstream Living in West Des Moines, IA where she has lived for the past 8 years. Throughout her life, Katie was so fortunate to have many exceptional caregivers and therapists and her family is forever grateful for the village of people who impacted Katie’s life as well as her family.
Katie is survived by her parents, Daryl and Kathy Leffler of Urbandale, IA; brothers, David (April) of Urbandale, IA and Kevin (Jen) of Manning, IA, and her sisters, Cori Leffler of Urbandale, IA and Lizzy Garcia (Anthony) of El Paso, TX. Katie is also survived by her 6 nieces and 1 nephew, Violet and Evelyn Leffler of Urbandale, Ada, Greta, August and Nora Leffler of Manning, and Arianna Garcia of El Paso; along with her maternal grandparents, Bill and Norma Mercer of Creston, IA; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends and caregivers who were so important in her life. Katie joins in heaven her paternal grandparents, Francis and Mary Leffler; uncles, LeRoy Leffler and Paul Leffler; and aunt LeAnn Mercer.
Katie’s family would like to thank MercyOne Hospice for the care she received the last 6 months and ChildServe for the wonderful care she received while living on the Continuing Care Unit. The family also thanks the staff at Knapp House of Hope. They always provided excellent care to Katie, but for the last 7 months of Katie’s life the care she received and the love shown to her was truly remarkable. Despite the challenges Katie faced all her life, she has been so fortunate to have been blessed by so many caring compassionate people, who truly cared about her.
Katie’s family finds peace knowing that she is no longer limited by the restraints of her earthly body and she is enjoying all the freedoms of Heaven. She will be missed and loved forever.
Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation on Friday, December 10, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the funeral service on Saturday, December 11 at 12:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed from www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. Burial will be at Altoona Cemetery in Altoona, IA.
Sarah Gummert
12/10/2021
Daryl, Kathy and Family; I cannot express my love for Katie and how I cherish being able to know you, your family and especially Katie Cakes. My, almost, 6 years spent at Knapp has changed me for the better and Katie is a huge part of that. I miss tucking her in tight, walking into her room to the smell of the wonderful laundry detergent you use and her wonderful smile! She will forever be in my heart. All of my love during this difficult time. Thinking of you all! I am SO very sorry for your loss. Sarah, Katie's old staff
Tim Leonard
12/10/2021
Kathy and family,
I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. Katie was an Angel on earth. A true blessing from above. Please accept my sincere condolences. May God Bless her soul and provide you with peace and comfort knowing she is in his heavenly kingdom. Your former neighbor and friend from Creston.
Susan Lawrence and Sharon Doolittle
12/10/2021
I know Katie brought great joy to many people. Our mother, Doris Blood, was one of them. After our dad died, Mom volunteered with an organization that gave seniors opportunities to minister to others. She spent time with Katie for several years, I believe. When she talked of Katie, she literally lit up. I never met Katie, but feel I know her through our mom. She loved your little girl! I hope Mom gets to see her run like the wind in Heaven.
Michalle Wignall
12/09/2021
Kathy & family,
I am so, so very sorry for the loss of your Katie. I often think about our visits at Child Serve of our sweet Katie and Rylan. I remember having to leave Child Serve and I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with not seeing you and sharing our stories. I am confident in knowing that our beautiful children are now free from their suffering down here and are running carefree!
Gail Kedzierski
12/09/2021
So very sorry for the loss of your daughter. Please have my deepest sympathy. May the many memories you shared remain with you forever. Hugs.
Nancy schrum
12/09/2021
I remember Katie. She was in my Sunday school class at the Methodist Church in Altoona. I remember when she was born and all the challenges you all faced. Lots a challenges. But having you as parents was a blessing. You and your family embraced her and as a result in her short life she knew love. And she taught you so much too. The joy of a special child. You have my sympathy. I cant imagine losing a child. Many more blessings
Mindy
12/08/2021
There are no words to express my sorrow for you but I truly believe Katie is running freely, laughing and free of pain and seizures. Katie was blessed with the most amazing family that over the last 30 yrs I have thought of fondly ,laughed,cried and smiled...much love to you all. ❤
Liz Fernstrum Puls
12/08/2021
Daryl and Kathy and family- You have been in my thoughts so much. I never had the pleasure of meeting Katie, but got to experience the joy, love, and pride her parents had for her. Hugs!
Kris Eastman
12/08/2021
Im so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of your family during this difficult time. Sending hugs and prayers.
Brent and Travis Krizer
12/07/2021
Leffler Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Katie. Sorrys are never enough to bring back the ones you loved. However, we both know that Mom welcomed Katie to heaven with open arms and is helping to take great care of her. Sending you all our love!
Norma Marvin aka: Harmony the clown
12/07/2021
To Daryl, Kathy, and family,
Rodney and I were so very sorry to hear of Katies passing. But now she is running free, and smiling from ear to ear.
I remember so well the time Sparky and Harmony came to your home to see Katie because she was not feeling well, she was down the hall in her room and we laid on the floor by the front door and called to Katie and her laughter filled the house each time we called. She had a smile that lit up the room when she entered it, and a giggle that filled our hearts to the brim.
Rodney and I send you all our love and hugs.
Norma and Rodney Marvin
Pat Ropp
12/07/2021
Oh Dear Kathy and Daryl and Family. This has to be such a hard time, so sorry for your loss. Katie was a joy to know , and it always made me laugh when she'd pull that side winder smile! May God comfort you all and hold you close, and may her precious memories ease some of the pain. God bless you all.
Melanie (Whitson) Hervey
12/07/2021
Kathy, Daryl and family, I am so very sorry for the loss of Katie. Sending you my love and prayers.
Tami Baumann
12/07/2021
My heart goes out to Daryl, Kathy and all the Leffler family. Katie was a miracle in so many ways. From your beautiful obituary it is clear she left this world knowing she was loved beyond measure. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Beth Sturtz
12/07/2021
Thank you for sharing Katie with so many of us. She was a bright light in this world that will be missed.