Leilani "Koa" Gonzalez
March 21, 2023
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Service Details
Leilani “Koa” Gonzalez passed away on March 21, 2023, at her home in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 13 years old.
Leilani was born on March 14, 2010, in Des Moines, Iowa, to her parents Jonathan Gonzalez-Velez and Danielle Yonemura. She attended Harding Middle School in Des Moines and was an avid reader, an aspiring writer, and one of the smartest and most articulate kids her age.
Leilani is survived by her mother, Danielle Yonemura; her father, Jonathan Gonzalez-Velez; and two little brothers, Giovanni Gonzalez, 5, and Dominic Gonzalez, 2.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa, at 5400 SW 9th Street.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Leilani.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
“If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see.
If the sun should rise and you find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today.
While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you.
And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand.
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.”
Mollie
07/11/2024
Koa … ive been missing u i still remember the day i found out u died how the breath from my lungs got trapped and i couldnt breath crying until my heart felt hot . Koa i didnt wanna believe u were gone but u are and i miss u everyday u were so sweet to me in school u were my best friend frl u walked me home one day and i will never forget that … koa u meant nothing but good and im so sorry u felt like u had to leave this world i should have stayed up there with u and helped u get threw this it feel like yesterday we were sitting on that bus tg after school talking our heads off . Dang koa i love you and i shoudve told u sooner .
Taliya
03/15/2024
hey boo I ain't get your balloon for your birthday but I will get it when I can I promise I love you boo
Taliya
03/14/2024
happy birthday koa
Taliya
03/11/2024
your birthday is in 3 days which means it is 10 days til it's been a year but you are forever 13, I cant even start to tell you about how I feel. These 2 weeks are going to be hard for everyone who knew you. I still remember when we first met and how we became friends, I made a TikTok about how bad Harding was and you commented on it, we started talking on TikTok and we had so much in common and became friends but I really miss you Koa
Samantha
12/31/2023
I'm so very sorry to just now have seen this. I'm so sorry this happened. I remember seeing you and playing with you when you were just a toddler. You were so adorable! Aloha Oe!
Taliya
12/12/2023
It's almost a year Koa, 3 more months I miss you. This year has went by so fast it fest like just yesterday I found out you were gone
Taliya
11/28/2023
Hey Koa it's me again. I've been thinking about you a lot I'm trying tp find where your grave is so I can come and visit you. I'm so sorry I couldn't come to your funeral it was my families birthday. I miss you so much we love you koa
Taliya
11/09/2023
Hey Koa this is my 3rd letter. Today we talked about sh and suicide and i cried because i thought of you right away. Me and Myah have your name on a bracelet because we miss you so much. It's almost been a year! We miss you and Love you
semajj
09/29/2023
I can't koa I miss being on the phone with you everyday. You mean the whole to me I just wish you can come back down now. Please for everybody🕊
Taliya
09/26/2023
Hey Koa it's me again, I miss you It's been 6 months. If I could pay for you to come back I would give god all the money every time I get paid. I love you so much, you were such a good friend, I loved your smile and every thing about you
semajj
09/07/2023
Theirs not a single day I don't forget about you I miss you
Christina
08/03/2023
Koa, you made everyone laugh and smile, I just wish I could have said bye. I miss you so much you are so sweet and I miss you. Your so beautiful and I love you so much. Youre such a kind hearted person, and you didnt deserve any of the pain you were going through. We all love and miss you Lani. ❤
Wren
06/14/2023
You went I to our school in 6th grade and I thought you were so cool, you were diffrent from everyone else and you always seemed so cool. I know our friendship was short and did not last long but I still hold the moments we had together. I knew you passed away a couple months ago but could not believe it. I really wish that we could have talked more and make more memories. Thank you for being a trusting friend and someone I could always look up too
Taliya
06/01/2023
Dear Koa, I miss you ever day you were such a good person. You are so beautiful.
Sofia
04/01/2023
Koa, you deserved far better than to endure such trauma and pain. You chose a fitting name for yourself: Kekoa. Warrior. You deserved to have your identity respected. You deserved a safe place where you felt accepted. Thank you for letting me be your friend, if only for a summer. It was an honor.