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Aaliyah West Obituary

Aaliyah West

Grimes

Aaliyah Jade West, 17, passed away June 22, 2013 in Grimes. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 28 at Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines. Burial will be at Sunny Hill Cemetery, Grimes. Aaliyah was born in Cherokee, IA on June 30, 1995, to Holly (West) Spengler and Sadik Hussein. She lived in Cherokee until moving to Grimes at age eleven. She attended high school at Dallas Center Grimes, where she would have been a senior this fall. She enjoyed hanging out with friends, shopping, and watching movies. Aaliyah had a fun, loving personality; everyone who knew her loved her. She always had a smile on her face with big dimples. She loved playing with her cat, Dolce, and newest cat, Snickers.

Aaliyah is survived by her mother, Holly West- Spengler; father, Sadik Hussein; sister, Mya Spengler age 13; brother, Brennan Spengler age eleven; grandparents, Dale and Diane West of Larrabee, IA; aunts, Shelley West of Cherokee and Jennifer (Brian) McDermott of KS; uncle, Dan (Jeanette) West of KS; seven cousins, Markus West-Pointer, Mitchell West, Jordan McDermott, Marshall McDermott, Kieran McDermott, Graceyn and Addelyn West; great aunts, Sherry Moret of Larrabee, Muriel Westling of LeMars, and Maren Hill of Marcus, IA; great uncles, Dean (Brenda) of Peterson, IA, John Wirth of Sioux City, and Mike (Karen) Wirth of NE. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Fred and Elva Wirth of KS, Ray West of Alta and Pearl West of Marcus, great aunt and uncle, Linda and Charlie Scheelhause of Sioux City.

Condolences and cards may be sent to:155 S.W. Maplewood Dr. Apt 3, Grimes, IA 50111.

Published by the Des Moines Register from Jun. 26 to Jun. 28, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Aaliyah West

Not sure what to say?





Such a beauitful soul.An angel now.
Will never be forgotten.love you.

Celine Mcmrry

June 21, 2014

I'm so sorry I forgot to leave my name with my entry from 08/18/13.

Aaliyah--Although your light shone for a brief moment, your memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved you.

Debra Andersn

August 19, 2013

I am originally from Iowa, and my cousin and her family live in Grimes, too. A couple months ago I was searching for the birth announcement of a friend's grandson in the DM Register when I came upon the tragic story of your daughter's passing. I wanted to wait a little while until things settled down a bit to send you these caring and heartfelt words. I know the deep sadness you are experiencing due to the loss of a loved one at such a young age because as I lost a brother through similar circumstances several years ago. Although the pain never completely goes away, I wanted you to not only know that someone else has walked the same sad path you are now travelling, but to also encourage you to look to God at this time because only He can heal a hurt this big.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

August 18, 2013

Chrystina Taylor

July 12, 2013

I have lit my candle for Leah but her eternal flame will burn bright and stay bright forever.

Hannah Evans

July 6, 2013

Such a beautiful young lady! Got to know her when she was younger and the best smile ever and which grew even bigger :)
May God Bless ALL your Family during this ever so hardship! AALIYAH you now will be in charge of watching over your family and the Lord Jesus has the GREAT PLEASURE of having You by His side! God Bless You Sweet Girl!

July 3, 2013

RIP miss Aaliyah!! She was so beautiful and sweet!! Thinking about all of you in this hard time. I remember babysitting her when she was like 2 and we would listen to the singer Aaliyah and dance in the living room:)

Cassie Ludwig

July 2, 2013

prayers for you all. just heartbreaking.

kelly boggs

July 2, 2013

I didn't know Aaliyah that well but every time I saw her she was smiling. Your smile an your laugh will be missed but lots. Fly high beautiful girl. Watch over your friends an family.

Rachel Hurm

June 28, 2013

Holly & family.... I am so sorry for your loss... what can one truly say? Know the Lord is with all of you at this time & that He is holding Aaliyah in His arms! May He guide & direct you at this time. Love & Blessings. Teresa & Marina Zazueta

June 27, 2013

West Family...sorry for your loss...what a beautiful young lady...May GOD be with you

The Sleezer Family

June 27, 2013

Our deepest sympathy to the entire West family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Charles and Gwen Mann

June 27, 2013

Please know that we are so sad to hear of the passing of your daughter,I remember her wonderfull smile.She will be truly missed by so many.Our thought's and prayer's will be with you.

Carter/Theresa Burkart/Sandstrom

June 27, 2013

Our deepest sympathy to the West family. May you find comfort in the people who surround you at this time.

Rick and Pat Bittner family

June 27, 2013

Brennan and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your sister/daughter. Many thoughts and prayers go out to you in this time of sadness.

Adam Ryan and family

June 27, 2013

this is crazy to me ....i just remember when you was a little baby and then recently seen pictures of how grown you are ...and then find this out...i am very sadden by this ...but now you have eternal life and we will keep your memory alive ..praying for the holly and the family ....rip aaliyah

victor brownfield

June 26, 2013

Brennen and family,
We are so very sorry for the loss if your beautiful sister and daughter. Please know you have been in our thoughts and prayers. May the joyous memories of Aaliyah bring you peace at this time and the promise of our Saviour bring you hope for tomorrow.

Shannon, John, Peyton, Isaac and Elias Arbuckle

June 26, 2013

Diane,Holly, Sadik,Mya, and Brennan...so very sorry for your loss. She was the most beautiful family member in our family. Please keep all the happy memories in your thought each time you think of her. We will be attending the funeral on Friday, so see you all then. Much love Aunt Muriel Smith and Family.

Muriel Smith

June 26, 2013

So sorry for your loss. Her smile will be missed.

June 26, 2013

We are going to miss you sooo much! I'm going to miss your big smiles and you coming over to the home.Just last year you was over swimming with Danielle and other friends. You will always be in our hearts always. Rest in peace our sweet angel of ours...

Eileen Armstrong

June 26, 2013

Received an email from Lutheran Church of Hope asking for prayers. Such a young, beautiful girl.
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

Jennie Davidson

June 26, 2013

Sympathy & prayers for your pain, loss,, and heartbresk in this time of sadness & loss of your beloved Aaliyah.

Lonnie & Harriett Laws

June 26, 2013

Our deepest Sympathy to the entire West family.
Chris and Erica Olson~ Family

June 26, 2013

Brennan....Sorry for the loss of your sister. Thinking of you and your family.

Caleb Nelson

June 26, 2013

valerie carlberg

June 26, 2013

Aaliyah,
You are truly missed by everyone. I will always have a picture of you, in my thoughts and prayer, with that beautiful smile and the cute dimples. When I always saw you you had the biggest smile on your face never sad, maybe mad but never showed it. You had a very special way of making people laugh and smile even if you didn't know them. You brought happiness and joy to every one of our lives. You will be STRONGLY missed and never forgotten. My family and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. She was a remarkable girl. Love you Aaliyah. It's your time to shine baby girl and watch over your family and friends.

Kara Spinden

June 26, 2013

So sorry to hear of our school and communities loss. May the Lord give you strength during this difficult time and in days to come.

Mrs. Koder

June 26, 2013

So sorry my prayers goes out to your family

celine kuehl

June 26, 2013

So sorry my prayers goes out to your family

celine kuehl

June 26, 2013

So sorry for your loss. Aaliyah will be missed by many. Our thought and prayers are with your family.

Matt & Trisha Smith

June 26, 2013

so sorry about your loss your family is in my prayers she will be a beatifull guardian angel watching over u every day

julie swanson hoyle

June 26, 2013

Rest in peace, baby girl.

Kathy Grimes

June 26, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you at such a difficult tme. May God hold you in his arms and comfort you during this time.

Vickie Miller

June 26, 2013

HOLLY I AM DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE TRULY IN MY HEART AND PRAYERS

cicely miller

June 26, 2013

Im sorry to hear about your loss,she was a very pretty girl.My thoughts and prayers will be going out to you and the family

Melissa Eberly

June 26, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Riley, Heidi, Terry Hyde

June 26, 2013

Chrystina Taylor

June 26, 2013

We are all going to miss you Aaliyah, and all of your friends and family are always going to always remember you. Holly your daughter was such a happy, nice, caring person.

Dominick Hayes

June 26, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss... Prayers for you and your family.

Claudia Flores

June 26, 2013

debra jensen-campbell

June 25, 2013

sorry about you loss.my prayers are with you all

debra Jensen-campbell

June 25, 2013

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

debra jensen-campbell

June 25, 2013

Aaliyah...I never dreamt this would ever happen, especially to someone as young and beautiful as you are. I wont forget some of the memories we made...like when I made a sandwich at your house, and I ate moldy bread and all you could do was laugh at me while I was gagging on it...going to the movies...the mall..seeing you everyday at school..my art buddy..my bus buddy...and most importantly, my best buddy. I wont forget you baby girl. Please keep close watch on Holly, Mya, and Brennan. They need you now more than ever.. I now have a beautiful angel watching over me. I love you.

Courtney Collins

June 25, 2013

Mya, Brennan;
The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:5
Love you!

Holly Baker

June 25, 2013

So sorry to hear about Aaliyah.she was so beautiful to young to be taken from everyone .Just want u to know she is a beautiful Angel looking over u all.My thoughts and prayers are with u all. God Bless

Amy Strahmann

June 25, 2013

We were so sorry to hear about your daughter. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Denny Arthur's

June 25, 2013

Holly Mya And Brennan, sorry about Aaliyah. Were all going to miss her.
Her smiles, giggles. Love ya all Grandma Spengler.

Alyce Spengler

June 25, 2013

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