Kelsey Lynne Gross

It's your birthday today Kelsey! Happy 31st birthday peanut! We had cake and ice cream together today. I remember the day you were born, and you will live in my heart forever. I love and miss you so much. Dad.

Happy memories of you on this Valentine's Day Kelsey. Our Family Reunion in N. D., and having a fun day having ice cream together in Long Beach WA. I miss and love you peanut. Thinking of you always. Dad

Oh my KLG, my ride or die. My girl. Kelsey Lynne Gross. I don´t even know where to begin. We were two souls meant to meet each other. Our connection was instant and our friendship was so powerful. I felt like you were the sister I never had. It makes sense when we found out that our dads both lived in this tiny town in North Dakota at the SAME time. My dad was a senior and yours was in 6th grade (the same as my uncle).

All throughout middle school we would call each other every morning while we got ready for school to see what we were wearing. We joined the track team just so we could hangout longer but we were both secretly good at running. By the end of middle school we both got boundey exceptions to go to Columbia River because we just wanted to still be together. Your sister picked me up every morning and we would beg her to play our music and after school we would ask her to stop at Taco Bell for chalupas. We stayed up late redoing our MySpace and finding new music, plus taking selfies. In high school we joined the GSA & the bowling team together. Plus we went to our first high school dance together. Just so many firsts I shared with her.

I loved sharing so many memories with you Kelsey. I am so happy to call you my best friend for life. I´ll always love you my dearest klg.

What I adored about Kelsey was her aura, her ability to make you feel at ease was definitely contagious. Kelsey had a free spirit so connecting with Kelsey was very easy, she was the "real deal"...
Although Kelsey was a natural beauty, she knew how to do her hair and makeup to the nines which proved to me how creative she was "she walked into the salon one day with her hair up in a perfect bow" super cute ~ who does that ... I was blessed to have her as my hair client "thank you Brenda"...
Kelsey was full of personality too and had the best sense of humor "she got that from her momma I believe" I feel fortunate to have had quite a few good giggles with Kelsey & a couple deep conversations in my backyard that I will always treasure.
For my sweet longtime friend Brenda, Jeff and Family words cannot express the depth of sorrow I feel for your loss may you all find some peace knowing how much she was and will be forever loved.

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Kelsey closely, but we spent a few holiday celebrations together over the years! Kelsey was strikingly beautiful and had the kindest and most gentle spirit. It was a privilege to know her. I am heartbroken to hear she lost her battle this year. My deepest condolences to her family and close friends. She will be remembered with honor and love.

Sending heartfelt condolences and kind hopes for peace to Brenda, Jeff, Haley, Dakotah, Taylor, and all other family and friends during this time of grief arising from the sudden and tragic loss of Kelsey. I miss the presence of her spirit on Earth. Kelsey continues to inspire empathy for my inpatient substance use disorder clients. Kelsey personified the sensitive, deeply compassionate, and painfully aware people I am blessed to know through recovery work. Brenda and Jeff, you were witnessed providing love and guidance for Kelsey as you bravely confronted her illness while cherishing, encouraging, and supporting her as only you could. Kelsey, may you rest in joy and freedom as you travel beyond. Love, Aunt Julie

Kelsey through the years.

Kelsey is my second born and I will never forget the moment they layed her on my belly and we locked eyes. I cherish all my happy memories of her growing up. How she would take her pacifier out to talk and plop it back in. The way she scratched her belly in her onesie. We read all the Harry Potter books and when the second one came out as a movie she insisted it wouldn´t be too scary. Literally as soon as we got in the theatre and sat down she changed her mind! Watching her play sports...she was actually very athletic! She had such a kind heart for other kids who seemed to be underdogs or bullied. As she got older of course she had her difficulties and often we were at odds. But it´s because of those difficulties and her struggles that I learned so much about accepting others, being less judgmental and more understanding that everyone is fighting their own kind of battle and on their own journey. I´m a better person because the child taught the parent. My heart is broken she left this world so young with so much life ahead of her. But I´m also grateful she is no longer suffering and she is in a better place where there is unconditional love and understanding. I love you Kelsey.

The moment I saw it´s like my soul knew it had found the person it would call home. She was the most beautiful creation I´ve ever seen.