Kaily Nicole DeFino

Services for Kaily Nicole DeFino, 35, of Indianola, who passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Des Moines, will be held 11 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Indianola First Assembly of God Church, with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
When Kaily entered this world she had a gentle spirit, always smiling, always kind and sensitive. As a child, she loved animals, Barbies, and exploring the outdoors. She especially enjoyed softball and gymnastics and was active in dance along with most sports growing up. She also had a talent for creative writing and having a way of expressing herself through her writing that would touch your heart. Kaily also expressed herself through singing and she loved to sing. Her children will tell you that one of their favorite memories are of her singing in the kitchen.
If you were to ask Kaily what was her biggest accomplishment, she would tell you it was being a mother. Kaily loved being a mother and her children brought her so much joy. She was a stay-at-home mom until all her children were in school and then she went to school as a teacher's associate. She had the patience and gentle nature to work with children who needed someone one on one. Prior to her getting ill, Kaily had planned on finishing her college education to become a teacher. She had been accepted by South Dakota State University to start in the fall of 2022. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in June of 2022. Kaily put her faith and trust in Jesus and fought hard for three years. During this time, she did her best to live her life to the fullest and she felt so blessed to have so many family, friends and the whole community supporting her and praying for her. She took comfort in knowing that there were so many people that would be here for her children, when she was no longer able to be. Kaily trusts God will take care of everything.
In her journal, she wrote down Psalm 139 several times. "Oh Lord, you have searched me and know me!" She wrote, "I am so thankful that you know my name Lord. That you chose me to be exactly who I am."
Kaily is survived by her children, Bianca, Giada, Salvatore and Leonardo DeFino and Noah Fuller; husband, Nicholas DeFino; parents, Kim (Tim) Naberhaus and Andrew (Debbie) Kruse; grandmothers, Judy Kenney and Peggy Kruse; siblings, Erin Naberhaus, Joey Naberhaus, Eric Naberhaus, Amanda Kirsch Laughlin, Jessie Kirsch and Zach Kruse. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Jack Kenney, Leroy Kruse and Jerry Lawson.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Memorials, in memory of Kaily, may be given to the Naberhaus Family Trust to assist her children.