Lori A. Ayala

Lori Ayala (née Frederick) February 14, 1963 – August 6, 2025 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Lori Ayala, a loving sister, aunt, and friend, who passed away on August 6, 2025, due to heart failure. She was 62 years old. Born on Valentine's Day in 1963, Lori brought love and laughter into the world from the beginning. She was a vibrant, resilient woman-sharp-witted, deeply creative, and always quick to make others laugh. Even in the hardest times, she managed to bring warmth, humor, and light to those around her. Lori's life was not an easy one. She endured more than most, with a strength that often went unseen. She faced profound challenges, personal losses, and heartache, yet never let them harden her. Her story is a reminder that people deserve to be seen for who they truly are-not judged by the hardest parts of their journey, but remembered for their resilience, their heart, and the love they still managed to give. She is survived by her children Johnny, Nicholas, and Marie; her devoted sisters, Lysa Youngquist and Leslie Frederick, who were by her side until the very end; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Troy Allyson Janna Billy Bobby. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Jan Frederick; her son, Joshua Vaughan; her brothers, Doug and Don Frederick; and the love of her life, Steve Kelling. Lori found joy in the little things-reading books in her car at her favorite spots around Ankeny, creating art through cross-stitch and coloring. She was a lifelong fan of John Denver and George Strait, and she proudly cheered for the Pittsburgh Steelers every season. Her sense of humor was unmatched, and she had a gift for making people laugh even in the darkest moments. In her final year, she found happiness in singing karaoke with friends. She will be remembered for her complexity, her fire, and the fierce love she gave to those who stood by her. Lori lived authentically, with strength, laughter, and a heart that never stopped trying. A Celebration of Life Service for Lori will be held at 2PM Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Ankeny Funeral Home 1510 W 1st Street in Ankeny, with visitation from 1PM until service time. Burial to follow at the White Oak Cemetery in Elkhart, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her memory.