Kinsley Elliana Kimmes, 4 months, born on July 11, 2019 and passed away on November 18, 2019 at the Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Kinsley Elliana - her middle name means 'gift from God' and that's exactly what Kinsley was. She was a gift to all that had the privilege to meet her. Born against great odds with a difficult diagnosis, she met her challenges head on with the heart of a warrior. Her strength and resilience was indescribable; she conquered multiple surgeries and met every milestone that was set for her.  Simply put, she was tough. And we were all so very proud of her.

For such a little girl, Kinsley had a BIG attitude. She was master of the 'stink-eye' and had gotten quite good at 'playing possum'. She knew mommy wouldn't let any of her care team wake her up to take her blood pressure or get a temperature; so when she saw those yellow gowns come into the room suddenly those wide eyes were closed and she was "sleeping" (only to wake up shortly after their departure). We laughed about it all the time and never quit playing along. She always let you know when she didn't approve of what you were doing - she would furrow her brows, glare right at you and let out a "squawk"; she was outspoken from the very beginning. Most recently she had decided that she would only accept snuggles if they came along with butt pats and swinging from side to side; she would not allow any of us to sit in the chair to snuggle her. She didn't seem to care that our arms and shoulders were burning, she enjoyed the gentle sway we were providing, and she would not settle for less.

Kinsley made so many friends in the CV ICU; she was a favorite among nurses for her diva personality and her fashionable wardrobe. Over the past few weeks she made her daily trips around the unit in her wagon, stopping to say hi to her friends and yelling at anyone who dared tell her how cute she looked. In the evenings she enjoyed her nightly spa treatments - bath time followed by a lotion massage. Her favorite part was having her hair washed.

During the weekdays, Kinsley enjoyed studying with her mama; she was her mama's little veterinarian in training. She was also very good at initiating study breaks, whether it be for a quick dance party (she loved country music) or snuggling up to read her favorite book, pout pout fish. Weekends were often spent cheering on the Packers with her daddy (or falling asleep in his arms - he was the best cuddler).

The best part of Kinsley's day was probably the afternoon when her bestie, Grandpa Randy, would arrive. Grandpa always knew exactly what she wanted, whether it was cuddles or back pats or a wagon ride; he was happy to oblige. Thursdays and Fridays were her favorite days of the week because those were Grandma Kim's days with Kinsley. Those were the days filled with lots of activities, singing and adding more decorations to our little room in the ICU. Most recently, Grandma made us a beautiful paper chain to hang on our door, the top read "I am going home in this many days". There was one loop of paper left to remove from the chain on the day that Kinsley passed away; she left this world just one day short of her discharge date. In true Kinsley fashion, her idea of "going home" was not the same as ours.

Kinsley was truly the light of our lives. She was breathtakingly beautiful, incredibly courageous and wholesomely innocent. Her entire family will hold her in our hearts forever.

Kinsley is survived by her parents, Farynn (Lagro) and Joseph Kimmes; her grandparents, Kim & Randy Lagro and Julie Kimmes; her aunties, Faydra Lagro, Kallyn Lagro and Jessica Kimmes; uncles Jeb Kimmes & Josh (Alison) Kimmes; her great grandparents Patsy & Neil Lagro and Bev & Charlie Allen; along with countless great aunts, uncles and cousins. She is greeted in Heaven by her grandpa, Joey Kimmes; great grandparents Bev & Walt Farden; great grandpa Joe Kimmes; and her new best friend, Charlie beagle, along with many other loved ones.

Her funeral mass will be held on Friday Nov. 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral of Christ the King Church. Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci will officiate. Visitation will begin one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to: Fund 11487 - Child Family Life Services,                                                                                                           University of Minnesota Foundation,                                                                                                                   PO Box 860266, Minneapolis MN 55486.                                                                                                         Please include Kinsley Kimmes in the memo line.