Kailey Anne Pearson

Kailey Anne Pearson, 27, of Des Moines passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 17, from 10:00-11:00 am in The Chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 am with a luncheon in The Bridge after the service.

Friends described Kailey as a beautiful soul; the type of person who would have given anyone the shirt off her back. A young woman with a smile that lit up every room and infectious laugh, she cherished life so much, that any time she found a bug in the house, she would make her boyfriend, Zach Playle, take it outside and set it free. Zach also shared that Kailey always insisted on saying, “See ya,” whenever they left each other or hung up the phone and never, “Goodbye,” because to Kailey, goodbyes were too permanent.

Kailey’s closest friend, Amanda Knouse, recounted the many ways Kailey comforted others and always made sure no one felt left out. Throughout their school years, Amanda remembers Kailey always making sure no one sat alone at lunchtime, especially kids who were bullied or made fun of by others. Kailey’s love and compassion for those she knew, as well those she didn’t, was immense. Kailey’s uncle, Brad Freeman, described Kailey as someone who “took on life with a sense of guarded wonder and a thirst for connection with friends and family".

Kailey loved working with people and was most recently employed by Marriott Corporation where she worked the at the front desk. Her innate friendliness, warmth and caring manner made her highly regarded by Marriott guests and co-workers alike.

Kailey is survived by her mother, Jeri Hadley; her father, John Pearson and “bonus mom” Pam Dolezal; her siblings, Adam Pearson and Kyleigh Elias; her grandparents, Jane Freeman, Ray Whitlach and Jerry Freeman, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in and around the Des Moines area as well as in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Kailey is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, John and Ellen Pearson.

The family requests that donations be sent to Bridges of Iowa. Bridgesofiowa.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Pearson family.