The following was provided to Shrader Funeral Home by Kaela's mother:  "Kaela was born on Oct. 9, 1990, in St. Louis. From the moment she entered our lives, she has been our pride and joy. Words cannot express how much we love her and what she meant to us.

She was an easy baby to take care of. Her dad and I would take turns getting up through the night. I would stay up until her nightly feeding and Shawn would go to bed, then he would take the true middle of the night feeding. I then took the very early morning feeding. We both agree that those were the most precious times, just one of us and her together in quietness and peace. Our precious baby girl.

When her brother Andrew came along two years later, it was as if he belonged there, and he did, even for Kaela. Kaela loved her little brother with all her heart. She would feed him, hold him, put his pacifier back in his mouth, whatever he needed. She was always there for him. She did not have a bit of jealousy for Andrew. They quickly became playmates and were our entertainment in the evening. We honestly didn't turn on the TV, they were our comedy show and we laughed and loved to watch them do whatever they did each evening. We were so blessed with two beautiful children.

Her brother, Evan, came two years after Andrew. They were excited to have another member of our family! Can you believe it? They were both so selfless, that again, there was no jealousy. Evan spent 10 days in intensive care. Kaela and Andrew would come with us almost every day to see their little brother. Our family, again, just molded together. We knew this was God's plan. Again, as Evan got older, he became part of the entertainent. It was wonderful. We rejoiced in the blessing of our family.

Grace came four and a half years later. Kaela was nine years old then. By then, she was a professional helper. It was just in her nature to be concerned for me and what I or her brothers or sister needed. She was so wise even at nine years old. So mature. I had to be cautious of how much I had her do, her childhood and play time were too important. By this time, our house was CRAZY! Fingernail polish on the carpet, boys climbing out windows.....being caught by the neighbors. A baby crying and wanting fed. We were blessed yet again.

Natalie was born three years later. It was still as if the older kids had never had a baby in the house. They were instantly in love with her and would do anything for her that needed to be done. We would fight over who got to hold her or who got to feed her. You would think Kaela would be worn out by the time Natalie came, but she wasn't. We knew that our perfect family was complete.

Kaela went to preschool at Meramec Valley in Pacific. She went to kindergarten through third grade at Truman Elementary. She started homeschooling in the fourth grade and went to DaySpring Academy part-time for her 8th grade and freshman year. She started at Eureka High School her sophomore year and graduated from Eureka High School in 2009.

She moved to Florida after she graduated and lived there for a year. She went to school part-time and worked at Plato's Closet full-time. She became assistant manager and I was so proud of her! She said that it was not a big deal, but I thought it was. She has always been a hard worker. We missed her, but we knew that it was a great opportunity to live in Florida. What 19 year old wouldn't want to do that?

She moved home last summer and started college at St. Louis Community College in Wildwood. She was doing amazing...she said two or three times, "Mom, can you believe people just skip class? You pay for it and then you don't go? Then you end up doing bad. How stupid is that?" She was so wise.

She also worked at Sports Authority. She really loved working there. She liked the weeks when she would get 30 hours. She studied hard and went to school, but work was just as important to her. She did everything to the best of her ability. She gave everything she had in all she did.

She was on her way to work when the accident happened. That day my family's lives were forever changed. Kaela continued to be a part of her sisters' and brothers' lives. They definitely fought, but their relationships were deep and special, very special. She made them laugh....she made us all laugh.

I'm thankful for the homeschooling years. The time we spent together as a family is what bonded us so closely together. I know that what we have is unique. A connection that will never go away.

She had a three year and one month relationship with Ted Engelage. Shawn and I thought she was too young to be "in love". Little did we know that she would move mountains for Ted if she could. I believe she loved him with everything she had. It was evident in her smile and her laugh when she was with him. I'm thankful that she got to experience true love. So thankful. My heart breaks for Ted.

She had many, many wonderful friends and I am honored by how much they love our precious, sweet daughter.

She was our first born, our special, beautiful, perfect, wise, thoughtful, caring baby girl. Our angel. Our hearts are broken. She would light up a room when she came in. She smiled constantly and you just knew that she was happy. How can we live without her? We trust that our God will go before us each day. There is no other way that we could possibly survive otherwise."

Coverage of the accident that took Kaela's life was reported this week.  Funeral arrangements also were reported this weekend.  A fund to assist the family was established through Rockwood Bank.