Kenzie Kay Jean Linder was born Friday, May 12, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois, and departed this life peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the loving arms of her mother and father. Kenzie was baptized as a Child of God with her parents and grandparents at her bedside before her passing.
Kenzie was the daughter of Cole and Morgan and much anticipated baby sister to brother Knox. Her sweet life was filled with great love, many struggles, precious kisses, and an abundance of prayers.
Our sweet Kenzie Kay Jean was named after two very strong, important women in Cole and Morgan’s life. Mrs. Kay Kitley and Mrs. Jean Pittman, both of whom departed this life too soon and are missed every day. Cole and Morgan had wished to honor these women by naming their precious daughter after them both from the day they found out they were expecting a baby girl.
Kenzie is survived by her parents: Cole and Morgan Linder of Flora; her brother: Knox Linder of Flora; maternal grandparents: Kent and Tisha Kitley of Flora; paternal grandparents: Bruce and Emily Pittman of Clay City, and Craig and Shannon Linder of Marshfield, Missouri; maternal great-grandparents: Jerry and Vicky Middleton and Bill Kitley; paternal great-grandparents: Kate Hastings and Gordon Jackson, Allen Pittman, William and Glynda Linder, and Nancy Weiser and Darlene Newton; paternal great-great-grandmother: Joan Rowland; aunts and uncles: Colton and Misty Kitley, Ethan Pittman, and Taylor Pittman; along with a host of special great aunts and uncles, cousins, extended family, and many, many special friends.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandmother: Kay Kitley; maternal great-great-grandmother: Eva Middleton; maternal great-great-grandparents: Marie and Edwin French, Roy and Pansy Kitley, and Henry and Eula Skelton; paternal great-grandmother: Jean Pittman; paternal great-grandfather’s: Al Weiser and Darrell Newton; and paternal great-great grandfather: Arthur Rowland.
While Kenzie’s time here on earth was short, the impact she had was huge. She touched many lives in her 10 days and had millions of prayers sent up to heaven for her. Kenzie’s prayer chain reached the world over. Although the outcome is not what we had hoped and prayed for, the family is forever thankful for each and every one of those prayers sent for our sweet Kenzie.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Kneff Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the family to help with Kenzie’s final expenses and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence, visit: www.frankandbright.com