Kaitlyn Quandahl, 5, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

Kaitlyn Marie Quandahl was born on Aug. 25, 2007, the daughter of Cory and Selina (Kurth) Quandahl in Decorah. Kaitlyn was baptized on Oct. 14, 2007, at the Hauge Lutheran Church, by the Rev. Gene Hermeier, with her godparents, Casey Quandahl and Stephanie Hill. Kaitlyn went to daycare at Aimee Klein’s home and attended preschool at the West Side School in Decorah. Kaitlyn loved to dance and loved dancing with Just for Kix. She enjoyed baking, cooking, dressing up and changing her clothes often and being a princess. She also liked to play with her kitty, Fluffy and her horse, Lucky, and her little cousin, baby Maren. She loved and cared for her family and always flashed that million dollar smile to all. Kaitlyn loved to dress up as a bride and to “marry” her Daddy and her Grandpa Ray. Her favorite colors were pink and purple and she loved all purple flowers. On July 28, 2012, Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Pontine Glioma (cancer of the brain stem) and received treatments at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Kaitlyn’s family was so grateful for their care and the extra time they got to spend with her. Kaitlyn was a member of the Hauge Lutheran Church, Decorah.

Kaitlyn is survived by her parents, Cory and Selina Quandahl, Decorah; her sister, Addison Quandahl, Decorah; her grandparents, Ray and Julie Quandahl, Decorah, Marsha Kurth, LaCrosse, Wis., Dale and Virginia Kurth, Waukon, Iowa, and Darrell and Alice Baumgartner, Waukon; great-grandparents, Belva Fadness and Ethel Quandahl, both of Decorah, Francis and Celia Garrett, Lansing, Iowa; aunts and uncles, Casey (fiancé Annie) Quandahl, Scottsdale, Ariz., Chris (Tara) Riley, Shellsburg, Iowa, Adam (Jessie) Kurth, Waukon, Iowa, Garrett Kurth, Waukon, and Megan (Ross) Lier, Waukon; cousins, Hailey, Maverick, Sullivan, Mia, Makenna, Maren, Brayden and Kooper; along with several great-aunts and uncles; and great-great-aunts and uncles. Kaitlyn is also survived by her special daycare friends at Aimee Klein’s home.

Kaitlyn was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Harold Fadness, Allen Quandahl, Gerald and Inez Kurth and Francis and Mary Riley.