Celia Rose Kifer was loved from the moment she was created. Sadly, in December, she was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a rare genetic disorder that caused her heart and other organs to not develop correctly. Her parents had a choice to make: continue with the pregnancy toward an uncertain future, or terminate the pregnancy. Having seen her little heart beating on the ultrasound, and having loved her for 20 weeks at that point, the decision was easy. Her parents were going to continue loving her, no matter what.

At the 30 week checkup, the doctors couldn’t find a heartbeat, because Celia had gone to Jesus. Her mother opted for a C-section to preserve Celia’s fragile little body, putting her baby’s needs before her own. Celia’s parents and big sister still love her very much, and look forward to the day that they are reunited together in Heaven, where there is no Trisomy 18.

Celia leaves behind her parents, Drew and Jessica Kifer, her sister Cora Jean Kifer, her grandparents Thane and Suzanne Kifer and Joe and Susan Dial, and a loving extended family.

A Private Service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020.


Psalm 139 13-16

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.



For those wishing to help others in the way that we have been helped, please consider making a contribution to one or more of the following organizations:

-Mercy Health Foundation Springfield - Heart Prints Memory Box Fund: www.mercyhealthfoundation.net/communities/springfield or call 417-820-9853

-On Angel's Wings www.OAWphoto.org or call 417-834-3670

-Trisomy 18 Foundation www.trisomy18.org/donate