Kaylyn was born on September 4, 1967.  She enjoyed a full rich childhood, later enhanced by brother Glenn and sister Susanna.  In later life, their lives have become more closely knit.

She attended school in the Aldine Independent School District working through various bands and other extracurricular activities.  Her forte was always music and through that avenue was in District, Regional and State band competitions.

She was also a great softball player and was an asset to the teams she was on-making All Stars for many seasons.  She also played at the State and regional levels.

Kaylyn attended Lamar University in Beaumont where she played in the band and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design.  She worked in retail for Palais Royal while in school because she wanted to pay as much of her own way as she could.

Portions of her ministry came through her relationships with her peers and teachers and later advanced into full-blown, full time youth ministry.

At the time of her sudden departure, she had just completed on-line courses with the University of Phoenix aimed at a greater enhancement of her ministry in a technological age.

Kaylyn began her formal training in ministry, enrolling in courses at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  She continued these courses while applying for and receiving a five year grant from the Presbyterian General Assembly for the implementation of a youth program based on inclusion.  She sponsored the Advent Youth and enriched it with membership of the youth at First Lao Presbyterian Church which met on Advent’s campus. She became a real force for youth.  She also ministered to the Advent congregation through her beautiful voice and her love for music.  Kaylyn kept her passion for youth ministry alive while working full time in retail.

One day, while all of these activities were going on, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Neenah, Wisconsin called her to youth ministry.  Kaylyn told her mother and I, “It’s a pay cut but it is what I feel the Lord has called me to do.”  So, Gloria Dei sent two men, Don and Mel with a truck to move her.  She was there some five plus years.  Her ministry there was outstanding and she even found time to serve massive doses of hot chocolate and cookies to high school students on Thursday afternoons before school bus departure. She called one afternoon to tell us that her attendance was over 225 on a single Thursday.

Kaylyn also taught Confirmation.  Being thrust into Lutheran Polity and ideologies, she accepted the assignment with her usual gusto and passion.  Once again, she became a force for youth.  She also facilitated intergenerational activities.

Out of the blue, came an announcement that she was going to interview with Holy Comforter Lutheran Church…she wanted to come home…a real blessing in so many ways given the current situation we find ourselves in.  Some time passed from the time she was offered the position until she came but it finally happened and she worked among you all for such a short period of time with a real passion and love for Jesus Christ.  She deeply loved this congregation and joyously shared the love and promises of Jesus with you as with the others she served. She became a force for youth and family.

She worked with you while performing another ministry, that Brian Kaelin’s wife, home-maker and mother to Odessa and Zandalee…a ministry to which she also gave a great deal of passion and gusto.  She certainly was a force for them.

Kaylyn was eagerly looking forward to New Orleans and the National Youth Gathering.  We were fortunate to share the San Antonio youth experience with her several years ago.

Certainly she touched the lives of the young and not so young while here.  She worked diligently to organize mission trips to the Indians in the Dakotas and to other beneficiaries in other places- but all of her efforts were geared to the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, into whose eternal presence she slipped Sunday, March 8.  If they have  Mission trips in Heaven, she is either on one or organizing the next one.

Kaylyn touched so many lives including those of her parents.  We loved and still love her but her life was hers and she chose to spend it in ministry.

We know that she is at peace because she always knew whose she was.  She has taught us all so much about the unconditional love of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

God shared her with us and we have been than pleased to share her with so many in a positive way. Glory be to God!

Lovingly written by her parents.