Kaitlyn Irene Schmalstieg, age 23, of Effingham, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Atchison Hospital.

A Celebration of Kaitlyn’s Life has been changed due to the forecasted weather will be at 6:00 p.m. TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020, at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Cremation care has been entrusted to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Kaitlyn was born November 13, 1996, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Randolph S. “Randy” Schmalstieg and Jennifer M. “Jenny” Forge.

Kaitlyn had an amazing laugh that went perfect with her beautiful crooked smile.  Her personality and character were great. She loved being home, but when she had to go somewhere she loved the bumpy car rides! She cherished every head rub she received and she had a priceless sparkle always in her eyes.

Left to cherish her memory include her parents, Jenny (Kevin) Wendt, Randy (Joelen) Schmalstieg; sister, Jessica (Ray) Runge; brother, William Schmalstieg; grandparents, Robert Forge, Sandra Schmalstieg, Buddy Schmalstieg; niece, Raven Runge; nephew, Jason Runge; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Karan Foster.