Kayla Marie Nieders, 35, of Mexico, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at her home.

Funeral Services will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, December 29, at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Atkinson officiating. Burial will follow in South Fork Cemetery in Santa Fe.

Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

Kayla was born on October 21, 1988, the daughter of Carolyn Long. She was a 2007 graduate of Mexico High School. On October 8, 2022, in Mexico, she married Joseph Wayne Nieders.

Kayla was a loving person who was always willing to help, talk, listen or get into some mischief. To know her was to love her. She had an infectious smile and the most beautiful eyes. Her husband and kids were the most important to her life and she enjoyed spending time with them playing games and telling stories. When she did find a moment to herself, she would relax by doing diamond art crafts.

Kayla loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them doing a variety of things. She loved to be outside whether it was deer hunting, mushroom hunting, shooting guns, swimming, riding four wheelers or kayaking; Kayla was in her element outside. Fall was her favorite time of year.

Kayla had a mischievous side as well. Something she got honest from her mom, aunts and uncles. She was always up for a good practical joke. It wasn't hard to talk her into doing something ornery that would make someone laugh.

Kayla's love extended to furry creatures as well. She owned many cats over the years. Recently her family rescued a puppy. She wasn't afraid to foster nontraditional animals either. When some baby raccoons were abandoned, she stepped up and helped release them back to the wild.

Kayla's life here on Earth was too short but it was filled with love and laughter. Heaven gained a beautiful soul. Although she will be missed dearly by those who loved her, her memory will live on through the many lives that she touched.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph Nieders of the home; six children, Gracie, Erik, Evelyn, Zakiya, Jacob and Aubrey; her siblings, Kim (Charles) McCurdy of Mexico, Jimmy Wilkerson of Paris, Charlisa (Larry) Marxen of Shelbina, Bubba (Angela) Wilkerson of Shelbina, Kimberly Wilkerson of Shelbina, Keith Long of Curryville and Jeanette White of Paris; sister-in-law, Brittany Long of Troy; in-laws, Roger and Deborah Nieders of Payson, Illinois; brother-in-law, Richard (Melissa) Nieders of Payson, Illinois. She is also survived by her uncles, Mike (Becky) Long of Mexico, Charlie (Edna) Long of Perry; aunts, Cathy (Jack) Rouse of Mexico, Bonnie Griffin of Mexico, Patty (Mike) Wells of Smithton, Cheryl (Erika) Farinella of Columbia and Ginny (David) Ham of Mexico who was her second mom. Other survivors include nephews, Matthew McCurdy of Mexico, Huck and Tuff Long of Troy; nieces, Alania McCurdy of Mexico and Cheyenne Long of Troy; as well as multiple cousins and close family friends.

Kayla was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Samuel and Kitty Long; her mother, Carolyn Long; one aunt, Linda Wheeler; four uncles, Richard Long, Kenneth Long, Gary Long and Wayne Harrison; and one cousin, Timon Ham.

Memorial donations may be made to the family of Kayla Nieders. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.