"We got to know Kasia through Madonna and Stroke Camp. What a ray of sunshine!! She was so willing to be a participant in whatever crazy activity was going on. She will be immensely missed by friends, family, coworkers, Greta and especially her nieces and nephews. She loved life and everything about it. Hugs and prayers to all of you. Steve and Denise Swenson"
In loving memory of
Kasia Leigh Richardson
March 14, 1985 - June 20, 2023
Kasia Leigh Richardson died unexpectedly on June 20, 2023, at age 38 as a result of an automobile accident in Omaha, Nebraska. Kasia, the daughter of LuAnn (Heisterkamp) Haase and Brian Richardson, was born on March 14, 1985, in Blair, Nebraska. She graduated from West Monona High School in Onawa, Iowa in 2003. Kasia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2007. She went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Wichita State University in 2009.
Upon completion of her master's degree, Kasia was a dedicated Speech Language Pathologist who passionately served patients in the Omaha metropolitan area at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Methodist Hospital, and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha where she served as the stroke program leader. During the past four years, Kasia worked as a clinical admissions liaison at Quality Living Incorporated (QLI) where she was instrumental in serving patients with brain and spinal cord injuries from across the nation. She had recently accepted a private care position in Atlanta, Georgia, and was looking forward to the next chapter of her life.
Kasia was a devoted auntie who adored her nieces and nephews. She eagerly attended ball games, swim meets, and dance recitals, and she individually engaged with each of her nieces and nephews in special activities such as pedicures, golfing, and arcade games. Kasia loved her rescue dog Greta, craft beer, donuts, Broadway musicals, snapchatting with her nieces and nephews, Iowa Hawkeyes sports, and the Savannah Bananas baseball team. She disliked snakes and anything that was cherry flavored.
Kasia's loved ones have ensured her legacy will live on through organ and tissue donation. She was also a regular blood donor.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Dr. LuAnn and William Haase of Salix, IA; her father, Brian Richardson of Papillion, NE; her brother and sister-in-law, Kyle Richardson and Dr. Maggie Sheehy and children Van, Maude, and Ramona of Omaha, NE; her sister and brother-in-law, Kara and Adam Walling and children Drake, Felix, and Quinn of Elkhorn, NE; her grandmother, Patricia Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA; aunts and uncles, Celia and Brad Stevenson (Blencoe, IA), Tony and Jennifer Heisterkamp (Akron, SD), Tim and Chris Heisterkamp (Jefferson, IA), Todd and Natalia Heisterkamp (Omaha, NE), Robann and John Clark (Pisgah, IA), and Janelle Richardson and Shannan Poole (Turin, IA); special cousins, Theresa Dehn and Janie Morris; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Glenn Heisterkamp and Kenneth and Shirley Richardson; and uncles, Thomas Heisterkamp, Bradley Richardson, and Jay Richardson.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Tributes
"LuAnn and family I was so sorry to hear the loss of Kasia. My prayers are with you and your family in this most difficult time. Hugs to you all and hold on to all the wonderful memories of Kasia. My heart is saddened for you all."
"So sorry for your loss. May time help to ease the pain and leave only the best memories. Selina Brak"
"?Now I must remember you for longer than I have known you.? What I will remember is that you were always kind, always gentle, and always unapologetically you. Every room you entered was instantly brighter, and every place you?ve been will never be as bright again. As you were loved, so will you be missed. Aunque no te tenga conjunto conmigo, todos los días quiero que sepas una cosa - que siempre, pero siempre, te tengo en mi mente. "
"My heart is broken for you, her family. Words fall short for me today ~ please just know that my love and prayers go out to all of you. May you find peace and healing one day. Eva (Stanislav) DeBella"