A Home for Keila’s Kids — Keeping Family Together

  • D
  • J
27 donors
0% complete

$2,495 raised of 

A Home for Keila’s Kids — Keeping Family Together

Donation protected
❤️ In Loving Memory of My Sister, Shakeila “Keila” Monger Hi, my name is Ty, and I’m raising funds to help my mom care for my sister Shakeila’s four children after her passing on September 29th.

About My Sister My sister
 Shakeila, or “Keila” as most people called her, was electric. She was fun, she was a vibe, and she was real. There was nothing fake about her — she was loyal, supportive, and full of love. When she walked into a room, you felt her energy. When she spoke, you knew she meant what she said. She was well-known all over Clinton, Iowa, for her cooking, baking, and her big heart. Whether she was making someone laugh or cooking up something sweet in the kitchen, she had a way of making people feel better just by being around her.  

Her Journey & Strength
 A few years ago, Shakeila lost her father, Lawrence Monger, who was a big anchor in her life. His passing hit her hard and pushed her into a deep depression that she battled quietly until her last days. But through all of it, her kids were her motivation. They kept her going, gave her purpose, and reminded her to keep pushing forward no matter what. She went back to school, earned her HiSET, and enrolled in the Culinary Program at Clinton Community College. I still remember her being mad that she had to wait to take her test because she was ready and confident she’d pass. That was her — determined, focused, and sure of herself. She had big dreams — she wanted to start her own food truck and launch a podcast with me. We were going to do prank wars and cooking showdowns, just being our goofy selves and bringing laughter to people. That was Keila — creative, funny, and full of life. 

‍‍ The Heart of a Mother
 When it came to her kids, she loved the hell out of them. My nieces and nephew were her world — wild, loud, and full of energy. Every morning, I’d call her around school time — mostly because that was the one time I knew I could actually reach her. Without fail, she’d be in the middle of fussing at my niece Jezel for missing the bus again. You could hear her half mad, half laughing, trying to sound serious while still waking up. And no matter how many times she said, “This is the last time I’m driving you,” she’d still stop at Casey’s on the way to let Jezel grab her iced coffee. She’d talk her mess, Jezel would roll her eyes, and they’d laugh the whole ride there. I used to tease her about it, but honestly, I think that was their little morning ritual — their mom-and-daughter bonding time disguised as an argument about being late. That’s the kind of mom she was — loving, real, and full of patience even when she was pretending to be mad.  

️ Life After Her Passing Since her passing, life has been tough for our family. The disbelief still hits us every day. Some days it feels like the world just kept moving and we’re still standing in the moment we lost her, waiting for her to come back through the door. Her kids — Jezel (14), Kaylee (9), Ocean (soon to be 4), and her youngest — all celebrated birthdays after she passed. Each one was bittersweet, a reminder of how much she loved them and how much she’s missed. Now, we’re heading into our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her. The emptiness is heavy, but we’re doing our best to hold onto her memory and the love she left behind. My mom, Mary (but most people know her as Ann), has stepped up in a major way. She’s now caring for all four kids while also taking care of our 73-year-old grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s a full house filled with love, responsibility, and a lot of emotion — but my mom does it all with faith and strength.  

  What We’re Asking For
 We’re raising funds to help my mom secure a safe, stable 4-bedroom home near a school, where the kids can grow, heal, and rebuild their lives. Every donation — no matter how small — helps cover:
 • A permanent, stable home
 • Daily essentials for the kids
 • Support for our grandmother’s care • A sense of security and peace for our family 
 ❤️ Keeping Her Memory Alive
 Even if you didn’t know Shakeila personally, I hope her story touches your heart. She was real, she was love, and she was light. She faced her battles with strength, kept it real with everyone she met, and loved fiercely. Her laughter, her dreams, and her heart live on through her kids. Every share, every prayer, and every donation helps keep her legacy alive — not just in memory, but in action. From our family to yours, thank you for walking with us through this loss and helping us keep her love alive.

 “She never gave up — she just loved harder.”

Organizer

Ty McGee
Organizer
Huron, SD

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee