Kori Day

Kori Carlene Day passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, of an unknown blood disorder associated with kidney disease. She was taken from us way too soon and very unexpectedly. Kori was born to John Day and Tara (Frederick) Day on May 24, 1993, in Lewiston.

Kori was not yet married, but talked about the wedding of her dreams with her boyfriend of two years, Chase Nuxoll. He was the love of her life and I, as her mother, am so glad she got to experience such a love. Kori split her time living in Lewiston and just helping Chase move into a new home in Cottonwood that they were decorating and painting.

Kori had a few jobs in her short 22 years. Her first job was at the Clarkston Taco Time until she got her certified nurse's assistant certificate and went to work at Pleasant Valley Assisted Living. After that, she worked at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on the fourth floor and most recently worked at the cancer center in Lewiston. She was very caring in her position and made lots of wonderful and forever friends. While she worked at the cancer center, I (her mom) worked there as well and I recall on many occasions she would walk by my desk and throw a wadded-up paper ball at me when I least expected it. She would also fill her hands with antibacterial gel and rub it all over my pen and then I, not aware of this, would grab my pen and then be "slimed!" She was full of these antics always.

While in the hospital, Chase and Kori were baptized Catholic. This is something they discussed in the past and looked forward to going to church together.

At elementary age, Kori attended Orchards Elementary School, Sacajawea Junior High and then went on to Lewiston High School. She graduated in 2011. Kori attended North Idaho College for one semester, until the death of her father and school became too much for her to handle at that time. Kori was an excellent student and cared very much about her grades. She called herself a "nerd" and did not care since she wanted straight As. She played many sports early on. Although she was not the fastest or most outstanding athlete, she gave it her all and had fun playing. She played T-ball, soccer, softball and volleyball.

She had a soft spot for cats and had many in her lifetime. She would have had 20 cats had mom and dad let her.

Kori was a girl who touched everyone she met. Whether it was meeting them for the first time or knowing them forever, there wasn't a person who disliked her. She was always kind to all and always polite.

In 2004, at the age of 10, Kori was diagnosed with a kidney disease called mono proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). She was put on many different medications including steroids, which had many side effects on such a young girl. When Kori turned 18, she decided to stop most medications and traded feeling better for disease progression.

Kori had many hobbies growing up. She loved to sit and draw pictures or just doodle. She liked to read and to also write poems. Music was one of Kori's favorite things. She listened to all types of music and sang along with the songs (although not necessarily in tune). She was particularly good at rearranging the lyrics of a song to make it her own funny version. Her favorite group was Matchbox Twenty and she liked all kinds of country music. Chase taught her how to country swing and they danced like pros. She was so little that he could fling her around and flip her here and there, only dropping her a few times. A few summers ago, she and her mom took up paddle boarding in McCall and then here in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley last summer. It was great exercise and lots of fun. Kori had quite the collection of shoes, cowboy boots and wedge heels because they made her taller, of course. She loved to clothes shop. She had so many that she did not have to do laundry very often and she liked that.

Regardless of being slowed down by her illness, Kori lived life to the fullest. She would only rest if she absolutely had to, and then she was up and going again as soon as she could. When Chase was home for three weeks at a time from Alaska, they kept busy riding the Razor, hanging with friends, Taco Tuesday at Keuterville and fishing, of course. She was the best little fisher girl and usually caught the most and the biggest. Her mom could not wait for Chase to go back to Alaska so she could see her girl (no offense to Chase, of course). Mom missed her when she was gone but knew she was happy and cared for by him. When she was with mom, they enjoyed long walks and talks together, cooking dinners and playing Jeopardy. Jeopardy wasn't so much fun when she was there 'cause she beat mom and Kurt so badly.

As a young girl, Kori spent lots of time with dad, mom and brother Dallas at dad's logging camp, which was usually in the Floodwoods. Days were filled with walks in the woods, four-wheeling, motorcycles, playing in the dirt and going to dad's job. She learned to drive the "crummy" at age 9 and could not wait to get her license. One of her favorite things to do was to walk in creeks, and it remained one of her and mom's favorite activities to this very day. Some of her ashes, along with her father's, will be spread in the Floodwoods as this was a favorite place.

When Kori was born, she was already a Dallas Cowboys fan, per her father, of course. Even when she was little, she wore the clothing and at one time had a cheerleader outfit. Football Sunday was big at our house. She would sit in the recliner with dad and wear her Cowboys helmet and eat whatever snack he was eating and cheer on their team. In the last few years, her favorite thing to do was to give mom's boyfriend Kurt the hardest time over being a Seahawks fan. They would go round and round over who was the best team. Even though she gave him trouble, this last winter, her and Gramma Carla spent countless hours putting together a Seahawks Stadium puzzle for Kurt for Christmas.

Kori had a very special bond with her brother Dallas. They fought like crazy as kids, but as they got older they were the best of friends. They were goofy together and they loved to recite quotes from television shows, movies and music, to the point it drove mom crazy. When the two of them lost their father almost three years ago, their relationship grew even stronger. Dallas protected his sister and looked after her. Their bond will never be broken.

Another special bond was the one she shared with her mother. They were unusually close and spoke and acted just alike. They could finish each other's sentences and read each other's minds. They were together all the time and tried to keep one another upbeat and positive about life and how hard it can be. They were each other's rock.

Kori was preceded in death by her father, John Day; Grandpa Denny Eggers, Grandpa Ralph Frederick, Grandpa Gary Eggers; and very special great-great-grandma, Lura Butler; and many more great-grandparents.

Surviving Kori are mother Tara Day (Kurt Matson) of Lewiston; brother Dallas Day; aunts Valerie Johnson, Deann (Jay Beyer) Eggers, Kimberly Fredrick, Kristy Day and Diana Mayo; uncles Lance Frederick and Ray Day Jr,; cousins Taylor and Chelsea Day, Jagger Johnson, Grace Beyer and Buster Burnette; grandpa Ray Day Sr.; grandmothers Carla Eggers, Marrina Frederick and Edith Day; and great-grandmothers Karen Eggers and Margaret Bogar; along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins and wonderful friends of Kori.

Kori had a gorgeous smile and sunny personality that will be greatly missed. Please keep her in your hearts and her family as well. Life will never be the same. Spread your wings and fly, my sweet angel, and rest in peace.

In honor of Kori, the family urges you all to go to the nearest blood bank and donate. Thank you.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at CrossPoint Alliance Church, 1330 Powers Ave., in Lewiston. A covered-dish dinner will follow at the church. Donations may be made to the Kori Kidney Fund at Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union to help with medical expenses and funeral costs.