Ashleigh Lynn Merical

Ashleigh Lynn Merical was born in Denver, CO on October 24, 1997 and suddenly passed on March 15th 2023 in Des Moines, IA. Ashleigh was 25 years, 4 months and 23 days old.

Ashleigh can be best described as the light in everyone's life who had the opportunity to meet her. She was always a free spirit going wherever the wind took her. She went to the mountains of Colorado, the deserts of Arizona, the sands of California, the beaches of Mexico, the waters of Florida and the musical streets of Nashville. Ashleigh had no fear of putting her feet anywhere. Her dream was to travel the world with those whom she loved. Ashleigh also loved to go camping and being outdoors. Her latest adventure was ice fishing with her love, David. She was always willing to try or go anywhere at least once.

Ashleigh had numerous friends, that we will leave unnamed, who helped her get into trouble throughout the years. Those year's and friendships helped mold her into the beautiful soul that she is.

When David and Ashleigh met, their love blossomed into the dreams they were starting to live and the friendship that kept them through the hard times. Ashleigh is a blessing but also a pain in the ass in disguise. Ashleigh was always a shoulder to cry on, gave the best hugs and always knew what to say. She was everyone's cheerleader. She always saw the best in people, even when they didn't see it in themselves.

Ashleigh was the glue who kept her family together, even when the rest of us weren't willing to try. From the love of her brothers, Sammy and Jackson. To the love of her sisters, Kassidy and Kaitlyn. To the untouched love of her nephews, Tommy and Wesley. Her love sheltered her family, friends and coworkers.

Ashleigh, David and their over overenthusiastic, very spoiled dog Scout made their family complete.

The lessons she learned from her mom Mona, and her dad Jack, molded her into the woman she is.

Everyone who mourns the loss of Ashleigh, the friends that she had, the people that she met, even for a brief moment, the stories that she shared, the secrets that she kept, showed the love that she had for each and every one of us.

Ashleigh would want us to celebrate her life and her soul, as she saw more of the world than most people ever do. She lived her life and as a free spirit. We ask that everyone find a piece of Ashleigh that motivated them, take that piece of her and continue her legacy.

Thank you to everyone that has donated, reached out and given support to the family. We thank you for the deepest part of hearts for your love and kindness during this difficult time.

Ashleigh is survived by her father, Jack Merical; mother, Mona Mangiagli; significant other, David Little; sisters, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Ryan) Feenstra and Kassidy Merical; brothers, Jackson Merical and Sammy Lund; her dog, Scout; nephews, Wesley Feenstra and Thomas Sudbrock; maternal grandmother, Georgia (Cory) Hainline; paternal grandparents, Jack and Glenna Marical; and many extended family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, McCalley Chapel in Adel. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 24, 2023 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Oakdale Cemetery. A memorial account has been set up for the family at Raccoon Valley Bank. Please make any checks out to the Ashleigh Merical Memorial. If you would like to send flowers, the family asks to send her favorites of wild flowers and succulents.