Isabel Maisy Kunselman

Isabel Maisy Kunselman, 14, of Fort Collins, CO passed away peacefully at Children’s Hospital in Aurora, CO on Saturday, November 9 surrounded by her whole family.  Isabel was welcomed in Fort Collins, CO, by her parents Dirk and Shaudin, her brothers Solomon, Zander, and Graham, and her sister Raleigh on April 19, 2010, and immediately and rightfully claimed the role of treasured and spoiled youngest child.

Isabel got her trademark eyeglasses at a very young age and they helped define her unique and quirky personality.  She was seemingly born with obsessions for Littlest Pet Shop, My Little Pony, stuffed animals (especially Beanie Boos and Squishmallows), and cats. She loved the family cat, Jim, so thoroughly and so much that she finally talked her parents into getting a cat of her very own.  She named him Charlie and he became her constant companion—even on camping trips. 

Despite the Fort Collins address, Isabel attended all Loveland schools, starting with Coyote Ridge Elementary.  She thrived there and made some of her life-long friends as well.  She then attended Lucile Erwin Middle School where she discovered her love of school dances, Hamilton, Steven Universe, South Park, and singing.  She was a wonderful singer, and her blooming career peaked with a big solo that received a standing ovation at her last middle school choir concert.  She was also fond of drama and played the Queen of Hearts in the school’s production of Alice in Wonderland in December of 2023.  This fall she started at Loveland High School, where she continued her love of choir and performing arts.

Isabel enjoyed close relationships with her siblings despite large age differences and the fact that she only got to see three of them occasionally.  She was particularly close with her sister Raleigh, even though they are almost 13 years (and now hundreds of miles) apart.   Raleigh credits Isabel with being the perfect sister, helping Raleigh to become her true self.  They started a monthly sister sleepover when Raleigh was local and maintained it even after Raleigh moved away by doing it over the phone.

Isabel also had a special bond with Graham since they were closest in age and were both still living at home.  They were typical siblings, playing practical jokes, play-fighting to annoy their parents, and occasionally making a dinner run together. They went trick-or-treating together for Halloween this year, and Isabel talked Graham into dressing as a My Little Pony for the occasion.      

Outside of her parents and siblings, Isabel leaves behind both sets of grandparents (Ralph and Kathy Kunselman and Dehn and Jan Solomon), aunt Kristi Elliott, aunt KaRene Oliver (Jesse Oliver), aunt Kirah Solomon (Chris Solomon-Simmons), and seven cousins.  Her whole extended family loved and cherished her deeply and will miss her dearly.  The world is worse off without her talent, passion, and wry sense of humor.  She was truly one-of-a-kind.

In honor of Isabel’s memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Children’s Hospital Colorado (https://secure.childrenscoloradofoundation.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4267&mfc_pref=T&4267.donation=form1&s_subsrc=website_footer), the Larimer County Humane Society (https://register.nocohumane.org/give/632540/#!/donation/checkout), the Lucile Erwin Middle School choir (https://lems.tsd.org/activities/honor-choir), or the Loveland High Performing Arts department (https://www.lovelandhighperformingarts.org/).

We will celebrate Isabel’s life and spirit on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 1pm at Viegut Funeral Home at 1616 North Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO, with a reception following.