Funeral services for Kayla J. Hamer, 30, of Rapid City, SD will be at 2:00p.m. Monday, October 25th, 2021 at the Lyman High School Gymnasium in Presho, SD, with burial to follow at the Presho City Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Kennebec American Lutheran Church in Kennebec, SD.

Kayla Joan Hamer was born on October 22, 1990 in Mitchell, SD to Kenneth and Diane (Halvorson) Hamer. She spent her childhood on the family farm south of Kennebec, where as a child she was known to collect bugs, frogs, and salamanders. A model, all-around student, she attended the Lyman School District where she was active in student council, yearbook staff, cheerleading, band, and National Honors Society. She graduated with honors in 2009.

Upon her graduation, Kayla made her home in Rapid City with her high school sweetheart, Mark Cook. She attended Headlines Academy where she received her cosmetology degree. She worked at several hair salons, but had a special place in her heart for Cost Cutters. On October 24, 2015, she received her most prestigious and honorable job title – Mother. She gave birth to her only son— the light of her life, Jaxon Alexander Cook. Upon becoming a mother, she was grateful to be able to take some time to stay at home and focus all her efforts to her son.  She went back to work in 2018 and was quickly promoted to the manager of Once Upon a Child.

Kayla took pride in being a mother.  Her family was her world.  In her spare time, she enjoyed going on adventures, whether it was to Reptile Gardens, ax throwing or leaving the state to see new things with Mark and Jaxon; she was never afraid to try new things. She was also a DIY pro. If something broke, you could bet she would find the parts and watch a YouTube video to fix it.  Although generally known to be soft spoken, on occasions Kayla would say a few choice words when deemed necessary. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do if she put her mind to it (except maybe crossing a creek to chase after a shoplifter).

Kayla passed away on October 17, 2021 as a result of an automobile accident near Rapid City, SD. Gratefully sharing her life are her son Jaxon of Rapid City, SD; her parents Kenny and Diane Hamer of Kennebec, SD; her sister Lindsey (Beau) Johnson of Presho, SD; her brother Brady Hamer of Aberdeen, SD; her Grandfather Gary Halvorson of Kennebec, SD; nephews Layton and Hank Johnson of Presho, SD; numerous aunts & uncles, cousins, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her fiancé Mark Cook Jr., her maternal grandmother Joan Halvorson, and paternal grandparents Burdette and Edna Hamer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Jaxon will be preferred.

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