Don’t give up, love with your entire heart
Dakota, known as Kota, was one of the most caring people you could ever meet. He had the biggest heart and loved his family more than anything. His smile lit up an entire room, and when he laughed, everyone around him laughed too. Being around him just made people feel good.
Dakota was the ultimate big brother and son anyone could ask for. Family meant everything to him. Some of his favorite times were during holidays with his parents, Ray and Mistie, his godmother, Carisa, his sisters Destiny, Marissa, Madison, Ashlynn, Kailey, and Macie, and his brothers, Colt, Liam, and Dalton. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and celebrating all his siblings’ birthdays were particularly joyful for Dakota.
Kota also dearly loved his nieces and nephews, Sophia, Carsten, and Jamesyn, and treasured every chance he had to play with them. Whether it was throwing a ball, joking around, or just spending time together, those moments were special.
Dakota also shared a meaningful relationship with Emily Hilland had a strong circle of extended family and friends who loved him deeply.
Kota loved being outdoors and found peace in nature. Fishing was one of his favorite things to do, and he was always proud of catching the biggest fish. He enjoyed the simple things in life, mostly being surrounded by the people he loved. “The many memories he left behind are truly indescribable. He was the best” his mother, Carisa, stated.
Dakota was very smart and could do just about anything he set his mind to. For several years, he worked building playgrounds and steel pavilions, creating places where children could laugh and play. He was a hard worker, and people often described him as a jack of all trades. Whatever he did, he gave it his full effort.
In the last few years of his life, Kota wanted more than anything to change his path. He wanted to get sober and live a better life. He often talked about trying to make his parents and siblings proud. Kota cared deeply about the people in his life and wanted to see the people he loved, including others in his family with substance use disorders, build better lives.
Substance use disorder changed parts of Kota. It made him feel numb to life. Watching him go through active addiction was one of the hardest things his family experienced. “It broke our hearts to watch him struggle,” Carisa said. But through it all, the real Dakota—the loving, funny, big-hearted young man—remained.
His father, Ray, still treasures memories of the end of Kota’s life. The two spent Kota’s last week together, and for Ray, those five days mean everything and will be remembered and cherished forever.
Losing Dakota has devastated his family. They miss everything about him—his smile, his laughter, and the way he loved people so freely. But if sharing his story helps even one person, they find solace knowing that Kota would have wanted that. He would tell them never to give up. They maintain that we should all “not be so quick to judge someone struggling with addiction.”
Dakota’s godmother, Carisa Daniel, provided the information for this narrative.
April 5, 2003–February 8, 2026–Age 22
Portrait Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
