Cayden Riedel

Sadie Elise Riedel was born December 7, 2002, to Renee Riedel and Sean Flippin. She died February 26, 2025, in Lenexa, Kansas. When she was in high school, she decided she wanted to be called Cayden, and so we did.

From the time she burst into this world, she was full of life and questions and exuberance. She grew up in the midst of an extended family who all loved spending time with this curious, joyous girl. Cayden was strong-willed, and always pushed the limits to see what her mom would put up with. She had very strong opinions and wasn’t afraid to share them.

At the age of two she knew all the words to “Smoke On The Water” and would sing at the top of her lungs. She could remember the advertising slogan for everything, amusing her mom in the grocery store as she spouted things off as they traveled through the store.

Cayden was always a loving child and grew up to be a person who loved her people fiercely. It made her happy to give little gifts to the people in her life. She didn't hesitate to buy or craft things if they reminded her of someone. She was always ready to experiment with new craft ideas. Cayden had a big heart and wore it on her sleeve. Anytime she saw someone by the side of the road who needed help, she would convince her mom to go buy food to take to them. She was passionate about many things and was very empathetic.

As she got older, she developed an interest in nails, makeup and hair. You never knew what new hair style she might be sporting. Her uncle Rusty eventually let her test hair colors on him, starting with electric lizard green. She liked to experiment with dramatic and special effects makeup.

Recently she had taken up canning, making lots of yummy jellies and jams that she happily shared with family and friends. She loved to try new things, from experiences to food. She loved planning parties and outings. She was the first to volunteer to help plan an event. Her entire life she was a collector of creatures. No animal was too big or too small, too scaly or too fluffy to be added to her menagerie. Most recently she adopted her beloved dog, Harlow.

Cayden was attending Johnson County Community College and was nearly finished with her Associates degree as she waited for acceptance into a cosmetology program. While working towards her education, she was a salon coordinator at Phenix Salon Suites. Her interest in “shiny things” led her to pursue a certificate in gemology from the Gemology Institute of America.

Cayden was preceded in death by her father Sean Flippin, her Nana Dana Riedel, and her grandfather Gary Flippin.

She is survived by her mother Renee Riedel; her Popi Bob Riedel; her Mima LaDonna Flippin; her uncles Ryan Riedel (& wife Courtney Masterson) and Rusty Riedel; her aunt Rachael Riedel; her stepmother Linda Jeffers; and, of course, her dog Harlow.

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 14th from 5-7pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. The family requests you wear Cayden’s favorite colors of viridian green, forest green, or burgundy. Family and close friends are invited for food and drinks with Renee at her aunt and uncle‘s house from 7-10pm at 9203 England Street, Overland Park, Kansas. A Celebration of Life and Butterfly Release will be scheduled when the weather is warmer.

Please share memories of Cayden at this link. https://forms.gle/PQPGLqvjrGAgwS5UA