Kailey Harrison-Gates

Kailey Harrison-Gates, 24, of Harvard IL passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on February 4, 2025, after a brief courageous fight with cancer.

She was born on July 7, 2000, to Edward and Karen Harrison of Harvard.

She married Carson Gates on September 21, 2024, at her parent’s home.

Kailey graduated from Harvard High School in 2018. During her high school years, she enjoyed doing stats for the Harvard football team and hanging out with classmates after games. After high school, Kailey received her associates degree from Rockford Career College working towards her veterinary tech degree. She loved working with all types of animals during her career.

Spending time with her family and friends resulted in many treasured memories. She enjoyed going to car shows and truck shows with her grandparents and her brother. She also enjoyed going with her aunt drag racing at local tracks. She enjoyed watching other motor sports racing too. She had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and family at bonfires and target shooting on the family farm. She also spent time going to horse shows with her cousin and aunt and hanging out with her uncle and riding bikes. She enjoyed fishing on Lake Geneva with her family. In her younger years she also was on the girls’ softball team for Harvard. Kailey also loved family get togethers at the holidays playing LCR to bet her grandma Nelson or just eating and hanging out together. She also enjoyed having friends over for her birthdays swimming or playing darts or just chill playing board games or watching movies. She also treasured the times when just her, brother Eddie and Cousin Deborah would go for lunch and movie days!

She was a member of 4-H winning many ribbons and a championship showing pigs at the McHenry County Fair. She also loved going on trips with family or even on short ice cream adventures.

She was currently employed at Huntley Animal Hospital. She had previously worked at Harvard Vet Clinic. She loved getting to know all her co-workers at each clinic.

Kailey’s smile and kindness was so contagious it was hard not to become her friend. She enjoyed her short life to the fullest, knowing the love that surrounded her every day from her family and friends.

Kailey is survived by her parents, brother Eddie of Harvard, maternal Grandmother Caroline Nelson of Woodstock, aunts Donna (Ray) Raupp of Harvard and Carol (Brian Tarleton) Nelson of Woodstock, uncle Ray (Megan) Nelson Jr of Woodstock, and her cousin Deborah Quist of Woodstock. Husband Carson

She was proceeded in death by her loving maternal Grandfather Raymond Nelson of Woodstock and her paternal grandparents John (Jack) and Karen Harrison of Harvard.

As per Kailey’s wishes there will be no services. A celebration on life will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating under Kailey’s name to the ASPCA animal foundation or American cancer research foundation.

Memories can be shared in the online guest book for the family at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.