Alyssa J. Kalbach, 30, of High Ridge was a naturally caring person and dedicated caregiver, said her sister, Selia Kalbach, 21, of Dittmer.
“She was always somebody you could go to just to have someone hear you out about things,” Selia said. “She took care of so many people.”
Alyssa died Nov. 16 after being struck by a pickup while she was walking on Hwy. 30 east of Upper Byrnes Mill Road in Byrnes Mill. The driver of the Chevrolet Avalanche, a man from Dupo, Ill., left the scene but later the same day turned himself in to police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
When Alyssa was struck, she was on a walk to visit a family member, Selia said.
As of Nov. 21, the investigation of the crash was still under way, the highway patrol reported.
Alyssa was the daughter of Tressie and Robert M. Kalbach Sr. of Dittmer and worked as a licensed practical nurse at Hillcrest Care Center in De Soto, her sister said.
She worked at the long-term care center for “just shy of a combined eight years,” said Theresa Hale, who works for human resources at Hillcrest Care Center.
“She was loved by the residents and their families,” according to a written statement from the center. “They were always her number one priority.
“She never hesitated to jump in and help anywhere she was needed, in any direction, no matter what was going on.”
Alyssa encouraged and supported her coworkers, the statement went on to say.
“She was a very compassionate person and was beautiful inside and out,” the center said. “She was loved and will be deeply missed by the residents, families and the staff.”
“She always wanted to be a nurse, and she was just always good at caring for people,” Selia said. “She had that type of personality where she could see the best and the worst of things, but always came out on the better side.”
Selia said her sister had a contagious laugh and loved spending time with her family, especially her children, Lucas R. Ehrhard, 4, and McKenna Ehrhard, 2, as well as her fiance and best friend, Kyle Ehrhard of High Ridge.
She was known as a loving daughter, mother, sister and friend who enjoyed attending family gatherings and shopping, spoiling her children with the items she would find, Selia said.
Alyssa also had a close relationship with her younger siblings, including Selia, Tori Kalbach of High Ridge, Robert “Robbie” Kalbach Jr. of Dittmer and Hollie Kalbach of Dittmer.
Since Alyssa was the oldest of the Kalbach children, she was the role model of the family, Selia said.
“She taught us everything. She was always there for us. She was our number one supporter, and she never made us feel unloved,” Selia said. “We were always reminded that she loved us more than anything.”
Alyssa’s brother, Robbie, organized a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs and help support Alyssa’s two young children. As of Nov. 21, the campaign has raised $10,610.
Selia said she appreciated the outpouring of support the family has received from the community following Alyssa’s death.
“Our Alyssa meant so much to us, and everyone reaching out, taking the time to tell us they are sorry, or tell us how much they’re going to miss her as well, we’re just very grateful to have those people reaching out to us,” Selia said.
She emphasized the importance of paying attention while driving to prevent such tragedies.
“Drivers just need to pay more attention,” Selia said. “I know that people can be in a hurry, but we just need to slow down, because nothing is worth losing somebody’s life over.
“If an accident does occur, stop and get help immediately. You never know if that help could change the outcome.”
To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, visit gofundme.com and search for her last name.