Alissa Demuth’s family recalls a life defined by love and care
ALISSA MAE DEMUTH was born Sept. 30, 1999, and though she arrived nearly two months early and spent her first weeks in the hospital, she came home in time to celebrate her first Christmas with her parents and older sister. She lived in the Lincoln area and, despite severe cerebral palsy that required constant physical care, was cherished by family and friends who said her disability did not define her.
Those who knew Alissa remember a personality that was “sweet, sassy, sometimes a little spoiled,” and they say her family made sure she felt like a princess throughout her life. At age nine, Alissa and her family traveled to Walt Disney World on a special trip in which everything required for her care was provided and her family said she was treated like royalty. The family decided that the title of princess would not end with the trip.
“She was treated like a princess,”
Family members credited that approach with shaping the way they cared for Alissa in the years that followed.
Family ties, caregiving and loss
Alissa was the daughter of Albert “Abe” and Mildred “Millie” Demuth. Her father, Abe, died of cancer when she was young. Millie later married Thomas “Tom” Kadavy in 2013, and Tom became not only a stepfather but Alissa’s primary caregiver, advocate and constant companion. When Millie died unexpectedly in 2020, Tom continued in that role, maintaining the family life and security that Alissa had known.
Tom remarried in 2024 to Sharon, and that marriage expanded Alissa’s circle of siblings, spouses and grandchildren. The extended family quickly embraced Alissa, and younger family members in particular became close to her.
Interests and daily life
Alissa enjoyed music and movies. Favorites named by family included The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Music Man and children’s programming such as Barney. She took part in family holidays, birthdays and other celebrations, relishing inclusion and the attention her family bestowed on her.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | Sept. 30, 1999 |
| Medical condition | Severe cerebral palsy |
| Notable family caregiver | Thomas “Tom” Kadavy |
Survivors and family
Alissa is survived by a close-knit family that has been central to her care and social life in Lincoln. Those listed by the family include:
- Sister: Amanda Demuth
- Niece: Olivia Beswick
- Stepfather: Thomas “Tom” Kadavy and his wife, Sharon
- Stepsiblings: Allison Kadavy, Jess Kadavy, and Matt Kadavy and his wife, Jo
- Nephew: Everett
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert “Abe” and Mildred “Millie” Demuth, as well as her maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Robert Miller, and her paternal grandparents, Elmer J. and Edna Demuth.
The family’s obituary notes the many ways Alissa was included in day-to-day life and celebrations despite the physical challenges she faced. Local neighbors, caregivers and friends in Lincoln who knew the family are likely to remember her quiet presence at gatherings and the obvious affection her relatives felt for her.
Funeral home arrangements and memorial information were handled by Butherus-Maser & Love Funeral Home in Lincoln. The family’s obituary provides the names of survivors and the outline of Alissa’s life; those seeking further details such as memorial dates should contact the funeral home directly for confirmation.
As the community in Lincoln looks back on Alissa’s life, family members have emphasized that she will be remembered not for her limitations but for the central place she held in the hearts of relatives who cared for her every day.
