It is with the deepest of sorrow that we announce the passing of Danielle Elizabeth Woods, 23, on March 12, 2025, in Imperial, Missouri. She was born on August 14, 2001 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Danielle was a light in the lives of those who knew her. Her kindness and warmth radiated effortlessly, leaving a mark on family and friends alike. She carried a gentle spirit that brought comfort and joy. Danielle was loved fiercely by those who knew her and her departure leaves an unfillable void. She will remain the brightest light in our lives as she now lives in our hearts.
She is survived by her parents Sarah (nee Bickel) Ives and Joseph Almany; her grandparents, Connie and Richard Rhodes; her siblings, Hayden and Joscelyn; her Godmother, Jennifer; her uncles, Richard and Ryan; her aunts Jennifer, Karen and Jodi; and her cousins Alexys, Michael, Drew, Julia, Richard, Austin and James.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers Richard Bickel and Henry (Bud) VanHorn.
A visitation will be held on March 19, 2025, from 3:00pm-6:00pm at Kutis Funeral Home, located at 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63123. Service to follow at 6:00pm.
Though Danielle’s time on this earth was far too brief, the love she shared will continue to shine in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
💜I will always be your Mimi💜
My heart hurts so bad right now. Danielle was an amazing beautiful young lady. Everyone will miss her so much.
Danielle is so intensely loved. She will be missed beyond words
You were such a bright light in this world, you will be missed dearly.
My sweet Girl, I love you so much. My whole family loves you? Life will not be the same with out you here. The smile that goes across my face when I think about your giggle and your sense of humor,and how wonderful you are! Are the most nicest sweetest person I’ve ever met in my life. The way you would hug me so tight and not let go. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me so much joy in the time I knew you .One thing that I Will always cherish is how you accepted me for me and you love me for me ,I can’t thank you enough. If I can only strive to be more like you in my every day, sweet , kind , understanding and loving .I love you Danielle and you will be forever missed by my family and I. I love you and I’m always thinking of you. I pray for you and your family until we meet again. Sweet girl fly high. Rest easy my love
I was Danielle’s instructor for Dental Assisting school on Saturday’s. She was a great student, kind, sweet, caring and beautiful, I will miss her and her beautiful smile, RIP.
Stephanie McKague
To say you will be missed is an understatement, this world will not be the same without someone as caring and kind as you. I’m forever thankful that I was blessed enough to have known you. I miss you sweet girl, we will meet again at the gates of heaven. Rest easy beautiful❤️🩹❤️🩹
Oh “Danny Woods” – your nickname we came up with 8 years ago in Van Dykes class. I am so saddened to hear the news. You have always been such a bright light in my life. From tennis matches to our endless shopping/dinner dates. It didn’t matter what we were doing, it was always a good time.
You were always so smart in school. Let me borrow your homework a few too many times. I remeber you helped me build that silly balloon popper for Thayers class. You always made it look so easy.
I will forever cherish the memories we made together. I will miss you so much. Rest in Peace 😢❤️
My deepest condolences to the family. May she rest in peace and may her memory bring you comfort in the days ahead
Saying you’ll be missed is very big understatement….
I only had an opportunity to work with her in person a couple times, however you could hear her smile on the phone anytime you called the office she was at. It doesn’t matter if you met her once or hundreds of times, you never forgot how kind of a person she was. Rest easy Danielle 😔
I grew up with Danielle’s mom Sarah so this is absolutely devastating. Absolutely the sweetest most gorgeous young lady. My heart breaks for this beautiful family. You all will always be in my prayers.
Danielle, you were such a sweet, beautiful soul. I enjoyed working with you and catching up on similar interests. You are missed by many. Rest easy sweet girl.
My heart goes out to Sarah and the rest of Danielle’s family. Danielle was such a sweet girl and I’m grateful I had the chance to meet her. ❤️
Many prayers for the family. May God give you the strength to make it thru this. May God bless All of you at this time.
Danielle was a joy to work with, she had a smile that could light up a room. She will be dearly missed.
My heart is broken for Danielle’s family and friends. She was a beautiful soul, both inside and outside. Her smile could light up a room. She will be greatly missed by so many people. Love to you all. ❤️🙏🏻
Danielle, you will be oh so dearly missed. You were a beautiful soul and a positive light in every room you walked into. I’ll always remember our friend group in middle school hanging out, planning matching outfits for the next day & all the birthday slumber parties. Rest in peace sweet girl. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Danielle, where do I begin? You were my best friend in fifth grade and throughout middle school. It’s hard to imagine that you’re gone. I have many great memories with you that I’ve never forgotten, such as when we were sent to the office for a chicken nugget in fifth grade. You were laughing at me in the office as I was freaking out, and we didn’t even get in trouble. Or when we made best friend shirts at your house with puff paint. I’m devastated to hear that you’re gone. You were at my house all the time, and it was never a dull moment. Even though we weren’t as close as we got older, you were still looking out for me, and I for you. I’m so thankful I got to know you and for the memories we had together. Rest easy, Danielle; you will be missed, and I pray that God will comfort your family during this time.
I was supposed to say this at the funeral but I couldn’t get myself to get the words out, so i just wanted to post it on here to share some of the many memories I had with danielle💜
I never imagined I’d be standing here today, trying to put into words what Danielle meant to me. She was more than just a friend—she was family, a constant presence, and a piece of my heart that will always be missing.
Danielle had this way of making you feel special, like you mattered. She showed her love in the little things—chocolate-covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day, a goodie bag when I was sick, and even handwritten letters labeled “Open When You’re Sad” or “Open When You’re Happy.” I still have them to this day, and they remind me of the kind of friend she was—thoughtful, caring, and always there when you needed her.
We had so many ridiculous, wonderful moments together. Like the time we got it in our heads that we were going to try out for the tennis team. We threw on somebodies bright pink tennis one piece dress we found and had a little photo shoot, then we bought the cheapest rackets we could find at Walmart. We spent hours at my house, hitting a ball against the garage, and somehow, against all odds, we both made the team.
Or in choir, when Danielle would tease my hair and sneak little braids in the back without telling me, just so I’d walk around school unknowingly flaunting her handiwork.
Or that unforgettable track bus ride—I had asked danielle for a piece of gum and reached back because she was a seat behind me and she decided to spit a loogie into my hand, which, of course, made me puke the 4 bags of Hot Cheetos all over my hoodie. And because chaos follows chaos, Mallory saw it happen and started throwing up all over herself and the bus too. If you were there, you know it was absolutely disgusting, and yet, somehow, it was also just so Danielle.
She was also the mastermind behind my belly button piercing. Sorry, Mom—turns out, your “no” wasn’t the final answer when Danielle was involved.
And at every sleepover, there was an unspoken rule—Danielle got the bed. No matter whose house we were at, no matter how small the bed was, she was claiming it. Isabel had a twin mattress, and you better believe Danielle was on it while Isabel tried to squeeze in but ultimately took the floor along with the rest of us.
For a good portion of us growing up, Danielle had her mind set on becoming an interior designer. And one day, in the spirit of her design dreams, and my horrible ideas we decided my bed would look way better in my closet. So, naturally, we took every piece of clothing out, pulled the doors right off the track, and completely rearranged my room—without thinking about what we were supposed to do with a giant pile of clothes and two massive closet doors. We stood there, looking at the mess we’d made, and just started laughing. I kept it like that for months and we had joked years later about how we missed that setup. Danielle was really good at making everything feel like an adventure, even if we had no idea what we were doing.
Beyond the jokes, Danielle was the friend everyone went to for advice. She never judged—she just told you what she thought, honestly and without hesitation. I always looked up to her because she had this confidence, this effortless style. I’d ask her for outfit advice all the time because, let’s be real, if you knew me in high school, you knew I lived in those 3/4 cropped leggings and Crocs. But Danielle—she just had it.
She was one of a kind. And while I can’t begin to imagine life without her, I know that the love, laughter, and memories she gave me will stay with me forever.
Danielle, I love you. I miss you. And I’ll keep you with me always.