Sweet and spirited Dakotah “KoKo” Nichole Traven was born in Ashtabula on September 29, 2003 to Tina Yelenic. She quickly brightened the lives of her entire family with her beautiful blue eyes and unforgettable smile. Dakotah liked to leave “I love you” notes around the house for her mom. When she wasn’t surprising her mom with heartfelt notes, she spent time with her sister and best friend, Zoey. Dakotah was a devoted and loving sister. She was also a fierce competitor. Dakotah ran her heart out on the track team, made the varsity cheerleading squad her freshman and sophomore year, and helped her Xtreme Cheer Team win the National Championship in Chicago last year. Dakotah loved and was loved by many, but nobody treasured her more than her mother, who loved her to the moon and back.

Dakotah passed away unexpectedly on July 4th, 2018. She is survived by her mother, Tina (Eric Gallion) Yelenic; stepdad, Adam Yankie; sisters, Zoey and Ashley; brother, Eric; maternal grandmother, Debra (John) Simcic;maternal grandfather, Richard (LuAnne) Wilkinson;maternal great-grandmother, Judy (Wally) Whalen;paternal grandparents, Vince and MaryLou Traven; step grandparents, Dave and Linda Yankie; paternal great-grandparents, Bert and Rose Wilkinson, Mark and Tristan Bill Gray; aunts, Rachel (Vince)Spiert, Gina (Ron) Atwell, Lisa (Glen) Sullivan, Lindsay (Shawn) Bell; uncles, Karl (Angelia) Majors, Sam (Theresa) Majors, Jeff Gallion, Jimmy Gallion; many extended family and friends, because Dakotah loved everybody, and they loved her. Dakotah was preceded in death by great-great-grandmother, Marcella Christie GiGi and grandmother, Carol Gallion.

Calling hours will be held at Behm Family Funeral Home 175 S. Broadway in Geneva on Monday, July 9th, 3-8p.m. and Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 10th, 11:00 a.m., at Geneva High School, 1301 S. Ridge Rd. East. Both are open to the public. Immediately following the services on Tuesday, a luncheon will be held to celebrate Dakotah’s beautiful life at Austinburg Town Hall. Grief counselors will be available at Geneva High School all week. Contributions may be made to Xtreme Cheer, 503 W. Main St., Geneva, Ohio in Dakotahs memory.

The Behm Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends may leave condolences online at www.behmfuneral.com