The event started in June 2014, after Deb Hadley’s 24-year-old daughter Kaylie Hogue died from an epileptic seizure June 5 2013 and her 20-year-old son Tyler Hadley died March 7 2014 in a car crash along with 17-year-old Payton Adams, 18-year-old John Mangen, and 17-year-old Caleb Quesenberry.

It originated as a 5k run, with proceeds given to Martin County West, where Kaylie Hogue taught, and the Epilepsy Foundation. The event proceeded yearly through 2017, after which the Hadley family moved to Alexandria. KT Humble Hearts began hosting an event in Alexandria in 2020. Deb Hadley said with a new location, the focus shifted as well.

“It wasn’t about [just] our family, it wasn’t about the boys in the accident,” she said. “fIt was really honoring [all of] those who had passed away.”

Now, 10 years after the first KT Humble Hearts event, they are returning to Sleepy Eye with a Remembrance Walk Sept. 15. It will be a mile-long walk, lined with signs honoring loved ones who have passed. On the back of each sign will be a scripture or inspirational quote.

Photo submitted by Deb Hadley Signs memorializing fallen community members stand tall for all to remember.

The walk will take place from 2-3 p.m., followed by a presentation with every loved one on a slide.

“We’ll recognize each of them, and they can stand up and honor their loved one.”

Registration is $40. To have a loved one in the program, on a sign, and in the slide show, participants must register before Sept. 9.

Deb Hadley said they had always envisioned coming back for the 10th anniversary with a faith jam and a color run. When it came closer to fruition, she said the Remembrance Walk made more sense.

“We found this to be more meaningful,” Hadley said. “It was definitely more giving back.”

Photo submitted by Deb Hadley Members of the Trebesch family gather around a sign honoring Austin Trebesch.

Planning an event 2.5 hours away is no easy feat. Hadley said they’ve had plenty of help from old friends.

“We have a team down here that helped us at the first one,” she said. “They’re helping us again. With it not being a color run, not having a silent auction and a great big meal, we don’t need the manpower and the volunteers that we needed before,”

Hadley said this event is a way for her to give back to the community after the losses she has had.

“It’s very healing for us,” she said. “One of the greatest ways to heal and find purpose through suffering is to give back and help the next person. I feel Sleepy Eye is our home, even though I love living in Alexandria. Every time I come back, I feel like I’m home.”

Even if people are unable to register, Hadley invites everyone to come and partake in what the event has to offer.