Estrellita Celeste Cardona-Hernandez, age 14 of Alpena, SD passed away after a courageous battle with Leukemia, on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Sanford Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, April, 21, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Huron followed by an all-night wake service which will begin at 4:00 pm on Friday at the Alpena Community Center in Alpena, SD. Her graveside service will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Resthaven Cemetery in Alpena, SD.

Estrellita Celeste Cardona-Hernandez, the daughter of Jose Elio Cardona and Gladys Hernandez, was born on June 20, 2008, in Huron, SD.  Estrellita lived in Alpena and attended school at Wessington Springs High School.

Estrellita loved her family and friends. She was very loving and caring, she loved keeping her family united.  Estrellita loved playing all kinds of sports, especially basketball and soccer, dancing, and putting puzzles together.  She enjoyed painting. Estrellita also enjoyed taking photographs and was hoping to be a professional photographer.  Not only did she want to be a photographer, but she also wanted to be a Dermatologist, a hairdresser and run her own salon.  Estrellita was a very friendly girl and had a lot of love for everyone.

Grateful for having shared in Estrellita's life are her parents, Jose Cardona, and Gladys Hernandez of Alpena; three brothers, Yosman (Darlyn) Cardona of Huron and Darwin and Richard Cardona both of Alpena; niece and nephew, Lesny and Yeiden Cardona of Huron; grandparents, Jose Luis (Virginia) Cardona and grandmother, Lorenza Serrano both of Guatemala.

Estrellita was preceded in death by her grandfather, Ricardo Hernandez; aunt, Aura Asucena Hernandez (Susi); two uncles, Santos Hernandez, and David Cardona; and cousins, Grecia Michelle Cardona Serrano and Lilian Yesina Hernandez Elvira.

Estrellita Celeste Cardona, hija de José Elio Cardona y Gladys Hernández, nació el 20 de Junio del 2008 en Huron, SD.  Estrellita vivió en Alpena y asistió a la escuela en Wessington Springs High School.

Estrellita amaba a su familia y amigos. Era muy amorosa, cariñosa y le encantaba mantener unida a su familia.  A Estrellita le encantaba practicar en todo tipo de deportes, especialmente baloncesto y fútbol, bailar y armar rompecabezas.  Le gustaba pintar. Estrellita también disfrutaba tomar fotografías y esperaba ser fotógrafa profesional.  No solo quería ser fotógrafa, sino que también quería ser dermatóloga, peluquera y dirigir su propio salón.  Estrellita era una chica muy amigable y tenía mucho amor por todos.

Agradecidos por haber compartido la vida de Estrellita están sus padres, José Cardona, y Gladys Hernández de Alpena; tres hermanos, Yosman (Darlyn) Cardona de Huron y Darwin y Richard Cardona, ambos de Alpena;sobrina y sobrino, Lesny y Yeiden Cardon de Huron; abuelos, José Luis (Virginia) Cardona y abuela, Lorenza Serrano ambos de Guatemala.

Estrellita es precedida en la muerte por su abuelo, Ricardo Hernández; tía, Aura Asucena Hernández (Susi); dos tíos, Santos Hernández y David Cardona; y primas, Grecia Michelle Cardona Serrano y Lilian Yesina Hernández Elvira.