Makenzi Kern

Makenzi Nichole Kern, affectionally known as "Kenz", age 26, passed away unexpectedly from health complications on June 8th, 2026 two days after her 26th birthday, June 6th, 2000. She was surrounded by her closest friends on a once in a lifetime trip to St. Barthelemy Island.

To know Makenzi was to love her. She lived life to the fullest; she was silly, goofy and could brighten everyone's spirits when she was around. She grew up in Council Bluffs Iowa and graduated from Lewis Central High School in 2018. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in 2022 in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University where she cheered for the Cyclones. During her time at ISU, she deepened her friendships there that she maintained way beyond her days at ISU.

After college, she started her career at the YMCA of Greater Omaha. Initially, as a Youth and Family Director and then later as Membership Director for Armbrust Branch. Kenz was dedicated to her job, her friends and her beloved pets; especially her cat Dusty. She never wanting to let anyone down or upset them. So much so even as a child she would let all of the kids on the playground go down the slide first saying "you go first, I'll get a turn later." 

She loved the water. She talked her mom into going to the pool to go swimming in the middle of a rain storm during their trip to Disneyworld. She was a mama's girl those early years and could talk her into just about anything. She loved boating with her dad, water skiing, and got to try out a seabob for the first time in St Barths. According to her friends, they had to drag her off because she loved it so much, evidence that she was having an amazing time.

Kenz had a special relationship with her sister, Delani. Most recently they moved in together. You may have heard them fighting constantly but anyone who knows them also knows that they would have fought to death for each other if anyone tried to mess with the other one. 

 Kenzi never wanted to be an inconvenience. She'd be upset with all of us for putting up a fuss about her in this way or making her the center of attention. She liked to fly under the radar, just crack a joke or sarcastic comment and makes everyone laugh. One might say that she got her sarcasm from her father. Even though she never wanted to be the center of attention, people gravitated to her. She had a way of making everyone she met a friend. Which is why she has so many long lasting relationships.

She is survived by her mother, Teri Dietchler (David Dietchler); father, Chris Kern (Lona Smart); sister, Delani Kern (Chase Ahlers); boyfriend, Alan Dungan; step siblings, Kyleigh (Desmond) Austin and Alex Smart; grandparents, Meerl and Karen Bever, Bonnie Waters and Chuck Kern. 

She was loved deeply by too many extended family and friends to mention everyone.

 
Celebration of Life Services are pending.