By David Robert | Published June 2026 | Fact-Checked and Verified from Family Statements and Public Tributes
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Makenzi Nichole Kern, affectionately known to family and friends as “Kenz,” has died following health complications while vacationing in Saint Barthélemy. She was 26.
According to information shared by her family, Kern passed away on June 8, 2026, just two days after celebrating her 26th birthday. She was surrounded by some of her closest friends during what loved ones described as a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, commonly known as St. Barts.
Her sudden passing has left family members, friends, colleagues, and former classmates mourning the loss of a young woman remembered for her kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication to the people she loved.
A Life Defined by Friendship, Service, and Joy
Born on June 6, 2000, Kern spent her formative years in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she developed the warm and welcoming personality that would become her hallmark.
Those who knew her often describe her as someone who could instantly brighten a room. Whether through a sarcastic joke, an infectious laugh, or a simple act of kindness, she had a remarkable ability to make people feel valued.
“To know Makenzi was to love her,” her family wrote in a tribute announcing her passing.
Friends say she lived fully and enthusiastically, embracing life’s adventures while remaining deeply committed to the people around her. Despite her outgoing nature, Kern rarely sought attention for herself. Instead, she focused on making others feel comfortable, included, and appreciated.
Family members recalled that even as a child she consistently put others first.
“You go first, I’ll get a turn later,” she would often tell other children on the playground, a phrase her loved ones say reflected the selfless spirit she carried throughout her life.
Education and Iowa State Years
Kern graduated from Lewis Central High School in 2018 before enrolling at Iowa State University, where she pursued a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
In 2022, she earned her bachelor’s degree and began the next chapter of her life equipped with a passion for helping others. During her university years, she was involved with the Cyclones spirit program and developed friendships that remained among the most important relationships in her life long after graduation.
Former classmates remember her as someone who brought energy, encouragement, and authenticity wherever she went.
Those friendships remained a constant source of support and joy throughout her adult life.
Career Dedicated to Youth and Community
Following graduation, Kern joined the YMCA of Greater Omaha, where she quickly established herself as a compassionate and dedicated leader.
She initially served as a Youth and Family Director before later becoming Membership Director at the Armbrust Branch.
Colleagues describe her as deeply committed to serving families and fostering a welcoming environment for members. Her work reflected the values she carried throughout her life: kindness, empathy, and a sincere desire to help others thrive.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, she was known for her devotion to friends, family, and her beloved cat, Dusty.
A Love for Adventure and the Water
Family members say some of Kern’s happiest memories involved water.
As a child, she famously convinced her mother to go swimming during a rainstorm while visiting Disney World. She loved boating with her father, water skiing, and spending time outdoors whenever possible.
That passion followed her to St. Barts, where friends say she recently experienced riding a Seabob for the first time. According to those who were with her, she enjoyed the activity so much they jokingly had difficulty convincing her to stop.
The story has become one of many cherished memories now shared by loved ones as they reflect on a life that ended far too soon.
Tragedy During a Celebration in St. Barts
Kern’s death occurred during a bachelorette celebration for Jade Jones, the fiancée of Tyrese Haliburton.
The group had traveled to Saint Barthélemy beginning June 2 to celebrate Jones’ upcoming wedding. Social media posts from the trip documented beach outings, birthday festivities, and gatherings among friends.
Jones, a former collegiate athlete and accomplished taekwondo competitor, has maintained a longstanding relationship with Haliburton, one of professional basketball’s rising stars.
The vacation was intended to mark a joyful milestone. Instead, it became the setting for an unexpected loss that has resonated widely online.
While public interest has grown because of the trip’s connection to prominent figures and its resemblance to the type of destination celebrations often associated with shows such as The Bachelorette, family members have emphasized that the focus should remain on Kern’s life, character, and legacy.
No additional official medical details regarding her health complications have been publicly released.
Remembering “Kenz”
Perhaps the strongest testament to Kern’s impact can be found in the countless tributes shared by those who knew her.
Family members describe her as someone who never wanted to inconvenience others and often avoided being the center of attention. Yet her personality naturally drew people toward her.
She shared a particularly close bond with her sister, Delani Kern. The two had recently become roommates and maintained a relationship characterized by equal parts playful rivalry and fierce loyalty.
Loved ones say Kern possessed a rare gift: the ability to transform acquaintances into lifelong friends.
That quality, more than any title or accomplishment, defines the legacy she leaves behind.
Survivors and Memorial Information
Makenzi Kern 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 Austin (Desmond Austin) and Alex Smart; grandparents Meerl and Karen Bever, Bonnie Waters, and Chuck Kern; as well as numerous extended family members, friends, coworkers, and community members whose lives she touched.
Celebration of Life arrangements are currently pending. The family is expected to announce service details at a later date.
As family and friends continue to grieve, many say they are choosing to remember Kern not for the circumstances of her death, but for the laughter, compassion, loyalty, and joy she brought to others every day she was alive.
Her life may have been brief, but the impact she made on those around her will endure for years to come.