McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba

McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba, 17, died tragically on January 2nd, 2026. McKenzie was born January 21st, 2008 in Battle Creek, MI. Born 21 years after her sisters, Kenzie was a welcomed surprise and had a special relationship with her mother that kept her young.

She was full of life and enjoyed doing many different arts/crafts, cardio drumming and going out to eat with family. She also enjoyed going shopping with her mother. But she could also be a homebody who enjoyed staying in and spending time with her close family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family on the holidays, especially Christmas. She loved to help decorate the house. She was an incredibly hard worker and loved her job at McDonald's in Urbandale. She was set to graduate from Pennfield High School this spring. After high school her plan was to attend Kellogg Community College and get her Radiography degree.

McKenzie is survived by her mother, Sheree Hadden; her sisters, Crystal (Chris) Evans, Kayla Hadden (Dennis Pendygraft) and Kaylen Karaba; Aunts, Rachel (Richard) Lampman, Kimberly (Mark) Nelson and Uncle Daniel (Ai)Hadden; Nephews, Tyler Boggess, Declan Pendygraft, Kaisen and Ezekiel Bates; Great Nephew, Jai’mier Evans; Nieces, Breanna Evans, Alexis Goheen, Alicia Pendygraft and Lalayah Bates; Cousins, Bethanie (Seth) Grinage, Sarah (Christopher Kubasiak) Prell, Trumen Prell, Leah Hadden, Noah Hadden, Jeffrey (Katie) Nelson and children Maxton and Madelyn, Ashley (Adam) Billen and children Caleb and Benjamin, Boyfriend, Brandon McGee, Best-friend Haley Pike and many other friends and coworkers.

She was preceded in death by Grandmother, Linda Hadden; Grandparents, Phyllis and Richard Hadden; Uncle, Gary Clymer; Aunt, Cheryl Rudd and Nephew, Kaden Bates.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services to celebrate McKenzie’s life will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the following Go Fund Me link: https://gofund.me/a8b4eda2b or directly to the funeral home to help pay for funeral expenses. 

McKenzie's service will be livestreamed at the following link:  https://vimeo.com/event/5633403

Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.