May God bless you and your...
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
March 23, 2026
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Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
McKenna Wendel
Jan 30, 2012 - Mar 19, 2026 (Age 14)
Guest Book
McKenna at 2023 SDUIH cultural camp.
Thinking of you, Rose and family. It was nice getting to know McKenna when she came to SDUIH programs. I remember her trying to take frogs home from camp on the bus :)
Michaela Seiber
March 23, 2026
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I’m Davina I’m one of her old friends I knew her since elementary school and we would go to Native American and she told me this one time that her grandma knew my grandma which is ester And McKenna will be in my heart every day and in every moment I will have and I dance at powwows and I seen her and hugged her and I will keep dancing for her I will keep her name alive and I’m sorry for your loss we all miss her every single day
Davina Iron Heart
March 23, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
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Im sorry that your daughter died
Sydney
March 23, 2026 | Other
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May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. She is a beautiful angel!
Annie Benson
March 23, 2026 | Windom, MN
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Beautiful family photo from my daughter's wedding when I first met Rose and Ralph. Cherish and hold close the memories. Patricia and Gary Herbert from New York
Beautiful family photo from my daughter's wedding when I first met Rose and Ralph. Cherish and hold close the memories. Patricia and Gary Herbert from New York
Patricia Herbert
March 23, 2026 | Hadley, NY | Acquaintance
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Beautiful family photo from my daughter's wedding when I first met Rose and Ralph. Cherish these memories. Patricia and Gary Herbert from New York
A beautiful family photo from my daughter's wedding when I first met Rose and Ralph. Cherish and hold close the memories. Patricia and Gary Herbert from New York
Patricia Herbert
March 23, 2026 | Hadley, NY | Acquaintance
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Rose. Ralph, and Marisa I don't believe anyone can fathom the loss and devastation that is unfolding in your hearts. I pray that Reid is there to welcome her and guide her with comfort and love. McKenna Rose is cradled in the arms of her Maker now and may those who remain here on earth gather strength from family, friends, prayer, and church. Cherish and hold close the memories. Rose I will keep you close in my prayers. God only knows you have endured in your lifetime immense pain and...
Patricia Herbert
March 23, 2026 | Hadley, NY | Acquaintance
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So very sorry for your loss.
Cleda Bulger
March 23, 2026 | Central City, PA
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Obituary
McKenna's Obituary
Our precious McKenna Rose was called home to heaven on March 14, 2026.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. Family will gather for a wake service and visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. A short prayer service to begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
McKenna Rose Wendel was born on January 30, 2012, to Marisa Wendel in Sioux Falls, where she was raised by her grandparents, Ralph and Rose Wendel.
From a young age, it was apparent McKenna had a vibrant personality and a zest for life. She loved being outdoors — climbing trees, playing in the park, and riding her bike. She could often be found digging in the dirt looking for critters or catching tadpoles to bring home as pets.
McKenna loved animals. She spent a great deal of time trying to convince her grandma that they should adopt lizards, frogs, and any other little creature that caught her eye. They finally settled on two hermit crabs and a sheepadoodle named Iris. When her hermit crabs passed away, she held a funeral for them and had her Papa make a cross for their burial.
McKenna and her grandparents often attended Pow-wows together. She loved the singing and the beautiful sounds of the drums.
McKenna's grandparents' home was filled with family, laughter, and love — a home base for all the kids and grandkids. McKenna was a devoted big sister, and her siblings cherished every moment spent with her.
Entering junior high, McKenna played volleyball and basketball. She made friends easily, her closest friend being Aaliyah. McKenna and Aaliyah loved their sleepovers, spending time making dance videos, listening to music, and watching the sunset. McKenna's friends adored her quick wit, her encouraging words, and her ability to light up even the quietest of rooms.
McKenna's sweet, gentle nature and her fun sense of humor will be cherished and greatly missed. She was the center around which her grandparents' lives revolved. She touched the hearts and lives of all who knew her.
McKenna is survived by her grandparents, Ralph and Rose Wendel; her mother, Marisa Wendel; her siblings, Kinsley and Roman; her cousin, Warner Wendel; her uncle, Drake, and his two children, Alayona and Kenai.
She is preceded in death by her beloved uncle, Reid Wendel.
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