Kayla Gail McKenzie

Kayla McKenzie, 33, unexpectedly passed away in Bismarck, ND on Saturday March 1, 2025.
Kayla was born on September 13, 1991, to Glenn McKenzie and Tamara No Heart in Watford City, ND. She is an enrolled member of the MHA Nation and descendent of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Kayla is a child of the Water Buster Clan.
Kayla grew up in the Mandaree community of the Fort Berthold Reservation with her parents and siblings. She was a true "daddy's girl," always right next to her dad and defending him no matter what.
She was kind, loving, humorous and witty! She had a caring, gentle spirit and never turned anyone away that needed help. Kayla enjoyed hanging out with her sisters and cousins playing basketball at the courts on the ridge. Kayla loved fishing and camping and spending summers at the lake with family. She was skilled at playing darts and horseshoes and never turned down a good game of 10,000.
Kayla was teased about being "high maintenance" and took pride in her appearance always fixing up, looking her best. She colored her own hair to make it look salon professional! She followed and mastered current beauty trends, and her nails and make-up were always on-point. She had plans of pursuing a career in cosmetology and massage therapy.
Kayla attended Mandaree School and later obtained her GED through the ND Higher Education Program. She relocated to the Bismarck area where she met and married her children's father Warren Looking Horse. From this union, she was blessed with four beautiful children: Aeriyana, Alaina, Alias and Warren Jr. Kayla cherished her children and was very proud of them. They were the true loves of her life.
Kayla worked for the CARES program at West Segment. She also was employed with the Four Bears Drug Awareness Team as a site coordinator/peer support for the Mandaree location. She brought her own experiences to the program being a person in recovery herself. She had a passion for caring for others. Her kind, beautiful soul will be missed by all who were graced with her love and friendship.
Kayla is survived by her mother Tamara No Heart; father Glenn McKenzie (Mildred); children Aeriyana, Aliana, Alias, and Warren Jr.; siblings Monty McKenzie, Monica McKenzie (DJ), Shyla McKenzie (Trent), LeeAnna Nation (Frank), Megan Brugh, Dawnie McKenzie, Garrett McKenzie, (Summer), Joe Don McKenzie, Kricket McKenzie, Stacy Bear (Jerald), Kraig Falcon (Helen), Tasha No Heart, and Lucy Chapin; nieces and nephews Kaven Mckenzie, Mya Jade Johnson, Quentin Johnson, Adriene Johnson, Devin Bear Claw, Cora Mann, Tommy Bear Claw, Francis Bear Claw, Molly Bear Claw, Oray Hall, Kambree & Heath Bear, Braylen Close, and Kaylee Bear; uncles Don McKenzie (Karen), James Yellow Wolf, and Kyle Mandan; aunts Ivanna McKenzie, Tana Lone Fight, Lisa Redford, Vivian Lone Fight, Della No Hert, Shannon Phelan, Jackie & Lynn Marvel; grandmothers Tana Lone Fight, Sharon Lone Fight, Carol Ann Newman, Mary Jane Yeahquo, Mary Gauchapin, and Martha Bird Bear; and grandfathers Ted Lone Fight III (Sherry), Pete Lone Fight, Randy Phelan, Wilbur Hunts Along, and Clayton Young Bear.
Kayla is welcomed home by her great-grandfathers Alonzo Young Bear and Ted LoneFight II; great-grandmothers Adele Fredericks, Mable Lone Fight, and Margie Hunts Along; grandfathers Reynolds Lone Fight, Ambrose Phelan Jr., and Terry (Tugga) Phelan; and grandmothers LouAnn Phelan, Gloria Lone Fight, Carol Brugh, and Mary Lou Lone Fight.