Makenna Marie Maurisak

Makenna Marie Maurisak, age 24, of Manhattan, Illinois, passed away on January 15, 2026. Though she left this world far too soon, Makenna leaves behind an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to have known her and a more beautiful world for those who did not.

To know Kenna was to love her. She was a beloved daughter to Kelly and Randy Maurisak, a cherished sister to Missy and her husband Joe, and to Kyle and his wife Ana, and a guiding light to her niece Kylie and nephew Lucas. She was the proud and loving mother to the most spoiled bearded dragon in the world, Dobby, whom she adored with the same boundless care she gave to all living things.

Kenna was the heart of every family gathering; the life of the party, dearly loved by her aunts and uncles, the favorite cousin, and a constant source of laughter and warmth. To her friends, the Zoo Crew, the Creamery family, and so many others, she was a powerful source of love, loyalty, and comfort. She treated everyone she met like family. To many, she was everyone’s little sister. To all who met her, she was simply a beacon of light.

A Prolific and Fearless Creative

Makenna was a profoundly prolific creative. There was no artistic discipline too complex or intimidating for her to explore. She was a musician, filmmaker, writer, photographer, and a proud Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, a storyteller in every sense of the word. With a deep love for fantasy and world-building, her imagination was endless and immersive.

She had some college experience in filmmaking and psychology, but ultimately discovered that her true calling was content creation and writing. She was actively growing a creative community through Twitch and YouTube under the name “CasualBardicRogue,” while simultaneously working on her writing.

Makenna had just published her first novel, Flames: An Elemental Saga, under the pen name Kenna Marie, and was well on her way to completing its sequel. Her work was a testament to her belief that anything is possible when you commit yourself fully: with time, effort, curiosity, and love.

Kenna inspired the creatives around her not through ego or ambition, but through authenticity. She proved that creativity does not need permission and that dreams are meant to be pursued wholeheartedly.

A Heart for All Living Things

Makenna had a deep and abiding love for animals. She found beauty in the misunderstood creatures of the world and believed that all life deserved compassion, patience, and care. That belief extended to people as well. Kenna possessed multitudes; she had room in her heart for everyone.

Her kindness was unwavering and unmistakable. She had an uncanny ability to make anyone laugh, to make any room brighter, and to remind those around her that joy is not only possible, it is essential. Her smile was contagious. Her presence was grounding. Her love was endless.

She inspired us all to be better versions of ourselves and reminded us, time and again, that life, despite its hardships, can be full of wonder, laughter, and light.

She was everyone’s favorite.