Kendra Marie Lynn Ranes

Kendra Marie-Lynn Ranes, 18 years old, April 16, 2008 – September 5, 2026

Kendra Marie-Lynn Ranes was known affectionately to those who loved her as "Ken Ken" and "Kendi." She passed away on September 5, 2026, at her home in Bosque Farms, New Mexico, following a courageous battle with a mitochondrial genetic defect and a malignant neoplasm of the brain.

Born on April 16, 2008, in Sterling, Illinois, Kendra brought light and laughter into the world from her earliest days. Her life was measured not in length, but in the depth of love she gave and the joy she inspired in everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Kendra is survived by her devoted mother, Tiffiny Ranes; her grandmothers, Gayle Doty and Nana Texas; her uncle, David Fletcher; and many friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jesse Doty.

Kendra leaves behind her beloved animals: Diesel, her 2yr old dog; Izzy, her 3yr old dog; Big Bertha, her 5yr old indoor chicken; Bibbles, her 10-month-old pig; and her outside chickens, Mr. Cluckers, Midnight, Cookies and Sassy

Kendra graduated from Penn Foster High School in 2024, a milestone she achieved with determination and pride. With her heart set on a future spent caring for animals, she enrolled in a Vet Tech program and eagerly looked forward to completing her studies by the end of April 2027. Though her body did not allow her to reach that goal, her passion for the work never wavered. Kendra never gave up on her dreams, even when her health made every day a challenge.

Her love for animals was unlike anything her family had ever witnessed. It did not matter whether an animal belonged to her; in her heart, every one of them was hers to protect and cherish. Before moving from Illinois, Kendra volunteered for nearly a year at the Fulton County Animal Humane Society, where she became a proud and beloved member of the shelter community. Everyone there knew Kendra, and everyone there was better off having known her.

Kendra's greatest joys in life were her animals and her mother. She loved the outdoors, and few things made her happier than sitting beside a campfire with s'mores, her friends, and her dogs at her side. When she was feeling well, no one could match her energy. She loved to travel wherever her body would allow, and she carried with her a long list of places she still hoped to see. Yet what mattered most to Kendra was the time she spent with the people she loved. Whether it was a heartfelt conversation in her bedroom, a late lunch at three in the afternoon, or a simple car ride, everyone treasured their personal moments with her.

Those who spent time with Kendra will forever remember her remarkable spirit. She had a gift for making others feel wanted and loved, always placing the needs and comfort of those around her ahead of her own. She could make anyone laugh with her goofy faces, her giggles, her silly dances, and her quick, smart-aleck comebacks. Her dark humor and snappy wit were legendary among her friends and family, and she could brighten any room simply by walking into it. Behind all of that laughter lay an extraordinary strength. Kendra never gave up, not even at her sickest moments, and she never allowed anyone around her to give up either.

Kendra's life, though far too brief, was a testament to love, resilience, and unwavering compassion. She showed the world that a person's worth is not measured by the years they are given but by the tenderness they share and the courage they carry. Even as her body failed her, her spirit remained unbroken, and her devotion to the animals and people she loved never dimmed.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who loved and cared for Kendra throughout her life. In her memory, and in keeping with the spirit that defined her, the family asks that you honor Kendra by finding a person or an animal in need and helping them to the very best of your ability. There could be no more fitting tribute to a young woman who spent her days making others feel cherished, and who never once turned away from an animal in need.

May she rest in peace, surrounded now by the love she so freely gave, and may her light continue to shine in all who carry her memory forward.

Details of a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.