Dakota L. DeKorne

Dakota Lynne passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home in Grant, MI, surrounded by her most cherished family. Dakota was strong, stubborn and could light up any room she was in, her laugh and smile were infectious and brought joy to everyone around her. Dakota was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect in utero, making her a fighter before she was even born. With the odds against her in every way, she proved the doctors wrong, by fighting until birth, and fighting even harder after that. Dakota was born May 17, 2024 at University of MI Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI to her loving parents, Devin and Jefrey Dekorne, this is where she stayed fighting so fearlessly until she received the greatest gift there could be, a new heart. On July 21, 2024 at just 2 months old, Dakota underwent open heart transplant surgery and again, showed everyone around her just how strong she was. By August 6, 2024 she was thriving by all accounts and was for the first time, heading home, where she was meant to be. While Dakota continued to have her ups and downs, good days and bad, you never would have been able to tell with her constant smiles, contagious laughter, she lit up any room she entered, made every person she encountered feel special and loved. Even at such a young age, she knew she was given a second chance at life, and she embraced every moment of it.

Dakota is survived by her loving parents, Devin and Jefrey DeKorne; big brothers who she absolutely adored, Jacob and Aaron DeKorne; baby sister, River June DeKorne; grandparents, George and Hydie Woodard and Jef and Robin DeKorne; great grandparents, Virginia Woodard, Bud & Judith DeKorne; aunts and uncles whom she loved deeply, Riley (Woodard) and Rick Anderson, Taylor (Woodard) and Dillon Bradley, Holly (DeKorne) and Jake Garza, James DeKorne, Jacky (DeKorne) and Lacie Hennes, as well as her many great aunts and uncles. Her cousins whom she adored spending time with including, Dallas Bradley, Vernalei, Izeaya, and Isabella Garza, Reagan and Maven Decker, Ben and Charlie Kramer, as well as many other cherished extended family and friends who loved and supported her throughout her journey.

Dakota was welcomed to heaven with open arms by her grandma, Yvonne Knevels; great grandparents, Brent Woodard, Lynne Hunter, and Gerald Garner; uncle, Brad Woodard; aunt, Keri Woodard. Her family takes great comfort in knowing what a beautiful moment that must have been.

The family will greet friends Wednesday, February 11 from 2:00 p.m. until a celebration of life at 3:00 p.m. at K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to Levi’s Legacy, a nonprofit organization founded by and made for Heart Warriors, or Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor.