Grief Garden provides developmentally appropriate, individually tailored, support to children who have a loved one that has a life threatening healthcare diagnosis or a loved one who has died. Our front line children's support is provided by a Certified Child Life Specialist either in the home setting or via use of Grief Garden's Virtual Playroom. Therapy services are also available to children, and their caregivers, through referral to our therapy team. Review our available services by navigating the menu. Don't see what you are looking for or have additional questions? Please reach out directly using the contact information at the bottom of our website.
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Meet Our Team
Katie Ransdell
MS, CCLS, IPPE-C
Owner/Director
Katie completed her Bachelor of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Carroll University and her Master of Science in Human Health and Physiology-Child Life from The University of Iowa. After completing her education she worked in children's hospitals throughout the Midwest providing support to pediatric patients experiencing health stressors and medical trauma on the general inpatient and intensive care units, as well as the emergency department. Katie transitioned into the hospice/end of life field in 2022 working to support children experiencing their own end of life and providing emotional care for children experiencing the death of a loved one; of any relationship.
Katie has a passion for supporting kids and helping families have tough conversations regarding illness, death/dying, and grief. She is a Certified Child Life Specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) and a Certified International Partner for Perinatal Excellence (IPPE-C). She won the Caring Kind Award in 2021 through her work in the Emergency Department at Children's Nebraska and the Shining Star Award in 2025 from the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association (NHPCA).
Gloria Goodenberger
BS, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Gloria completed her Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Services from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2010. After completing her education she worked in children's hospitals throughout the Midwest supporting children and families experiencing medical stressors, serious illness, and end-of-life. Throughout this work Gloria has provided developmentally appropriate education, emotional support, and opportunities for memory making with the families she has cared for.
Gloria joins the Grief Garden team to continue engaging in her passion for supporting children through serious illness, anticipatory grief, and the death of a loved one. She is committed to helping families navigate difficult conversations with honesty and compassion, creating emotionally safe spaces for expression and healing. Gloria is a Certified Child Life Specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). She was honored as a March of Dimes Heroes in Action finalist in 2022 for her dedication to compassionate, family-centered care.
Makenzie Ailey
PCMSW, PLMHP
Therapist
Makenzie completed her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Iowa and Master of Science in Social Work from Florida State University. She is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and a Provisionally Licensed Certified Master Social Worker, allowing her to provide mental health therapy in the state of Nebraska. She began her work with grief/end-of-life care in 2019 with a focus on hospice care. During her time in the hospice field she provided support to both adult and pediatric populations.
Makenzie utilizes multiple techniques such as Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, and other evidenced based modalities to provide support. She strives to provide a safe and embracing environment that allows individuals to experience their grief and learn coping mechanisms as they navigate its winding course.
Makenzie joins the Grief Garden team to continue engaging in her passion for supporting children and families experiencing grief. She has chosen to pursue providing therapy as a means to support her clients when traditional support groups or peer-to-peer support is not enough.
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Makenzie is currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. She also accepts clients on a private pay basis with a sliding scale.
