Frederick Charles McKenzie

Fred McKenzie, age 98, formally of Sioux Rapids and resident of Riverview Assisted living in Spencer, died Friday, August 30th, 2024.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.
Fred was born in rural Algona, IA to William and Freda (Wessar) McKenzie on February 1st, 1926. Fred graduated from Livermore High School in 1944 and was then drafted into the Navy. He served on the USS Albemarle until being honorably discharge in June of 1946. He married Bettie Hughes of Livermore, IA in February of 1946. From this union, Michael, Scot, Barbara, Kathy, and Russell were born. Fred continued his education and received his bachelor's in teaching at Drake University and his master's at Wayne State College. He was a teacher, coach, and superintendent of schools in Wallace, Macy, and Emerson-Hubbard in Nebraska as well as Sioux Rapids, Ocheyden-Melvin and Albert City-Truesdale, IA until retiring in 1988.
Fred was a member of First Lutheran Church and Legion Post 394 in Sioux Rapids. He and wife Bettie enjoyed their retirement in Sioux Rapids and spent time visiting Mission, Texas for many years. When Fred and Bettie were 95 they moved to Spencer. Fred into Riverview Assisted Living and Bettie St. Luke's Nursing Home where they stayed until their deaths. Fred both enjoyed the new company made and the food that was always good! His favorite activities included visiting with friends, reading, dancing, playing cards, watching high school/college football, and eating pie! He also enjoyed phone calls from his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Les McKenzie and Bob (Alice) Twigg, sister Dorothy (Chuck) Clark, brother-in-law Louie Garman, son-in-law Hugh Cooper, and his wife, Bettie, whom he was married 77 years. Left to cherish his memory includes his sister Freda Garman; sons Mike (Becky) McKenzie of FL, Scot (Mary) McKenzie of MN, Russ (Tif) McKenzie of WY; daughters Barb Cooper of SC, Kathy (Oren) Geisinger of IA`, nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren along with many other friends and relatives.
A special thank you to Avera Hospice, Riverview, and St. Luke's who cared for Fred (and Bettie) during these last three years of life. The McKenzie family appreciates all you did and have done.
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