Gilbert I. "Gib" McKenzie

Gilbert I. McKenzie, age 79, passed away peacefully, yet unexpectedly, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Meadowbrook of Appleton. On October 13, 1946, Gilbert Ivan was born in Charles City, Iowa to Earl and Lucille (Maulsby) McKenzie. Following his graduation from Charles City High School, he continued his education at Milwaukee Area Technical College, receiving an Associate's Degree in Typesetting. Gib met Shirley Meske and they were united in marriage on July 23, 1966; she had preceded him in death in 1999. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1966, serving during Viet Nam and was awarded 2 purple hearts. Following his honorable discharge in 1967, Gib had worked for Badger Press in Jefferson, Wisconsin before moving to Burlington, Iowa in 1973, where he worked for Craftsman Press for many years. While in Burlington, he helped start a WELS church and was a member of the local Lions Club. Gib and Shirley moved to the Fox Valley in 1996, making their home in Menasha as he worked for various printing firms in the area. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Neenah and Gib was a member of the Neenah-Menasha VFW for a short time. Gib met Catherine Redmann Koch and they were married on December 15, 2000. He was honored to be able be a part of the Old Glory Honor Flight in October of 2019. Gib had a passion for wheels and loved riding motorcycles or driving his mustangs. He was also a loyal Chicago Bears fan.

Gib will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 25 years, Cathy; his children: Pastor Tony McKenzie (Krista) McKenzie and Wendy (Dan) Bolger; his grandchildren: Jordan, Anna (Isaac), Justus (Stephanie), Zachary (fiancée, Tabitha), and Hunter (Yusi); his great-grandchildren: Elanor, Matthias, Remi, and Riley; his step-children: Jason (Teresa) Koch, Rebecca (Ken) Ambrosini, and Paul (Samantha) Koch; his step-grandchildren: Breanna, Hailey, Madeline, Ella, Vincent, Owen, Siena, and Lucy; his sister, Bonnie (Daniel) Nicholson; his in-laws: Terri McKenzie, Matt Redmann, Kerry (Mike) Franks, and William Hesse; as well as many other family members and friends.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis McKenzie; and sister-in-law, Barbara Hesse.

The Memorial Service for Gib will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 407 Oak Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956. The Time of Gathering will be held from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service at the church. Inurnment will take place in Christberg Cemetery in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Gib to:

Trinity Lutheran Church, 407 Oak Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956

920-722-6712

https://secure.myvanco.com/YN81/home

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the caring staff of both Meadowbrook and Bristol Hospice for their loving kindness and tender care given to Gib.