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In Loving Memory of Lawrence John McKenzie, May 14, 1931 – July 24, 2020

Lawrence (Larry, Roots) was born in Nye, Wisconsin to Thomas and Lucy McKenzie. He was raised in the St. Croix Falls, Deer Lake and Hayward, WI areas. Being the eldest, he helped his father and three brothers run the family farm. He helped raise his five younger siblings, as his mother Lucy had passed away when he was very young.

After high school he worked at Armours in South Saint Paul. He then joined the Marines in 1951 for the Korean War, serving for two years. He went back to work at Armours.

He met and married his “little dove” Yvonne Longnecker in 1954. Through this union five children were born. He left Armour and ventured out to a few other jobs then decided to purchase the service station in Chisago City in 1975. He continued to operate his station until he retired.

He was an active member of the Taylors Falls Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion for 30 years and was on the Chisago City Council. He enjoyed snowmobiling in his younger years. His love for Polka and Country music led him to teach all his children to dance. He would often break out his harmonica and play it for us. He loved working on cars, playing cribbage and growing roses and giving them to his bride. He participated in the Senior Activity Program and we all discovered Dad had a beautiful talent for painting pictures, just like his sister Mary. He instilled in all of his children strong family values, to work hard and to help the less fortunate. He loved to share stories of his life, and his humor and goofiness were his trademarks!

He is preceeded in death by his parents Thomas and Lucy McKenzie;  brother Francis (Fats) McKenzie, sister Mary Pfannes and his grandson Aaron Lamson.

Survived by his loving wife Yvonne McKenzie; daughters Cindy (Gary) Vangsness, Mary (David) Bailey, LuAnn (Mike) Peterson; sons David Mckenzie, Lance (Terri) McKenzie, adopted son Curtis Johnson, 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; siblings Clarence McKenzie, Leo McKenzie and Patricia Parmer.

A public visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Grandstrand Funeral Home, in Lindstrom. A private family funeral will be held.

The Family respectfully requests the wearing of masks and to social distance.  Condolences may be express online at www.grandstrand fh.com

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