David Samuel McKenzie, our incredible husband, father, grandpa, brother, son, boss and friend, left this world peacefully on Sunday April 18 with his family at his side.  

Dave was born in Helena Montana on September 28, 1935 to Vivian (Skinner) and John Redmond McKenzie, the third of six children, and was always proud to tell you he was from Big Sky Country. After graduating from Cathedral High School he joined the military like his big brother.

As a Korean War veteran, Dave was proud to serve his country.  After being honorably discharged from the Army, Dave attended Carroll College in Helena and later studied marketing at Denver University.   

Dave married the love of his life, Marian Humphrey, on August 30, 1958 in Helena and started their 56-year marriage in Denver, Colorado.

Dave took his first sales job at National Biscuit in 1958, which took him and his new wife to Rapid City, South Dakota. It was there that after several years and four children later he started his career in the liquor business with the Wholesale Western Liquor Company.

In 1964 Dave took his sales skills and growing family to Minneapolis where he joined the the Barclays Company, a subsidiary of Hiram Walker. It was also in Minneapolis that he became a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan, and he passed that passion onto his kids. Even after a job transfer to Ft. Lauderdale his loyalty to the Purple Pride never waned. Two more children rounded out the McKenzie clan during this time.

In 1976 he joined the Frank Liquor Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin and remained working in the industry he loved most until retiring in 1998. He found his second family at Frank and the whole team became a well oiled machine. La Crosse became home, and over the years he and Marian were blessed with many wonderful friends, grandchildren and memories.

Dave’s love of travel took him and Marian to many different countries in his lifetime, but his favorite destination was always the Emerald Isle. His deep love of his Irish heritage connected him with the La Crosse Shamrock Club, which awarded him the distinction of Irishman of the Year in 1991.

A man of deep faith, Dave taught us all about how to treat your fellow man, the right way to shake someone’s hand and the healing power of a hug.

He loved a good scotch, a fine cigar and a song.

Quote’s we’ll always remember:

“The bus is leaving.”

“We’ve got plenty of gas, and it’s four cents cheaper in La Crescent.”

“Sit in the car and look ugly.”

Dave is survived by his wife Marian; children Michael (Jennifer Wickey) McKenzie, Maureen (Roy) Stintzi, John (Laurie) McKenzie, Patrick (Linda) McKenzie, Matthew McKenzie and Colleen (John) Daines; grandchildren Conor, Nolan, David, Kelsey, Morgan, Mara, Erin, Killian, Sam, Kyle, Mackenzie, Spencer, Jack and Rylee; great grandchildren Jaylyn and Kashton; sisters Judy (Walt) Kuehlthau and Joyce (Jim) Taylor, brother Thomas McKenzie, sisters-in-law Carole (Barb Brown) Humphrey and Marilyn McKenzie, brothers-in-law John Humphrey and Bill Morrissette and many,many nieces and nephews; 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John R “Pat” McKenzie Jr. and sister Janice Morrissette; daughter-in-law Deborah McKenzie, sister-in-law Betty Humphrey, nephew Daniel Humphrey and favorite in-laws Hazel and Harold Humphrey.

Dave will be interned with veteran’s honors at Fort Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota at a later date.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to all the family and friends that reached out to Dave in the last few weeks of his life, the staff at Gundersen Clinic, Hospice and Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Holmen.  Go out and give everyone you love a hug today…

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 515 North Main St., Holmen.  Father John Parr will officiate.  Visitations will be held on Friday, April 24th from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the church, and also from 9:00 am until the mass at the church on Saturday.

We request that any donations be made to Saint Elizabeth’s Church or a charity of your choice.