Smith Center - Marilyn P. McKenzie, 84, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Smith Center Health and Rehab.
Marilyn was born August 5, 1935 on the family farm in rural Smith County, KS, the daughter of Herman Jacob and Margaret (Dohe) Giese. On May 5, 1957 she married Myron McKenzie, to this union they were blessed with four children, Kelly, Kimberly, Janeille and Jay. She and Myron later were divorced. Marilyn had been the City of Smith Center Treasurer for 23 years, 1980 - 2003.
While growing up on the family farm, Marilyn, her sisters and brother Bob helped their parents with the day to day farm chores, grew large gardens, canned vegetables and raised and butchered chickens. Marilyn enjoyed singing with her brother and sisters. Lorena would play the piano while she, Dorothy, Carol, Joyce and Bob would do the singing. Family and being together was always important to Marilyn. Almost every weekend the family would get together at her folk’s or one of her sister’s homes. The day would be spent visiting, playing cards, games, horseshoes, and other outdoor activities. Marilyn also enjoyed going fishing with Bob, Nadine and Joyce and taking her children fishing, sometimes even for crawdads. Marilyn was very artistic and talented at making crafts. She painted, crocheted, cross stitched, made doilies, leather wallets, checkbook covers and had many other hobbies. She was an excellent cook and many times never used a recipe but everything always turned out great. Marilyn loved the holidays and making Christmas candy, she did this every year with her children and grandchildren. She loved to teach them how to make the candy and then sit back and supervise. Marilyn enjoyed watching the Kansas City Royals baseball games on TV and attending some games in Kansas City with Joyce. She was also a big KU basketball fan and loved to watch them play.
She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Margaret, a brother, Robert (Nadine) Giese and an infant brother Myron Giese.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Kelly McKenzie, Kim (Kevin Baetz) Hawkins, Jay (Penny) McKenzie all of Smith Center, Jan (Tony) Henry of Salina; four sisters, Dorothy (Dean) Seems of Gaylord, Carol (James) Wolf of Gloucester, VA, Lorena (Howard) Stephens of Kensington, Joyce Giese of Hastings, NE; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 17, 2020 at St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, KS, with Pastor Bob Sinclair officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center and until service time Friday at the church. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Gaylord, KS. Memorials may be given to the Marilyn P. McKenzie Memorial Fund and sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.