Frances McKenzie

A public visitation will be held from 12-2 pm Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.  A private family service will be held.  Interment will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Frances Idell McKenzie, 81, of Virginia passed away Monday, August 24, 2020 at her home surrounded by family.

Frances was born on September 16, 1938 to Oscar and Agnes (Lorenson) Olson in Strathcona, MN.  She grew up and attended school in Strathcona until the age of seventeen when her family moved to Virginia in 1955.  Frances was united in marriage to Patrick McKenzie on June 20, 1981.  Frances had many jobs throughout her life, including the Arrow Shirt Factory in Virginia.  She spent most of her working career in food services and gardening, which is thoroughly enjoyed and was known to have quite a “Green Thumb”.   She had also worked for the Cherry Greenhouse where she truly experienced joy in her work. Frances volunteered at the AEOA, prepared taxes for AARP, and at the Virginia Hospital.

Baking and cooking were a passion of hers, especially baking lefsa, pasties, and donuts which she lovingly gave to her family and friends.  Frances was also an amazing wedding cake baker, having baked many gorgeous cakes for weddings out of her home.  She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, canning and puzzles.  Her family remember her as a wonderful caretaker to all of them.  Frances had a real enthusiasm for life and took the greatest pleasure in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Patrick; six children: Scott (Alma) Angove of Hibbing, Mark (Angie) Angove of Virginia state, Dawn (Marty) Linder of OH, Lisa ((Todd Shaefbauer) Angove of Gilbert, Sheri (Wade) Buetow of Farmington, and Jodi (Tyler) McCumber of TN; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four siblings: JoAnne White, Paul Olson, Lois Archibald, and Gary Olson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Arlene, Dale, Gordon, and Carol; and her parents.