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Nellie Ellen Arquette

“ MacKenzie, Gertrude

MacKenzie, Gertrude Pinconning, Michigan Gertrude MacKenzie joined her family in heaven May 6, 2005 after a short illness. Gertrude, age 94, was born on Nov. 8, 1910 to David and Josephine (Compeau) LaBean. On December 24, 1926 she married George MacKenzie in Pinconning, MI. He predeceased her on Dec. 22, 1996 and was buried on their 70th wedding anniversary. Before her marriage she moved to Detroit with family, worked in the first ever bleach factory and met the love of her life George. In the first 20 years of marriage they made their home in Detroit area. During the war she worked at Murray Body with George as her foreman. In 1945 they left Detroit and bought a farm in Pinconning on Cody Estey Rd. There she raised the rest of her children and helped run the farm until they moved to her childhood home on Mt. Forest Rd, in 1993. She was a member of St. Michaels Church and the St. Anne’s Society. She left behind: Geraldine Buchalski of Birch Run, Roy (Marlene) MacKenzie, Pinconning, Shirley (Ron) Frick of Beaverton, Gail Troxell and Fay MacKenzie both of Standish, Diane (Louie) Waskevich of Midland, Bonnie (Tom) Gibson, Pinconning, Dan (June) MacKenzie, Auburn and Connie (Art) McConney of Sterling; daughter-in-laws: Beverly and Eleanor of Pinconning; 44 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren; and 23 great- great grandchildren. Besides her husband she was predeceased by her parents; 5 brothers: Silas, David, William, Levi, and Archie; 3 Sisters: Leoma MacKenzie, Rose Hollbrook, and Angeline Donley; children: George Jr., Harold, Joyce Raetzel and Vernon; son-in-laws: Chet Buchalski, Clarence Raetzel, and Ron Troxell, and daughter-in-law Mary Ann. Also waiting in heaven are grandchildren: Jimmy Troxell, Todd Pomerville, Ray Mark Raetzel and Daniel MacKenzie Jr.; and great-grandchildren: Tim MacKenzie II and Heidi MacKenzie. Her favorite pastime was cooking for her husband and family. Every Sunday and holiday was filled with family and the smell of good cooking. When she wasn’t cooking she enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, and all kinds of sewing for her children and grandchildren. In her younger days she enjoyed a vegetable garden (with lots of strawberries for shortcake), her flower gardens, and fishing on the bay. At 55 she learned to bowl and had many enjoyable times and met many new friends who gave her many precious memories. At 93 she took up gambling at the casino and was ready to go anytime the motor home was headed in the direction. Special thanks to the wonderful care she received at both Standish Hospital and the Standish Skilled Nursing Center. They went above and beyond to treat both Mom and the extra large family that shared her last days. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, May 9, 2005 at 10 a.m. from St. Michael Church with Rev. Fr. Michael Wolf presiding with burial in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Friends may call Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. A Rosary Service will be held at 3 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. the funeral home. On Monday Mrs. MacKenzie will lie in state from 9 a.m. until time of services. Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home Pinconning leeramsayrivertownfh.com “8282

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Silas LaBean