Thomas Jerome McKenzie

Thomas Jerome McKenzie passed away at home Saturday, January 5, 2019 after a courageous battle with stomach cancer.

Tom was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 27, 1933 to parents William and Rose (Mertens) McKenzie.  He graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1952.  In 1954, he married his high school sweetheart Deloris Orlando.

During high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two years of the seven years of service at Cherry Point, North Carolina.  He worked at the Hamm Brewing Company beginning in high school and retired from there after 41 ½ years.

Tom and Deloris spent many years at Rush Lake even their honeymoon and later built a retirement home they moved to in 1995.  During Tom’s retirement he served on the Rush Lake Improvement Association, Nessel Township Supervisor and Clean Water Initiative.

Tom loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Deloris McKenzie; daughters: Debbie (Wayne) Brokke, Cindy (Ron) Piersdorf; grandchildren: Rachel (Jon) Bigelow, Ryan Piersdorf and Brianna Feddick, Rebecca Piersdorf and Jon Thompson; great-grandchildren: Reese Piersdorf, Rylen Piersdorf, Regan Bigelow; sisters: Rosemarie (Bill) Fleck, Kate Johnson; many special sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents William and Rose McKenzie; in-laws Martin and Margie Orlando; brothers William, Richard, Patrick, Dennis, Lawrence and sister Mary Ann.

Father Chuck Brambilla will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Tom: 11 AM; Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 4-8 PM; Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also one hour prior to the Mass at the church.  The interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis with military honors on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 10:30 AM.  Meet in Assembly Area #4.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel.

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