GLADYS H. McKENZIE

Gladys H. McKenzie, 88, a 9-year resident of Wasilla, died peacefully in her sleep at A Helping Hand Assisted Living home on May 14, 2003. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 4 p.m. at St John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood in Palmer, with the Rev. Jonathan Rocky officiating. Burial of her ashes will be at a later date in Green Bay, Wis.

Mrs. McKenzie was born June 28, 1914, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada to the late Albin S. and Dagny (Hansen) Sivertson. She married Ewart R. "Tom" McKenzie Aug. 19, 1939, and they established their home in Green Bay.

Following the death of her husband in March 1946, she moved to Los Angeles, Calif., with her children. She worked for 31 years as secretary and office manager for the California District Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

She was an artist as a seamstress, sewing and tailoring clothing for her children. She also enjoyed painting Norwegian folk-art motifs. She gently shared her Christian faith in word and deed with her children, friends and colleagues. She was an Associate in Ministry in the Lutheran Church.

Mrs. McKenzie took great joy in her seven grandchildren, but dementia prevented her from knowing her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and an infant son, Thomas Mardall McKenzie. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Rick Dwight of Palmer; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Gerd McKenzie of Bodo, Norway, and Thomas and Nancy McKenzie of Temecula, Calif.; her brother Hardy Mardall of Beverly Hills, Mich.; grandchildren Kirsten, Kari, Glen, Solveig, Jennifer, Loriane and Ryan; great-grandchildren Anna, Nathaniel, Simon, Hunter, Mason and Hayden; many cousins in the United States and Norway, and a host of dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 774, Palmer AK 99645.