Florence I (Alm) McKenzie

Florence McKenzie, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on December 12th at Osceola Medical Center at the age of 90.

Florence was born in Frederic, WI on January 11, 1931, to Mary and Nels Alm.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Balsam Lutheran Church.  Florence grew up on the family farm near Balsam Lake, WI where she developed her love for animals and nature which she shared with her family, friends, and students over the years.  After graduating from Amery High School in 1949, she attended the Polk County Normal School and later furthered her education at UW River Falls where she received her B.S. in Education.  Florence’s first teaching assignment was in a one-room schoolhouse teaching grades first through eighth.  She would stay up late every night creating lesson plans using a manual typewriter.  Florence loved her many years of teaching especially those at Unity and Taylors Falls.  There she met many wonderful families and enjoyed staying connected with her students for years to come.

On July 30th, 1954, Florence married the love of her life, Steven McKenzie at the Frist Presbyterian church in St. Croix Falls, WI.  While Florence loved being a wife and mother, she lived to be a grandmother.  In retirement, Steve and Florence traveled to Europe to visit her parent’s homeland of Sweden and Finland.  They also bought a motorhome with plans to go south each winter, but it all came to an end once she had grandkids!  She selflessly gave her time to babysit and shared her interests with each of her grandchildren.  Steven enjoyed learning about her Swedish heritage and looking at arrowheads her father collected.  Craig enjoyed her homemade strawberry jam.  Stephanie loved her interest in animals and summer days at Fawn-Doe-Rosa.  Alexus remembers granny’s wild side when she would prop them up on pillows in the Geo Tracker and let them drive around the yard.     

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Maria Alm, brother Edward, sister Eileen and husband Steve. 

She is survived by daughter, Kay (Jeff) Chaussee, sons Chris (Julie) McKenzie and Richard (Carol) Bulman, grandchildren Steven, Stephanie, Craig, Alexus, Justin, great-granddaughter Maisely, and sister Linnea Small Hollowell. 

At Florence’s request, there will be no formal funeral, only a private family gathering.    

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