Obituary of Dale Elden McKenzie

Dale Elden McKenzie (93) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away on March 30, 2020. He was born to Ivan and Minnie McKenzie on January 14, 1927 in Bellingham, WA. Dale lived most of his early years in Oregon and graduated 8th grade in Prineville, Oregon where he met his future wife and worked along with his father at the lumber mill in Prineville, OR. Dale met Joy Howard while attending church in Prineville. The couple married on December 30, 1948. Over the years, Dale has held various jobs to support his family, but ranching was a big part of Dale’s life. While working on the Elmo Warren ranch he also cut trails for the Forest Service serving in WA, NV, NC, SC, and LA. Dale’s horses were his passion, and he would drive, ride, and pack them. He will be remembered as a loving man who always had to be busy. At the age of 65, he retired and joined the Mission Church Builders. This gave him the opportunity to volunteer and travel around building churches and schools. Dale fully retired at the age of 80 from working on his daughter Sharri’s cattle ranch in Colorado. In his retirement, Dale replaced his horse with a bicycle and eventually a tricycle. He zoomed around town on his bike and loved visiting with people when he was out on his ventures. Dale also loved being outdoors, specifically the Bennington Lake area near Walla Walla, WA. He was always hiking around and couldn’t wait to see what was on the other side of the mountain. Dale is survived by his children Shirley (Jesse) James of St. Maries, ID, Sharlene (Wesley) Miller of Walla Walla, WA, Sharri (Jesse) Smith of Pritchett, CO, and Elden McKenzie of Payson, AZ; siblings Roy (Maggi) McKenzie of Washtucna, WA, Linda Jones of Davenport, WA, and Don McKenzie of Prineville, OR; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by his extended family. .