November 27, 1947 - November 20, 2018
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dennis Colin MacKenzie at Ponoka, Alberta on November 20, 2018.
Dennis "Rug" MacKenzie was born in Drumheller on November 27th, 1947. At a young age Dennis moved with his parents to Ponoka where his sisters Dawn and Heather were born. Dennis was a fan of the stampede at an early age and his interest in the stampede and in sports would stay with him throughout his life. Dennis met the love of his life, Susan Moench in high school. After returning from a transformative year in Europe, Dennis proposed and the two wed on August 26, 1972. The couple had two boys, Jeremy and Zachary.
Dennis had a rewarding career as a social worker with the province of Alberta for a number of years. In 1992, Dennis, Susan and Zachary decided to take a chance and ventured down to Texas to to try the American Dream on for size. It didn't quite fit and after realizing there's no place like home, Dennis and Susan returned to Ponoka a few years later.
Dennis was an avid hockey fan and helped to co-found the Walter Mitty hockey draft and was a long-time member of the Crestomere Clippers. He was also an avid participant in his sons' hockey, coaching and helping to organize tournaments. Dennis was a caring and devoted father and husband. Dennis was also an active participant in the community in which he lived, making friends at the gym where he exercised, at the Ag Centre where he was proud to have worked up until a month before his passing, and at the Royal Canadian Legion where he was a member for the last 40 years. He was a loyal friend always willing to help others in need. Words cannot express what he meant to his family, his friends and his community.
Dennis will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 46 years Susan, his sons Jeremy (Sonia) of Drumheller and Zachary (Eric) of Vancouver; grandchildren Ashley (Kris) of Lacombe and Jesse of Red Deer; great-grandchildren Nicholas and Gabriel; sisters Dawn Parent (Bernie) of Lacombe and Heather Klause (Michael) of Wetaskiwin; brothers-in-law Danny Moench (Laura) of Ponoka and Barry Moench (Sandra) of Calgary; his aunt Jean Jones of Ponoka; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Lloyd and Marge MacKenzie; and his parents-in-law Bill and Muriel Moench.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Dennis' life was held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Ponoka at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.
Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Ponoka and District Health Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Royal Canadian Legion, Ponoka Branch #66.
To express condolences to Dennis' family, please visit
www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted To
PONOKA FUNERAL HOME
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~