Gary McKenzie

Gary E. McKenzie of Leonardville, formerly of Manhattan, died at Ascension Via Christi Hospital on December 19, 2025, surrounded by his family. Gary was born February 3, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa to Malcolm E. McKenzie and Alice R. Hamilton McKenzie. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and was a horticulture major at Iowa State University before being inducted into the U.S. Navy. Gary attended submarine school in Connecticut and served on a submarine tender in Scotland. Like his father, Gary was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy Gary managed Earl May Garden Centers in Des Moines and Waterloo, Iowa. After some time working in Minnesota and Indiana, he moved to Manhattan, Kansas where he owned and operated G.E.M. Yard and Lawn Care for over 30 years. He was an officer in local and state Day Lily clubs where he made many close friends, among them, Bobbie and David Kromm, who became like family to him.

For the last ten years Gary was a resident of Leonardville Nursing Home (LNH) where he was able to continue working with plants on their beautiful patios. He would spend entire days outdoors. Gary loved exotic and unusual plants in addition to day lilies and coleus. Several years he "wintered over" some of his plants at local high school greenhouses. He shared his knowledge and books about plants with some of the students. Over the years many of his plants won ribbons and prizes at local fairs. Gary was on the garden committee and other committees at LNH. He wore a tie dye shirt to call Bingo every Friday afternoon. Gary played cards, did jigsaw puzzles, and loved visits with friends, the staff, and the friends and families of many of the elder residents. He was very proud of his niece and nephew and loved all the video chats and visits to New England.

Gary was able to hear from good friends, Dick and Trudy Feddersen in CT and Kristy and the boys in MA while at Via Christi. Bobbi Kromm and several staff from LNH visited him during his short time in ICU. Joyce, Paul, Julie, and John held his hands and sang to him during his final moments. We thank the nurses and doctors of the ICU for their skill and care.

Gary is survived by his sister, Joyce M. Christianson and his brother-in-law, Paul of Vernon, CT, his nephew, John Christianson, (Kristy Moore,) of Newton, MA, his niece, Julie Christianson of Hartford, CT, and his great nephews, Isak (17) and Jordan (12) Moore Christianson of Newton, MA.

The family feels blessed that Gary was in good hands while living at Leonardville Nursing Home and would like any Memorials directed to the LNH Garden Fund. Leonardville Nursing Home, PO Box 148, Leonardville, KS 66449.