Carl Franklin McKenzie was born April 1, 1932 at the farm southwest of Bonesteel, South Dakota to Frank and Rose (Herman) McKenzie. He died peacefully on November 15, 2007 at Fort Meade VA Medical Center at the age of 75 years, 7 months and 15 days.

Carl was raised on the farm near Bonesteel. He attended country schools and went to high school in Burke. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951, serving for eight years. He was stationed at Lowery Air Force Base, Germany and Holland. After his discharge from the service, he was employed by the Atomic Energy Plant, living in Los Alamos, NM, the Aleutian Islands and Las Vegas, NV. During his time in Las Vegas he met many famous celebrities, and always had a few stories to tell.

Carl returned to Herrick, SD in 1980. He served as the Milks Camp Community Councilman and as Chairman for a number of years. He moved to Rapid City in 1990 and remained there until his death. During his years in Rapid, Carl gave everything he could to people he cared about and to the Black Hills community that he loved. He was an active member of the YMCA, and through them he became involved with youth programs. He was a mentor and volunteer for numerous organizations that benefited young people in outreach programs. He served as co-chair for numerous fund raising activities. He helped raise money for the Corner Stone Rescue Mission, the Womens and Childrens Shelter in Rapid City, Boys and Girls of Rapid, and the GERF in Gillette, WY. In his retirement, he worked part-time as a driver with Grey Line Tours, transporting kids from the Air Force Base. He conducted many tours in the Black Hills region with groups from all over the world. He also transported firefighters to the fires in the Black Hills, Colorado and Nebraska.

Carl was a kind and gentle man. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting and roaming the hills. He always considered the Herrick area home and called it Gods Country. He made the best pot of chili soup anyone would ever eat.

Carl is survived by his sisters: Viola Warner of Cheyenne, WY; Bernice Tietgen of Herrick, SD; Neomi Schepp of Cheyenne, WY; Darlene Ellston of St. Libory, NE; and Norma Jean Lucht of Grand Island, NE; many nephews and nieces and his two dear friends John and Jamie Koehler of Rapid City, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ethel Hanson; his brothers Richard, Reuben and Patrick McKenzie.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 23, 2007 at 1:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the All Saints Episcopal Cemetery, rural St. Charles. Friends may greet the family prior to the services on Friday. A second memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Bethel Assembly of God Church,1202 North Maple, Rapid City, SD.

Memorials may be sent to the non-profit organization Faith-Based Solutions, P.O. Box 9702, Rapid City, SD 57709.