Alfreda May McKenzie

Alfreda May McKenzie

Born: Thu., Dec. 9, 1954

Died: Mon., Feb. 13, 2017

Visitation

7:00 PM Sun., Feb. 19, 2017

Location: Bena Community Center

Traditional American Indian Service

11:00 AM Mon., Feb. 20, 2017

Location: Bena Community Center

Alfreda May (Lewis) McKenzie, 62 years, of Bemidji passed away on Monday, February 13, 2017 at her home.  Alfreda was born in Bemidji, MN on December 9, 1954.

She was raised in the Red Lake Area and eventually moved to Minneapolis.  She spent all of her adult life there until moving to Bemidji 10 years ago.  Alfreda and Maynard enjoyed each others company for the past 26 years.  They lived a very quiet and private life together and were inseparable.  Alfreda recognized her American Indian heritage and was very proud of it.  She was a good mother and grandmother.  Her children all visited her regularly and she cherished her time with her grand babies.  Alfreda helped to raise her grandson Elin McKenzie over the last few years.  When she and Sophia got together, they liked to give each other "heck".  She will be missed by all who knew her.  

The family that Alfreda meets again are her parents.

Family that she leaves behind are her sons; John (Alma) McKenzie, Jr. of Rosebud, SD, Nathan and Nigel Butcher of Onigum, Charlie Cree of Turtle Mountain and Leonard Jr. and Lance Cree of AZ, daughters; Rita McKenzie of Chicago, IL and Alfreda Cree of AZ, significant other of 26 years; Maynard Jenkins of Bemidji, sister; Frieda Youngquist of Red Lake, 14 grandchildren, one great grandchild, many other relatives and friends.

An overnight wake will begin at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 19th and continue until her 11:00 a.m. traditional service on Monday, February 20th all being held at the Bena Community Center in Bena MN.  Nathan Jenkins will be her Spiritual Leader.  Pallbearers for Alfreda will be John McKenzie, Jr., Nathan Butcher, Nigel Butcher and Elin McKenzie.  Her honorary pallbearers are all of her children, Maynard Jenkins and Julie Iceman.  Interment will be in the George Johnson Memorial Cemetery at Deer River following her Monday service.

Alfreda's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com