George "Skitch" Mackenzie

George W. “Skitch” MacKenzie, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 in Waunakee. He was born at home in Oxford, WI on June 2, 1944, the son of George F. and Norma MacKenzie.  Skitch grew up in Oxford, graduated from Oxford High School where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and football. He then studied at UW River Falls, UW Stevens Point, and UW Eau Claire.

On February 19th, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Nelson. They owned & operated the Oxford Convalescent Home in Oxford until it sold in 1979. Skitch and his family then moved to Madison, WI where he joined ranks with his father working for Wisconsin Health Care Association as Director of Special Projects until 2017.

Tom Moore, longtime Executive Director of WHCA, said of their 30+ years working together, “Skitch was without question, the most recognized, respected, trusted and beloved man in WHCA history.  I and all members of his extensive WHCA family feel the sorrow of his loss and cherish the memory of his extraordinary friendship, humor and service.”

Skitch, with Donna, was inducted to the Edgewood High School Hall of Fame on June 11,1999 for their outstanding dedication to the athletic program. Skitch was also very active in the Oxford Lions Club, Oxford Softball Tournaments, Snowmobile racing, The Badger Classic Basketball Tournament, and many other community events.

Skitch’s #1 focus in life before and after retirement was his family!  He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was always there for his 3 special sons, and 6 awesome grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. His family could always count on him to be in attendance at sporting events, theatre events, music recitals, or anything else that he was able to support them in.  Skitch, a friend recently noted, “You have left a mark and you should be very proud of it—your legacy. ”- Jeff Knatz

He is survived by his wife, Donna L. MacKenzie; sons, George E. “Chip”, Chad (Deb), and Dana; sister, Georgia K. (David) Edge; brother, William L. (Jan) MacKenzie; grandchildren, Hannah (Alex), Jensen, Ellie, Fisher, Kaden, and Zander; great-grandchildren, Oliver and Adelaide; sisters-in-law, Roberta (Tom) Roos and Tricia (Randy) Mitmoen; brother-in-law, Kim Gaffney; nieces & nephews, William (Billy) MacKenzie, Danielle MacKenzie, Savanna Anderson, Max Anderson, Tammy Roos, Todd Roos, Kimberly (Jon) Mast, Katie Bignell, Abbey (Chris) Stenske, Jessica (Dusty) Hermanson, Justin (Laurel) Mitmoen, David (Heather), Jason (Laura), and all of their families, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, George and mother, Norma; his step-father, Bernard Bonnett, and step-mother, Beverly MacKenzie; and sister-in-law, Martha K. Gaffney.

A Memorial service will be held on Wed. Feb. 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St John’s Catholic Church 209 South St Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Wed from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. "Skitch’s Final Tailgate Party" will follow at Rex’s Innkeeper in Waunakee.

The MacKenzie’s would like to sincerely thank Dr. Albert Musa for over 20 years of health care for Skitch. He trusted only “his” Dr. Musa.

Dad, Grandpa, Skitch… you will forever be missed and never forgotten. You were the BEST husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and friend, and we can only hope to fill the void you have left behind. We will cherish the memories! Your legacy will live forever through your sons and grandchildren.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI