Dr. Donald Mac Kenzie

Dr. Donald Anthony Mac Kenzie, 85, passed away at home surrounded by love and family on January 31, 2021. Dr. Don’s intriguingly adventurous life began June 1, 1935, in Boston Massachusetts. He was raised by a fiercely independent, protective, yet extremely loving mother Lillian Hazel. His youth was filled with stories of mischievous adventures and fun, he even went to an all-boys school for a while.

As a teenager/young adult settling down was never part of his plan! In his words “the only thing I knew is I never wanted to work for anyone else” (in remnants of his thick Boston accent).

Over the years he started many successful small businesses a wig of the month club that turned out pretty well, to bluing guns and Mackenzie Tailoring. He spent time traveling the world becoming a connoisseur of some of life’s finer things from beautiful women with Florentine eyes, to convertible Ford Mustangs, black powder rifles, also discovering the one thing that would truly define his life; an insatiable passion for learning.

By late 60s/early 70s, he was in Pennsylvania, and owned a company selling the highest quality suits, living with one of his lifelong best friends, Dr. Richard E. Downes. When they heard rumors that you could become a doctor with only a few tests to get into school, they needed to find out more details! He made phone calls, wrote letters, eventually ended up in Colorado for an intelligence test, scoring the highest results they had ever seen! Determined as ever with his GED in hand he applied, and was accepted to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, graduating in December 1974. He did while working full time at Penney’s selling shoes. Many years later, a close friend and classmate of his Dr. Grandy said while chuckling, “none of us understood how he did it! He would work a full shift, meet us for a late-night game of pool at the tavern, show up the next day for class, get A’s on the tests without ever cracking the books.”

After graduation he was affectionately known as Dr. Don or Doc setting up his first clinic in Montezuma, Iowa, treating patients far and wide including the Kruseman family of Sully, Iowa. He treated Vera & Milo, as well as their girls with healing adjustments, blessed friendships, staying steady and available when devastating tragedy struck their family, leaving their second daughter Joyce widowed with three young children; Jacqueline Kay 14, Jerilyn Sue 12, Jeffery Eugene 9. From friendship, a family began.

He and Joyce married deciding to plant roots in Altoona, Iowa buying and renovating 705 2nd Ave. SW from a small family home, into Altoona Chiropractic Center.

All of the kids, some cousins, and even a few family friends (including Penny who has been with him going on 40 years now) have worked at Altoona Chiropractic Center in some capacity over the years. It was a place for new beginnings and fresh starts, as well as helping foster/start the careers of many young doctors! It was a place of health and healing that many of us knew for well over 35 years.

The summer of 1981 was an eventful year for the family with a booming clinic, one daughter in college, one daughter who had just graduated high school, an almost 16yr old son eager to drive and the birth of their daughter Jennifer Dawn.

He was a deacon and original founder of the Adventure Life Church, where the birth announcement read “be careful of that flu it could last nine months, congratulations!”

A few short years later the marriage ended, but the friendship and family remain intact still today.

He received another blessing just another few short years later when his family grew by one more, he met his Clara Vaught Anderson, his lifelong love & companion! Together they enjoyed swimming (more her & Jen than him on that one), sailing, dancing to big band music, eating Italian food, reading, sharing a love for history and watching movies.

They bought and renovated a home just outside of Altoona where they lived for around 30 years.

Together they had amazing adventures which included family trips, weekend rendezvous reenactments with The Beaver Creek Plainsmen, a black powder rifle club, flying on The Concord, adventures in England, crossing the Atlantic Ocean aboard the QE2 (The Queen Elizabeth 2), attending the Rose Bowl parade, winters in Arizona, sailing/crewing the Maine coast on a tall ship, and recently traveling to Scotland. They even found a pet cat or two that were brought home from their travels.

When not traveling you would likely find Clara curled up with a favorite throw blanket, kitty in lap, book in hand, and him stretched out in his chair with books all around him. They genuinely enjoyed spending time with friends, going out to dinners, game nights, and sailing on Lake Red Rock. Clara was always a trooper standing by his side, going along with whatever his latest learning/health kick adventures had taught him. From juicing, to bagels and bran muffins, to his wild coffee concoctions, she was up for the challenge. Smiling and laughing, you’d hear her say something along the lines of “okay Donald”. She’s played the part of - in her words - taxi/chauffeur for him over the years even when he occasionally wasn’t the most timely passenger.... like after an evening of engaging conversation, laughter, dinner and drinks, you’d hear Clara giggling and finally exclaim, “Donald the cab's leaving.” He’d just smile and reply, “well the boss has spoken,” or he’d say in a hushed tone, “she keeps me on the straight and narrow.” You would hear their continued chuckling and talking right up until that car door shut and they drove away.

The love and joy he found in her was always easy to see.

Dr. Don never stopped pursuing education, becoming one of the first doctors of acupuncture in the United States, holding countless degrees and certifications. If you asked his weekend plans you had a 50-50 shot if you guessed he was at a seminar or a lecture. His greatest passions were his family, healing, and learning.

For many years, Dr. Don was actively involved in social causes and various community activities. This included being an original Charter Member of The East Polk County Rotary Club, many years as a member of the Altoona Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Chiropractic Society, and serving as a volunteer for SEP schools.

Additional milestone achievements included treating well over 100,000 patients making house calls well into his 70s, attending Tai Chi classes with Sifu Jose Mendoza for over 25 years, and sharing what he learned with others, sometimes teaching classes in his parking lot.

A special joy in his life was a love of art. He enjoyed galleries, museums, and classes, becoming an accomplished painter himself with many mediums.

His love and passion for all of those things was only surpassed by his love for his family.

Dr. Don was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Hazel; granddaughter, Katherine; great-granddaughter, Amara; and his lifelong friend, Dr. Richard E. Downes.

He is survived by his lifelong companion, Clara Anderson; daughter, Jennifer (Cole) Weideman; step-children, Jeff (Penny) Van Mannen, Jeri Guessford, and Jaqui (Kevin) Reddy; grandchildren, Jessica, Jaron, Cassidy, Garrett, Jared, John, Mary Kate, Mackenzie-Don A. Mac Kenzie; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW in Altoona. The family will receive visitors Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Fisher House, in loving memory of Dr. Don.

Dr. Don was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on May 27, 1981, served as Master of the King David Lodge #407 in 1999, and was an active 40-year member within his lodge among his fellow brothers. Because of his vast involvement over the years, Dr. Don has requested a Masonic service.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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