I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Gary McKenna this week. There are a number of people who made a big impression on me when I was just getting into the agrimarketing world many years ago and one of them was Gary. I’ve only seen Gary very infrequently in recent years but he was one of the guys who sort of adopted me in my early NAMA meeting years. Other names in that group include Jim Yancey, Dave Schmid, J. Ben Rowe, Dave Aeschliman and certainly others I will always feel indebted to. Gary had a great sense of humor. My sides hurt just thinking about the sessions we would have at a NAMA meeting or some other industry event and the jokes would start flying. Gary was always open to listening to me and answering a million questions I would have. He was always patient with this impatient young dude (then, not now!) who was ready to take over the world but had no idea what he was doing.
Long time NAMA member and friend, Gary McKenna, 63 of Red Wing, Minnesota, died on August 30, 2011 at his residence.
He was born to Fred and Bonnie (Evans) McKenna on February 13, 1948 in Madison, WI. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years as a photographer. Gary attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The majority of his career was focused on marketing and business. He married Jane Davis and they later divorced. Gary married Pat Kvols in 1993. After retirement they moved to Red Wing in 2004 where they owned and operated the Golden Lantern Inn Bed and Breakfast. Gary enjoyed gardening, cooking, sports and spending time with family and friends. A lot of people miss you Gary.
Gary is survived by his wife, Pat; 2 daughters, Erin (Cory) Larse of Somerset, WI, and Alison (J.R.) Klennert of Red Wing; 3 grandchildren, Kyron, Megan and Adam; his mother, Bonnie McKenna of Lodi, WI; 4 brothers, Mike, Bill, Jimi and Tim; 2 sisters, Audrey and Shelly; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Fred; 1 brother, Dan; and 1 brother-in-law, Peter.
Celebration of Life will be 1 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2011 at Easter Lutheran Church (on the hill), 4200 Pilot Knob Rd., Eagan, MN 55122, with Pastor Jim Borgschatz officiating. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.