Our History

Our History

Sid and George Holloway owned a blacksmith shop in Balmoral and in 1898 started carrying caskets to satisfy repeated requests from those needing to bury a loved one.

In 1904, Sid got his embalmer’s certificate with Clark Bros. And Hughes in Winnipeg. Thus began Holloway Bros. Undertaking. Sid retired in 1950 at the age of 77, dying November 07, 1957.

Sid’s son-in-law, Alex Mackenzie, had purchased the business in 1950 and founded Mackenzie Funeral Service Ltd., serving as president until his death April 14, 1990 at the age of 78 years.

Alex and wife Vivian had an only child, Ross, who graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1968 with a degree in business administration. It was in 1969 that Ross started working with his father and eventually partnered in the business. He received his professional certificate in 1972 and the community was shattered by his death June 20, 2002 at the age of 55 years.

Vivian, Alex’s wife was also involved in the business, helping answering the phone and doing other related duties. She passed away September 06, 2006 at the age of 93 years.
Dean Crowe, funeral director/embalmer, joined the company as a partner with Ross MacKenzie in 1984, passing away March 16, 2000 at the age of 47 years.

Ross’s wife Lois took over funeral management on his death June 20, 2002. She carried on until her death November 23, 2006 at the age of 60 years.

Shari MacKenzie Meyers, eldest daughter of Ross and Lois started working at the funeral home in 2001 and received her funeral director/embalmer certificate from the Western School of Funeral Service in 2004.

Youngest daughter Roshelle MacKenzie Kresnyak, started working at the funeral home while in high school and began full-time work in 2002. She graduated from the Western School in 2005. She resides with her husband Joe in Balmoral.

MacKenzie Funeral Home was purchased by Eirik and Lisa Bardal in 2011. Eirik is also the owner of Neil Bardal Funeral Centre.
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