Don Mackey

Donald Mackey, age 74, of St. James, Minnesota died on May 24, 2023, at his home. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel and will continue Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 at First Lutheran Church in St. James. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in St. James. The clergy will be Rev. Andy Hermodson-Olsen. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in St. James. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James, Minnesota.

Donald James Anthony Mackey, the son of Bernard and Gwynieth (Squibb) Mackey, was born on August 26, 1948, in Carroll, Iowa. He attended school and graduated from Grundy Center High School. On August 27, 2005, Don married the love of his life, Marni Johnson. He spent his working years as an insurance agent.

Don served as a city councilman for 27 years. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. He was a member of the Eagles Aeries, the gambling manager for the Eagles for 35 years, and a member of the Sons of the Legionnaires. Don’s passion was the outdoors and hunting. He hunted deer, pheasant, turkey, duck, and dove in the following states: MN, IA, SD, and WY. He shared his passion for the outdoors and hunting with his daughter, Hanna. His wife, Marni tagged along just to irritate them but one year she was the only one to tag a deer and bag a turkey. He enjoyed teaching youth gun safety. Don was a licensed instructor through the NRA for the conceal and carry gun permits. Don loved reading, watching dinosaur movies, putting puzzles together, and taking Hendrix out for rides to look for deer, Turkey, and pheasants. Don absolutely loved being Hendrix’s Papa and Hendrix was Papa’s #1 Best Friend.

Don is survived by his wife, Marni Mackey; daughter, Hanna Mackey (fiancé Jordan Priester); grandson, Hendrix Priester; sisters, Connie (Tom) Posch, Jeanie Johnson, and Deb (Tom) Isle; brother, Curt (Corrine) Mackey; mother-in-law, Elaine Anderson (Harry Schultz); sisters-in-law, Melissa Mackey and Molli (Brett) Curry; brother-in-law, Mike (Brenda) Johnson; special friends, Erica Geiger, Callie Radenbaugh, and Nora Geiger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, BJ and Gwynieth Mackey; brother, David Mackey; father-in-law, Verle Johnson; along with many special hunting buddies and four-legged best friends.