Mackey, Milford 'Miff'

Milford “Miff” Mackey, 83, of Guttenberg, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at the Guttenberg Care Center.

He was born Jan. 3, 1930, in Boone, Iowa, to Clark and Alma (Manny) Mackey. Miff received his education from the Stanhope School, where he graduated with the class of 1948. After graduation, Miff furthered his education in meat cutting/ butchers training, beef selector training, then he went to field representative training for Super Valu stores. On March 29, 1952, Miff was united in marriage to Margaret Kilbourn at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines.

From 1968 to 1988, Miff owned and operated Mackey's Super Valu in Guttenberg. While running the store Miff also pursued his love for farming in the rural Guttenberg area.

When he wasn't working, Miff enjoyed boating, fishing, playing pool, cards and collecting coins. For 20 years, Miff was a member of the National Guard with the 554th Field Artillery Battalion as a Battery Commander.

Miff is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret; four children, Mary (Stephen) Willett of Guttenberg, Iowa and Phillips, Wis., David Mackey of St. Paul, Minn., Donald (Carole) Mackey of Spokane, Wash., and Dale Mackey of Scarborough, Maine; grandchildren, Nicole Moser of Madison, Megan (Jeff) Eisel of Dubuque, Philip and Paul Mackey of Scarborough, Maine, Erika Willett (Scott McLaughlin), Bryce (April) Willett, Fran (Melissa) Moser, Jody (Joe) May; great-grandchildren, Estella Rose Eisel, Sophia Diane Willett, Logan McLaughlin, Jacqueline, Dean and Francesca Moser, Cabot and James May; brother, Eugene Mackey of Boone; nieces and nephews, Judy Salier, Jimmy (Jean) Toillion, John (Diane) Toillion, Jane (J.R.) Brown, Gary (Pat) Mackey, LaDonna (Dave) Osborn and Dan Mackey.

Miff was preceded in death by his parents; aunt, Margaret Mackey; uncle, Jim Mackey; and in-laws, the Rev Albert (Jessie) Kilbourn, Donna Mackey, Jim and Alberta Toillion, Bill (Mary Lou) Perrenoud and Dorothy Kilbourn.

Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 207 S. First St., Guttenberg, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Penny Hansel officiating. Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery, rural Osterdock.

In lieu of flowers and all styles of sympathy, memorials should be sent to “The WAVE of the Future” fundraising campaign for the Guttenberg Swimming Pool.

Condolences may be left and a video tribute may be viewed at www.tueckeallyn.com.

Published Jan. 4, 2014 in The Gazette