Stephen T. Macke 1943-2023

MACKE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/15/2024 at 23:37:11

Stephen Thomas Macke
(January 6, 1943 - February 3, 2023)

Stephen Thomas Macke of Lake City, Iowa passed away just 28 days after his 80th birthday at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake City from 4-7 pm on Thursday, February 9th with a vigil service at 7pm. Per Steve’s request, a private family service and graveside service will be held on February 10th (Steve and Carol’s 59th wedding anniversary). Burial will be in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Lake City and he will finally be with Carol. Steve, also known as Stogie, was born on January 6, 1943, in Santa Ana, California to Louie and Bette Macke. He was raised in Carroll with his 3 siblings (Gus, Susan, and Pete). Steve graduated from Kuemper in 1961 and married Carol Rita Beyerink on February 10, 1964. They celebrated almost 58 years of marriage together. They raised 5 boys (Tony, Fred, Marc, Sam, and Tom) and countless dogs-Sydnie, Buddy, Dutch, and Jake to name a few. The family enjoyed their horses, snowmobiles, and all the memories made with the cousins. Anyone who knew Steve at all knew that he loved to fish. He spent hours tying fish lures, fishing off his boat, and from inside his ice house. Steve also loved to duck and goose hunt and was a founding member of the Honk and Quack in Modale, IA. Steve, Gus, and the boys also pheasant hunted. He was one of the original three that started our Calhoun County Pheasants Forever Chapter and planted thousands of trees for conservation. He was actually able to participate in his last pheasant hunt on Jan 7, 2023. While most hunters have a hunting dog, it’s been said that Steve had his pet owl, Herky, along on some hunts. Steve knew how to play hard but also how to work hard. He was a founding member of the Lake City Country Club. He started Macke Motors in 1968 in downtown Lake City. He sold cars, insurance, and Ice Castle fish houses. Well, let’s face the facts, Steve could sell just about anything to anyone. He retired from Mac’s Shacks in 2021 to care for his wife and move back to Lake City.
Steve could no longer be in his ice house, in his boat, or on his dock, so the lakes in Heaven called him home on February 3, 2023. Steve is survived by his sons: Tony (Jenni) of Lake City, Fred (Stephanie) of Maple River, Marc (Laura) of Corcoran, Minnesota, Sam (Wendy) of Ankeny, and Tom (Katie) of Walker, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren: Tiffany (Derek) Blair, Nicole (Jason) Bixenstine, Tanner (Kendra), Zach, Nick, Joe, Kate, Kylee, Cade, Matilda, and Wenonah; 5 great-grandchildren: Camdyn, Tatum, Elodie, Colt, and Vaeda; brother Gus (Nancy) Macke and sister Susan Schweppe; his pet of 62 years (Herky) and other close relatives. Steve was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, his brother Pete Macke, and his nephews: Michael, Jason, and Robbie Macke. Plant a tree and the next time you’re fishing, cast a line and grab a cigar for Stogie.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to the family. Copyright Lampe & Powers Funeral Home, (712) 464-7665, https://www.powersfh.net