Our condolences to Uncle Dick's family.  I remember our families always being closely connected most of our lives.  My Mom wisely picked her brother Dick to name me after.  She was always so proud of him.

The things that come to mind seemed so small at the time, but I never forgot them.  One thing was, Dick had an ice fishing shack on Lake Pepin we could drive our cars out to.  He would let me use it, and on the floor was the linoleum flooring from my bedroom as I was growing up, that had a map of all the states.  To me he had the neatest shack on the ice.

Uncle Dick told me of his duty at Selfridge Army Airfield in WWII.  Years later, we landed at Selfridge in a USAF plane one winter night there to refuel, as we went in for a cup of coffee, I could imagine my Uncle there at the same place decades earlier.  He sure did his duty for his country back then, and I would always be proud of him for his service.

We are not able to travel out of town anymore but he is in our thoughts.

I can just see my Uncle Dick leading a group in singing, what a nice long beautiful life he led.

God Bless Him and Tom, Mike, Patti, Julie and Families

Richard and Martha Campbell

Dear Tom and Family,

I was so sorry to read about your father and grandfather.  I can only imagine what happiness he brought to you and your family.  Not only with the great fishing stories, but the opportunity to fish with him often.  As you look back, you will see what a great influence he was in all of your lives.  Cherish those memories as they are forever yours. 

With sincere sympathy,

Linda Huss

Uncle Dick was a one of a kind.  I have such warm memories.  My love goes out to Tom, Mike, Patti and Julie and their families.  I know how much you will miss him.  

Thoughts and prayer to the entire family. Thank you for letting me assist your father.

In the obituary section of the Wausau Daily Herald this morning I came across the name Richard V. Macken and a picture of someone who looked an awfully lot like someone I have known since the mid 1970's when Tom Macken joined the  Ruder Law Firm in Wausau. Tom and my husband, Byron E. Bronston Jr., continued on working as associates and then as partners until my husband had to retire due to a deteriorating battle with metastasized color cancer in the mid 1990's.  He died 11/22/1999 in Wausau. 

Our relationship with the Mayo Clinic and Rochester, MN. began seven years after his colon surgery in 1985, when the cancer first spread to the liver and such liver surgery was not available at Wausau Hospital.  Four years later the cancer had returned to the liver and also to the lungs and additional surgery became superfluous.  But our relationship continued with the Mayo Clinic through many chemo trials until he entered home hospice 11 months before his death.

We, of course, came to love Rochester, the Mayo Cliinic and our particular oncologists.  The first, with whom he felt an particular affinity, died before Byron, of lung cancer.  While Byron struggled with giving up smoking, he had never realized his doctor had the same addiction.  He was so close to the second, that that doctor, upon learning of Byron's death, wrote me a letter saying what a privilege it had been to be his doctor.  I wonder how many of those are written during any year anywhere. That is just indicative of the many attributes that make the Mayo Clinic the medial mecca that it is.

Of course, Byron learned very early in all this that Tom's family had a funeral home in Rochester.  We even visited it while we were there.  And since cancer is one those things you have to keep a sense of humor about, there was much kidding about where Byron would be buried out of and what kind of special deal we could get through the family.  I'm sue Tom's father was in on much of the joking.

It seems that another era has passed, another link to my husband's life.  I wish Tom and Susan and their extended families and everyone associated with the Macken Funeral Home & Cremation Services my sincerest condolences upon the death of the patriarch Richard V. Macken.

Carolyn H. Bronston

To the entire Dick Macken family:

I am so sorry for your loss.  Dick was one of the kindest men I have ever had the honor of knowing. I learned a lot from him, of patience, kindness, grace, determination, humor, gratefulness.  I will miss him.  My last memory of him is at the end of this past June.  He was sitting out on the deck at the Gardens on a beautiful day.  We had a nice conversation.  I fully expected to see him again.  One of my fondest memories, which I will never forget, is that every time I encountered him in the corridors of the Garden Apartments, I would ask him "How are you, Dick?"  He would always, always respond: "Just wonderful!"  He was a wonderful man.  Enjoyed his singing!  Happy he is with Merth, who I also had the pleasure of knowing.

Laurel Sargent, former nurse at the Garden Apartments

I would like to express my condolences to the entire Dick Macken family. I worked with Dick several years ago. He was always a very funny man and so kind. He will be missed by many.

Dick is one of the kindest men I have ever met.... Was a pleasure to know him and he will always be one of my favorites!

Dear Patti, Julie, Mike and Tom,

You all know - especially Patti - how much both of your parents meant to me.  I just wanted your dad to keep on living - because that was him .... so full of life!!  I felt better - more hopeful - just knowing he was still ALIVE!

I spent lots of time at your house on Keyo Drive, and I was always excited when he came home from work.  When he got out of the car and saw me there, he'd do a little tap dance ending with a twirl and sing "Bridget my own Macushla"....  He always made me feel special.  All of the Bergans were so excited when he would burst through the door on Christmas Eve in his Santa outfit (the young ones TERRIFED of his mask!).  By the way, the little silver Santa he and your mom gave MY parents on their 25th anniversary is one of my most treasured possessions.  I loved his enthusiasm for everything.... from his Model T to golf to a roast pig....and especially to his family, his friends, and his neighbors.

I especially admired his devotion to our Catholic Faith, and consider him one of my role models when I feel weak.  Gotta keep rattling my beads!

Love you all...praying for you all...

Bridget 

Greatest walleye fisherman ever

Uncle Dick was a great influence on my life when I was growing up in Minnesota.  He was an awesome uncle to all the nieces and nephews. Many, many fond and funny memories.

My condolences to Tommy, Mike, Patty, Julie, and all the grandchildren.

Love you, Uncle Dick.

Sheila 

Uncle Dick was a great man and everyone has their own fond memories of Dick.  We all experienced his great sense of humor.  So many family reunions would not have been as much fun without him there.  I remember one time when Derek was a little boy, Derek colored a picture for Uncle Dick and Dick took it graciously and made a funny and wonderful remark to Derek to make him feel like he did something so great!!  I will always remember that BIG smile on Derek's face.  What a WONDERFUL man.  He lived a long and beautiful life, however still difficult to let him go and say good-bye one last time.  Our deepest condolences to his family.  

Much love to all of you.  Pat and Kelly Campbell

Uncle Dick brought so much love and laughter to all of us. He was a wonderful human being. My love and prayers go out to my cousins: Tommy, Mike, Patty, Julie and their families. We all have so many happy memories of times spent together growing up. God bless you.

Love, Susie

Our deepest sympathies from Iowa.  I always loved talking to Uncle Dick!  Thank god for the men's fishing trip. If it wasn't for him and his brothers and Grandpa George, I would never have met so many of my great cousins.  

I predict a toast in the Narrows in honor of a great man!

Sorry for your loss everyone.  He will be missed but his memories will last forever. 

Matt, Stacey, Ryan, Luke, And Evan Campbell