Harold Michael Macken, 78, of Rochester, passed away on October 24, 2018 of natural causes at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Mick was born on January 4, 1940 in Rochester to Harold and Janice (Pinkham) Macken, the oldest of three children. Mick married Carole Fenske in 1961. They were later divorced. In 1995, Mick married Starr Sawyer Darst on St. Patrick's day in Stewartville, MN. Mick graduated from Rochester High School in 1958.

He was a plumber by trade for over 40 years. No one could dig a finer trench! He loved his job and took great pride in his work. Every year there were great treasured treks to Canada to fish and hunt at the cabins with friends and family. Many wonderful memories were made there. Mick loved to hunt raccoon, deer, and many other animals. He had a great love for his hounds. As he grew older, the thrill of the hunt became more important than taking game for Mick. Most of all, he enjoyed raising homing pigeons. Mick and his best friend Gene Schueller walked the road daily for years, solving the world's problems. Family meant more than anything. Watching grandchildren grow to become wonderful adults while trying to give advice on how to be a good person and do the right things in life was his passion. Great-grandchildren were a joy. When he was gruff, Madison would say "Grandpa, do you need a hug?" Memories include granddaughter, Taylor baking goodies and Sydney taking orders from him. He enjoyed hunting with grandsons, Joe and Michael and watching Emily, Brian and Sam play sports. He was very proud of his children. His most memorable saying was "Ya…got a minute… let me tell you a story". And leave a story he did. He was a dear sweet man and we'll all miss and remember Mick Macken.

He is survived by his wife, Starr of Rochester; his children, Michael (Becky) Macken, Molly (Mark) Williamson, and Martha (Brian) Elliott all of Rochester; his step-children, Paige Kenney of Rochester, Melody (Mitchell) Johnson of Kansas, and Sam (Sherri) Darst of Rochester; his brother, Pat (Sharon) Macken of Rochester; his nephew, Jason (Heather) Sawyer of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Mike (Shannon), Emily and Brian Williamson, Samantha and Joe Macken, Sydney and Taylor Elliott, Ashley (Eric) Nierman, Amber Pritchett, Chelsea and Charity Darst, and Georgie Johnson; and two great-granddaughters, Madison and Willow Nierman.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Susan Starkson.

The memorial service for Mick will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held starting at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the family.