Lois Esther Mackensen

Lois Esther Mackensen, 88, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at the Red Wing Health Center where she had resided for the past few years. She was born on February 20, 1922 in Akron, Ohio to Walter and Florence (Eckert) Harnack. She was baptized at her home and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church. She attended public schools and business college in Akron and worked a few years in the office for a trucking company. She then entered Concordia Teachers College near Chicago. She was married on January 27, 1945, to Robert Warren Mackensen at Concordia Lutheran Church in Akron. Robert was a pastor and for the next 44 years they lived in Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado and North Carolina serving congregations in those states. In 1963 they moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Lois soon became a volunteer teacher's assistance at Messiah School. From June of 1967 to 1974 they lived in Red Wing where Robert served as pastor at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church. They later moved to North Carolina until retiring in 1989 when they moved back to Red Wing. She later helped at Our Redeemer's and Sunnyside schools in Red Wing. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school, reading, writing, sewing, organizing things and corresponding with a sizable assortment of friends and relatives. She also enjoyed, after their retirement that Robert and she could sit in the pew together on Sundays. Occasionally she would play the organ. She also volunteered for many organizations in Red Wing.
Survivors include her husband, Robert of 65 years; four children, Ruth (David) Amundson of Westby, Wis., Laura Gutzman of Cleburn, Tex., Sarah (Gordon) Schmidt of Gaylord, Minn. and Norman (Gail) Mackensen of Franklin, Wis.; nine grandchildren; several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Buddy Gutzman; one sister, Ruth Smith and three brothers, Russell, George and Arthur.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church with Rev. Paul Gurgel officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to Faith in Action, TODAY magazine or Red Wing Health Center. Online condolences can be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com