Florence Genevieve (Madden) Mackey passed away August 7th, 2011 at her home in Dow Rummel Village Retirement Center in Sioux Falls SD. Florence had been in declining health the past several months, especially since the passing of the love of her life and companion of 63 years, her husband John who died on December 13th 2010.

Florence was born on July 14th 1924 in St Louis Park MN and was the youngest child of Arthur and Anastasia Madden. Her brother Thomas , a marine, was killed in action in WWII in the South Pacific and the American Legion Hall in Waldorf Mn is named after him. Florence took pride in and was dedicated to maintaining his memory and our Uncle Tom Madden"s memory continues. Florence's beloved brother John Madden and his wife Irene reside in Brained MN.

When she was 5 years old the Madden family moved back to the family farm just outside of Waldorf Mn.Florence graduated from Waldorf High School in 1942 and at the age of 17 attended St Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester Mn, graduating as an RN in 1945. Her work career included working at the VA and numerous Minneapolis area hospitals and for the Nurses Professional Registry in Minneapolis. Her compassion and generosity of spirit was felt by all who knew her and all who were cared for by her.

Florence married John Mackey in 1947 at St Kevin's Church in Minneapolis. From there they migrated west to Seattle where son Michael was born in 1948. After living in Seattle for several years they returned "home"to Minnesota. and made their home in southwest Minneapolis. Daughter Mary was born in 1953. Florence continued her nursing career along with being very active in her community, her church and with the lives of her children and elderly mother Anastasia Madden and mother-in-law Caroline Mackey.
Florence and John were devoted Catholics and never missed a Sunday Mass. They drew strength from their faith and lived their lives as excellent role models to their many friends and family members.
She and John lived an active retirement, and loved being "snowbirds" and would travel yearly to Tucson AZ,where they developed many strong friendships.

Florence loved antiques and researching her Madden and Linnehan ancestry and traveled 3 times to Ireland doing research.She then published two family ancestory books which we all value. Most of all she loved being with her husband, children and grandchildren and built her life around them.

Florence lead by example being a loving lifelong companion to John and role model to her son Michael, daughter in law JoAnn, daughter Mary, son in law Milt Sigel and grandchildren Thomas, Shawn and Maxwell Mackey and granddaughter Erin Mackey Sigel and her husband Brian Miles.
All who knew her feel her loss but value her continuing spirit.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children; Michael (JoAnn) Mackey,Sioux Falls, SD, their children, Thomas, Shawn and Max Mackey, all of Sioux Falls, Mary (Milt) Sigel, Elizabethtown, NY, and their daughter, Erin Mackey Sigel and her husband Brian Miles, Durham, NC, her brother, John (Irene) Madden, and sister in-law, Irene Maddeen, all of Brainard, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11:00 am, Friday August 19th at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Waldorf, MN, with burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Waseca, MN.