Memorial services for Archie Mackay, Jr., 84, of Alta, will be Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 1:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church in Alta, with Pastor Craig Lee officiating.
Immediately following the memorial service there will be Masonic and Eastern Star services at the church before inurnment at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Alta. There will be no visitation. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements. A memorial fund has been established.
Archibald John George Mackay, Jr., was born November 12, 1927, in LeMars, Iowa, the son of Archibald and Janet (McGhie) Mackay, Sr. He graduated from the Aurelia High School in 1945. He then joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in November of 1946. After his discharge Archie served as an Iowa Highway Patrolman in Atlantic, Iowa. On August 26, 1951, Archie married Janice Lee Fulks at the Presbyterian Church in Atlantic. They made their home in Atlantic until the spring of 1955 when they moved to Archie’s family farm at Aurelia. After Archie retired from farming he was employed at the First Coop Association, and later by Ag Partners, both in Alta.
Archie was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Alta, Pomegranate Lodge #408 of Alta, Speculative Lodge # 307 of Cherokee, and OES #138 of Alta.
He enjoyed playing his bagpipes at every opportunity. For twenty five years he piped in the freshmen in the fall, and the seniors out at graduation at Buena Vista University. He enjoyed singing, dancing, traveling, helping out neighbors on the farm and calling on Brothers in sickness and distress.
Archie died Monday, April 16, 2012, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, IA.
Preceding Archie in death were his parents, wife Janice on November 21, 2008, two sons, Iain in infancy and David Mackay, and one granddaughter, Angel Marie Mackay.
Survivors include four daughters, Bonnie and her husband Roy Beukelman of Storm Lake, Lori and her husband Clayton Diischer of Alta, Tami and her husband James Douglas of Pewakee, WI, and Robin Meyer of Algona, one daughter-in-law, Annette Mackay of Fort Dodge, twelve grandchildren, Archie Mackay, Iain Mackay, Alex Mackay, Emily Beukelman, Travis Diischer and his fiancée Stacey Noll, Ryan and his wife Allison Diischer, Kyle and his wife Kelly Diischer, Corey and his wife Holly Diischer, Shannon Douglas, Samantha Douglas, Gavin Meyer, and Tatum Meyer, and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Robert and his wife Margaret Mackay of Bridgewater, VA, and James and his wife Anita Mackay of Manitoba, Canada, one aunt, Ruthie Pfeil of Sioux City, many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.