LaVerne "Mac" E. McKown

Ervin LaVerne Arthur 'Mac' McKown, age 79, of Fremont
Died Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha

Mac was born on August 25th, 1943 to Ervin and Eldora McKown at Creighton Nebraska Hospital. He was raised in Plainview, Nebraska and at an early age started helping his Dad with his carpenter business; he also built grave warmers for money. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1961 and entered the workforce. He went by LaVerne until college when he became ''Mac.'' In 1964, he enrolled at the local Norfolk Junior College, later graduating in 1966. He worked to get himself through college at the Norfolk State Hospital, taking care of patients during the night shift while fitting in some studying. He continued his education at Wayne State College, earning his Bachelor's degree in English and Speech in 1967 and later, a Masters Degree in Education in 1973. Ultimately, Mac's academic journey continued when he earned his Specialists degree in 1986 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. After graduating with his bachelor's degree, he accepted a position teaching English at Norfolk High School and coaching basketball, track, and cross country.

Mac married Sharon Schlecht in August 1964, having 2 children - Sean and Leslie. He later moved to Arlington to teach and coach, later becoming the Athletic Director and Elementary school Principal. He married Kathleen Karel in July 1976 to which 2 additional children were born - Nathan and Megan. Later, Mac loved to travel to see Nate and Megan play high school and college sports.

Mac retired from Arlington Public Schools in 1998 and moved to Corning, Iowa after accepting the offer to be Superintendent of Prescott Community School District. He had to drive back and forth to Fremont on the weekends to spend time with Cindy Schwanke Gilfry, and after 13 years of courtship, they would finally marry in June 2010.

In September 2001 Mac became very ill and after ''too many to count'' hospital stays, he was sent to Rochester, Minnesota to the Mayo Clinic. They diagnosed him with Wegener's Granulomatosis and they expected he would succumb to the disease. Cindy stayed by his side for over a month to make sure he would fight the good fight! He went through plasmapheresis 6 times and daily dialysis. He was put on a ventilator and after a long duration, endured a tracheotomy; against all odds, HE SURVIVED!! They came home to Fremont to recover and get back to ''Truly'' living and then he returned to work in Iowa! He remained a research patient at Mayo and was on many trials, which ultimately led to a change in how the Wegener's disease would be treated going forward, thereby giving people with the disease a better chance to live. Until his death, he was the longest living person with Wegener's Granulomatosis and he always made the best out of his predicament.

Mac always thought the world of his grandchildren and none of them ever disappointed him! In fact, they amazed him!! From Ashlynne McKown, to Olivia and Tyler Fortin, to Angel Baby Alexander Fortin (whose already in heaven and we know they're together now!) to River and Finley McKown and the youngest, Milovat Ware. While spending 25 years with Cindy, the love of his life and soulmate, he added 2 step-sons Jeremy and Jon Gilfry to his family, thereby adding more amazing grandchildren: Joe, Jackson, Emerson, Lillian, Addie and Lidia Gilfry. He always felt so truly Blessed!

Mac loved to golf - he had 2 Hole-in-Ones! He also loved to read - he could read 10 books in a week or a book per flight, depending on your preferred measurement. In his younger days, he was an ''ear-to-the-water'' slalom water skier. He loved horse racing, choosing to verbally ''Let It Ride'' when he was in the 'zone'. He loved his Jameson Irish Whiskey and traveling. He and Cindy went to 10 different baseball stadiums, but the obvious favorite was Yankee Stadium in New York City, which they went to several times. He loved to wake up in the city that never sleeps. They traveled from Maine to Key West and Seattle to Mexico. Coastal Highway 1 was likely Mac's favorite. In addition to the Yankees, rock music including the bands The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Bonamassa, and Michael Charles comprised the soundtrack of his life. Mac was a perennial attendant of the State High School Basketball Tournaments and State Track meet, rarely missing them. His favorite local stop was Dave's Drive-Thru Liquor Store & Book Collection. With it being 'open air' he could get books during the pandemic without worrying about germs while on lockdown protection.

Exemplifying comradery, Mac co-founded the monthly ''Board Meeting'' that would meet on Friday's around 4pm. It consisted of a nice group of teachers, coaches, spouses, and other fun people. Mac's kids remember going to the Holiday Lodge and having their table with pop while Donahue played on the big screen. The ''board members'' gathered with adult drinks and popcorn at the huge round table. The underground club is still in existence today, kept going by those ''all around'' good people.

Mac was called to his heavenly home where we know he has a bottomless glass of whiskey and coke, as well as an endless supply of putters to throw at his golf cart or a nearby tree. He no longer has to put up with any ''malarkey'' or ''hoodlums'' - two words at the cornerstone of his daily vocabulary.

Survivors:
Wife - Cindy of Fremont
Children - Sean McKown of Omaha and his daughter Ashlynne
Nate (Ashley) McKown and their daughters, River and Finley
Leslie (Nick) Fortin of Bennington and their children, Olivia and Tyler
Megan (Gary) Ware of Louisville and their daughter, Milovat
Sister - Pam McKown of Alaska
Brother - Ken McKown of Norfolk
Brother-in-law - Alan Wiegard of Norfolk
Step-sons - Jeremy (Jamie) Gilfry of Winter Garden, FL. and their children
Joey(Lanie), Jackson, Lillian and Lidia
Jon (Dawn) Gilfry of Fremont and their daughters Emerson and Addie
Faithful English Cream Golden Retrievers - Barley and Halley

Mac was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Eldora, grandson Alexander Fortin, brother Rollie, and his sisters Patricia Frahm and Laine Wiegard.

Mac also wanted his forever faithful dogs mentioned: J.D., Zeus and Samson, Shelby, Kraemer, Bailey, Riley, Barley, and Halley (like the comet). He always said the love of his life, besides Cindy, were his dogs at his side! One of his only regrets was not getting to Ireland (despite overstating his Irish heritage often), even when the Huskers played, but after Cindy said ''How would I drag you around the hills of Ireland?'' or ''Carry you home in a box?'' he learned to go without.

The funeral will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church; burial will follow at Ridge Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Arlington Education Foundation. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm, with the family present from 5pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com




To watch live please use the following link through the church's website:

https://boxcast.tv/view/mac-mckown-funeral-rxmbiln6h0vy03x2c0ao

Obituary Provided By:

1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
www.ludvigsenmortuary.com