Edward Muckenhirm, age 85, of Mahnomen, MN, died on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.

Edward Leroy was born October 22, 1930, in Delano, MN, the son of Francis and Carola (Bauman) Muckenhirn. Following his high school graduation, Ed attended college at Ellendale Normal State College, Ellendale, ND, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Education with a major in Industrial Arts in 1952. Ed served in the United States Army from 1953-1954, during the Korean Conflict. In the fall of 1954, following an honorable discharge, Ed began his teaching career in Strasburg, ND, and met the love of his life. On June 16, 1956, Edward was united in marriage to Alice Wickenheiser in Strasburg. The couple lived in Bismarck, ND, where Ed taught Industrial Arts at St. Mary's High School and coached until they moved to Mahnomen in 1958. He furthered his education by earning his Masters of Education at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, in 1959.

In 1992, Ed retired from Mahnomen High School after 38 years of dedicated teaching. During his teaching career, he was the Athletic Director from 1970-1992, Head Boys Basketball Coach for 11 years, Baseball Coach for 2 years and Assistant Football Coach for several years. Throughout his career, Ed taught World History, Industrial Arts, Math and Drivers Education.

Ed was a man of great faith, integrity and honesty with high expectations. He was known to be fair, consistent, always whistling and the owner of a dry sense of humor. Ed was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and School, serving as past president of the school board and Parish Council in addition to the Mahnomen Council Knights of Columbus as a 4 ^th Degree and past Grand Knight. He also held membership with the American Legion Isaacson-Bjorge Post #31 in Mahnomen.

During retirement, Ed enjoyed traveling and keeping up with his grandchildren's activities. He also liked working cross word puzzles, playing cribbage and woodworking. In his younger years, Ed liked camping, fishing, golfing and sports in general. Over the years, he volunteered many hours for different community organizations especially emceeing the annual KC Banquet. He touched many lives and will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice, Mahnomen; children: Karen (Calvin) Priem, Elysian. MN, Paul (Brenda) Detroit Lakes, MN, Mark (Diane) Hutchinson, MN, David (Darla) Osceola, WI, Kenneth (Jennifer) Naperville, IL; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Frank (Marlene) Muckenhirn, Delano, MN, and sister-in-law, Frances Muckenhirn, Fargo, ND; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Gerhard VonBank and a brother, Jerry Muckenhirn.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Michael's School Adopt a Student.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 23, 2015, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN. Visitation was held on Sunday, November 22, 2015, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, with a Prayer Service and KC Rosary beginning at 6:00 pm, also at St. Michael's Catholic Church.