Dick Macke

Richard Lee Macke passed away on February 11, 2026, in his home surrounded by family. Richard Lee Macke was born on August 21, 1949, to Edgar and Pauline (Boyer) Macke in Mullen, Nebraska. Known to most as Dick, he grew up in Mullen and graduated from Mullen Public Schools in 1967.

Dick attended Doane College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. After college, he returned to the Sandhills to help his family by running the grocery store in Whitman.

Dick met the love of his life, Jo Crouse, at Hyannis Catholic Mass. They were married on December 9, 1972, at All Saints Catholic Church in Hyannis, Nebraska. Together, they purchased the grocery store in Whitman from Edgar. After the Mullen store burned down, Dick and Bob bought a building and reopened the business that we all know and love as Macke’s Grocery, continuing a family legacy of service. Eventually, Dick and Jo made Mullen their home where they raised their four children: Adam, Paula, Jared, and Joseph.

Dick was deeply involved in the Mullen community. He served on the village board, was active in the Mullen Golf Club, Commercial Club, and Community Foundation. He dedicated countless hours as a Little League baseball coach and town team fast-pitch softball player. He also served as a volunteer fireman and drove the ambulance for many years, always willing to step up when his neighbors needed him.

At the store, Dick was happiest focusing on the work he loved while Paula took over the bookwork, much to his relief. He took pride in the family business and the role it played in the daily life of the community.

Dick loved his home in Mullen, and he also loved to travel with his wife, Jo. Together they shared many memorable vacations, including special one-on-one trips with each of their children. Exploring new places and experiences was a true passion for them. From beaches to mountains, they embraced many different destinations with some of their most cherished trips being those spent with their grandchildren in Idaho.

Above all, Dick loved his family. He greatly enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and had the special joy of seeing some great-grandchildren begin their lives as well.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jo Macke; his children, Adam (Tara) Macke of Lewiston, Idaho; Paula Rice of Mullen; Jared (Teresa) Macke of Lyman, Nebraska; and Joseph (Sandy) Macke of Lewiston, Idaho. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tristan, Dylan, Addison, Isaac, Mason, Lauren, Amber, Claire, Riley Rice, Morgan Spurlin (Hunter), Courtney Rice, and Ella Rice; and his great-grandchildren, William and Harrison Spurlin; and Blake and Parker Rice.

Additional survivors include his sisters Marg (Gary) Little of Kearney, Nebraska and Joane Rogers of Kearney, Nebraska; his sister-in-law Shirley Macke of Mullen; and sisters-in-law Rosemary Weber of Peoria and Georgann (Larry) French of Mullen.

Preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Pauline Macke; his sister, Teresa Fitzgerald; his brother, Kenneth Macke; and his brothers-in-law Bob Rogers, Hugo Weber, and John Crouse.

Dick’s Family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the community. There are many benefits to living in a small town, and one of those is the numerous helping hands. Thank you to the people who brought food and company to the family. Thank you to Cindy Daly and Dawn Mallory with Mullen Care Connect who walked through this with us. Thank you to everyone who stopped in to help take care of Dick in his time of need.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM Mountain Time at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen, NE. Burial will follow in the Cedarview Cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to the local Mullen Care Connect, Hooker County Fire Department, Mullen Ambulance Service, and the Bronco Booster. A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, February 19th, at 7:00 PM Mountain Time at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to the local Mullen Care Connect, 

Hooker County Fire Department, Mullen Ambulance Service, and the Bronco Booster.