Louis ‘Lou’ Ray Maccini

With heavy hearts, we would like to announce the passing of a kind, humble, giant of a man, Louis (Lou) Ray Maccini, Sr. on September 9th, 2023.
Louis was born on March 14, 1933 in Framingham, Massachusetts. Upon graduating from high school, Louis served in the U.S. Airforce during the Korean War, honorably discharged in 1954.
Lou spent his professional life in the trucking industry, setting and managing tariffs. He worked for Boeing, International Transport and Schneider National.
In 1954 Lou married Reta J. Struck, and they settled eventually in Rochester, MN. They had three children; Louis Jr., Pamela, and Mark. Reta proceeded him in death in 1975.
Lou met Alta Mae Swanberg in 1976, falling in love with the twinkle in her eye, quick wit and ability to follow his lead gracefully on the dance floor. They married in 1978. Alta brought three sons, Daniel, Timothy and Jeffery, with her and the family doubled in size! Alta and Lou were soul mates. Their gentle and tender love for one another was manifested even the minutia of everyday life and set an example to their children on what a marriage should be. They had an uncanny ability to blend the two families together, where all the siblings felt equally loved by them and they loved one another.
Lou had strong Christian faith and loved his church community. It was most notably evident when he sang beloved hymns. He had a beautiful voice. With a Boston accent, he could never quiet shake, a full head of snowy hair and always dressed smartly, he left a memorable impression on all he met. Lou enjoyed having a remodel project, putzing in the garage and mowing the lawn. He had a keen interest in history and sports, and, much to our chagrin would root for the Green Bay Packers. He would also blushingly admit that HGTV was not too bad either. He really enjoyed playing his favorite card game, 500, and never let youth or inexperience of those he played against get in the way of his desire to crush his opponent. He possessed a very sharp mind. For reasons unknown, as family would gather around the table to play games such as Trivia Pursuit, he would never sit down and join one of the teams. Instead he preferred to linger in the background, nonchalantly popping off answers to question after question.
Family. Nothing could rival his love for his family, immediate and extended, and the joy he found in their presence. Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children loved his company.
Lou is survived by his wife, Alta and sons Louis Jr (Val Fordham) of Dodge Center, Mark (Laurie) of Austin TX, and Pam (Steve Kunkel) of Sauk Rapids and step-sons Daniel (Julie) of Oronoco, Timothy (Sarah Merbach) of Rochester and Jeffery (Lana) of Byron, and grand and great grandchildren, Aleta, Krista, Zac, Peter, Isaac, Kevin, Ben, Gabe, Chance, Emi, Drake, Monica, John, Logan, Carter, June, and Oaklee.
Lou was proceeded in death by his granddaughter Alexandria and son-in law Mark.
Memorial service will be held on September 14th at 11 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha, MN.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com