Michael P. Mcloone

Michael P. McLoone, age 74 of Mankato and originally from Waseca, died unexpectedly but peacefully at home on Thursday morning, September 20, 2018. Mikes love and generosity for family and friends will forever be cherished.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, September 29, 2018, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, with Father John Kunz officiating. Immediately following the Mass, a reception to celebrate Mikes life will be held at Loyola Catholic School in Mankato. He will then be privately interred at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel in Waseca, and also from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato.
Michael was born on March 22, 1944 to Judge John H. and Kathryn Daly McLoone in Waseca, the fourth of eight children. He graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Waseca and later completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He married Nancy Byron on July 6th, 1973 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.

Mike began his teaching career at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague in 1969. He then taught for Readak Educational Services, teaching reading and study skills to high school students in five different states. In 1973, he was offered a teaching position at Baylor School for Boys in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Mike and Nancy began their married and family life there. In 1976 they returned to Waseca where they lived while Mike completed a graduate degree at Minnesota State University in Guidance and College Student Personnel. He then accepted a position as the director of an academic/work program for high-risk youth in Cherokee, Iowa. This experience led to a position in Student Services at Minnesota State University where he proudly served as a financial aid advisor for the next 20 years. After retiring from the university in 1999, he began a career in human resources at Midwest Wireless where he directed orientation for new employees in a fast growing company. He remained with the company through many transitions and retired from a facilities management position at Verizon in 2015.

While work was important to Mike, it was his family that brought him unending joy. Growing up in a loving family with eight children prepared him well for what was ahead. He and Nancy celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this summer hosted by their six children and their families. While the McLoone children were growing up he was a most involved Dad, caring for them with special meals and activities, attending sporting and other school, and then college events. He was known to share his exuberant pride for them on many occasions and instilled in them the importance of family and caring for others. He had a special and unique relationship with each of his children, demonstrating this through his love, support and attention. His humor, charm and presence made each encounter special and have created memories to last.

After retirement, he had even more time to spend with those he loved, especially his wife, Nancy, whom he adored. Mike visited his children and their families often, being present for every special occasion. He loved every minute he was with his eight grandchildren, whether it was watching a sporting event, sharing stories, or reading a book while holding them on his lap. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of another grandchild this fall. Mike was selfless in his attention to Nancy and their family, as well as his extended family. He was the first to offer help and give of himself in such a way that all around him felt his love. He extended this to others, becoming much more involved in the St John the Baptist church community over the last several years through serving as an usher and a lector at mass, and making his weekly visits to homebound parishioners. Early in his retirement he made the decision to visit every state park in Minnesota. He shared these adventures with Nancy, his mother-in-law, Marian, and others. Mike was so proud to receive a plaque from the State of Minnesota honoring this achievement. He had many friends and took time to meet with them through breakfast or lunch dates, golf outings and weekly coffee group, where he was the only one drinking Coke.

Mike was passionate about being Irish and whether it was dressing all in green on St. Patricks Day or sharing moments of his travels to Ireland with Nancy, his Irish eyes told the story. There was not a day that he did not touch the lives of someone, making friends with anyone he met.

Mike is survived by his wife Nancy, his children : Michael (Katie) and their children Delaney, Aidan, Keiran and Michael Cavanaugh of New Prague, Katie Marsh (Jason) and their children Brady and Evan of Chaska, Liz Dybvig (Nate) and their expected child of St. Paul, Maggie Dawson (Tom) and their children Finley and Hadley of Otsego, Bridget Deering (Patrick) of Eden Prairie and Patrick of Minneapolis. He is also survived by his sisters: Mary Kaye Perrin (Don), Margo, Annie (Tom) and Patty, his brother Steve, his mother-in-law Marian Byron, brother-in-law Mark Byron (Karen) and sister-in-law Ann McLoone, many nieces and nephews and their families, as well as many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers John IV and Jerry, his niece Selena, his father-in-law Frank Byron and his sister-in-law Barbara Byron.

In place of flowers, Mikes family invites you to direct memorials to the Michael P. McLoone Family Endowment Fund at Loyola Catholic School in Mankato.