John F. Muckenhirn

John’s services will be livestreamed below starting at 7:00 PM Thursday, October 8th, and 11:00 AM Friday, October 9th.

John Francis Muckenhirn, 74, of Fargo, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, surrounded by his family.

John was born August 6, 1952, in Ellendale, North Dakota, to Gerald Muckenhirn and Frances (McShane) Muckenhirn. He graduated from Larimore High School in 1970 and attended North Dakota State University before transferring to Valley City State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. While at Valley City State, he met Lorrie Goeller in a zoology class. They were married on June 10, 1977, at St. Catherine’s Church in Valley City.

John began his teaching career in Munich, North Dakota, where he taught biology and chemistry. In 1983, the family moved to Oakes, where he taught at Oakes High School for 23 years until his retirement in 2007. He was known for his enthusiasm in the classroom and for catchphrases his students still remember today. He cared deeply about his students’ success and always enjoyed hearing from them long after they left his classroom.

Outside the classroom, John devoted countless hours to student athletes. He served as an assistant and later head coach of girls track and field, coached junior high football, served as head golf coach, and even drove the bus. For more than 30 years he officiated high school basketball and football games, working an estimated 2,500 games, including 18 ND Class B state basketball tournaments, and served as referee for two state football championships. In 2014, he was inducted into the North Dakota Officials Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to high school athletics.

In 2014, John and Lorrie moved to Fargo. John was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, hiking, golfing and traveling the world. He remained a loyal supporter of Valley City State and NDSU athletics and spent many Saturdays watching Bison football with his mother. Above all, he treasured time with his wife, his children, and especially his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lorrie, of Fargo; his children, Eric (Katie) Muckenhirn of Pelican Rapids, MN, and Casey Muckenhirn of Minneapolis, MN; his grandchildren, Addilyn and Aiden; his mother, Frances Muckenhirn; his siblings, Joan (David) Morton, Jim (Barb) Muckenhirn, Jeri (Dan) Vanak, and Janel (Ken) Simonson; and many other relatives, friends, colleagues, and former students.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Muckenhirn.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. The Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Horace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Horace.