A funeral Mass for Marty McGuire, 81, of Algona, was held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bancroft. The funeral was live streamed on the Divine Mercy YouTube page. Burial followed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Bancroft with military honors conducted by the Bancroft American Legion.
Martin Eugene “Marty” McGuire, son of Charles and Charlotte (Hood) McGuire, was born on July 4, 1942, in Bancroft, IA. He died on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, IA at the age of 81.
Marty spent his entire youth years on his parents’ family farm north of Bancroft. It was there where he developed many fond childhood memories helping his parents with cattle and farming duties. Marty was known to miss a school day on occasion to support the family farm needs including the 9 months he missed after being run over by a farm tractor and in a body cast from his neck to his ankles to heal his many broken bones.
Marty received his education at Saint John’s Catholic School in Bancroft where he met his high school sweetheart, Barbara Lappe while attending a dance at a local ballroom. They were married July 3, 1962. In high school, Marty enlisted to join the Air Force which took the newlyweds to Roswell, NM where Marty continued to serve and where they began their family. Their marriage brought forth six children.
After being discharged from the Air Force, Marty and Barbara made their home in the Bancroft area, later Burt, and then in Algona. In the mid-70s, Marty drove a semi-truck before starting his own trucking business with his wife Barbara. Martin McGuire Trucking became Marty’s passion which he thoroughly enjoyed. Through his business, he had the opportunity to provide adolescents with a job where he became a mentor to many, teaching them the value of hard work. During these years, in addition to his trucking business, he brought to life many antique farm tractors which were cast off to rust away by refurbishing them to like new. It was in these years too, that he began to collect small scale antique tractors which he greatly enjoyed sharing his love for with others.
Throughout Marty’s life, participation in the Catholic church was important to him. His devotion to our Lord was modeled to those around him. Being vocal, as many have known Marty to be, he had no reservations defending his Christian or other beliefs. It was while attending church he met Shari Frank, who brought immense joy to his life. Together, they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; attending church together, visiting family and friends, taking road trips, and caring for one another.
Marty will be remembered for his kindness, love and giving nature, work ethic, peacemaker, humor, and his positive outlook on life. Marty lived each day to the fullest. He was always on the go mowing, removing snow, helping others get a tractor started, planning his next project, or spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren whom he loved deeply.
Left to cherish Marty’s memory is his special companion, Shari, of seven years; his children Katherine McGuire of Stilwell, KS & Jeff Murphy; Carol (Dan) McClemons of Mason City, IA; Karen (John) Turk of Mason City, IA; Kristin (Bruce) Reese of Des Moines, IA; and Kelly (Bruce) Hancock of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Melissa (Justin) Lockwood; Andrea Lenz; Michael (Elisa) Matson and Alicia Matson, and Matthew (Savanah) McClemons and Emma McClemons; Kaitlyn (Cody) DeMaris and Ella Turk; Spencer, Martin, and MaKayla Reese; Charlotte Hancock; great grandchildren Natalie, Kaiden, and Madilyn Lockwood; Avery, Emery and Verose Lenz; Sayda and Joslyn McClemons; Emersyn Daniels and Ellie McCann; and Coltyn, Caralyne, and Caisyn DeMaris. He is survived by three sisters and two brothers, William (Ann) McGuire; Ann Degen; Mary Faith Schiltz; Joe (Carolyn) McGuire and Kristin “Kristi” Brandenburg; his brother and sister-in-laws, Cheryl McGuire; Patricia “Pat” McGuire; Bev Reller; Luella Lappe; Duane (Penny) Lappe; and Diane Hutchinson, and many nieces and nephews.
Marty was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara (Lappe) McGuire, parents Charles and Charlotte McGuire, a son, Charles McGuire, a grandson, Cameron Reese, a granddaughter Morgan Hancock; three brothers, John McGuire, Edmund (Jessie) McGuire, and Tom McGuire; and three brother-in-laws, Donald Degen, Donald Lappe, Donald Schiltz, Robert Lappe, and Stephen Brandenburg.
A special thank you to Dr. Samuel Congello, and the doctors, nurses, and staff on Four East that took care of our father. His care was outstanding, and we are very grateful.
