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Photo of Dean B. McOllough

Dean B. McOllough

3/12/1921 - 10/29/2012


Obituary


Dean B. McOllough, 91, of Mason City, formerly of Clarion, died peacefully on Monday, October 29, 2012, with his daughters by his side at the Muse-Norris Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral Services for Dean will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion with Reverend Nils Hernandez officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Dean Bernard McOllough was born on March 12, 1921, to Stanley McOllough and Mayme (Virginia) Burke McOllough, on a farm south of Clarion. He was blessed with 2 brothers, Melvin (Buster) and Clair, and 1 sister, Mary. When he was 12 years old his beloved mother died in childbirth, leaving his father to care for his young family. Dean always felt very fortunate to have such a loving and devoted father, and he had many happy memories of time spent hunting and fishing with his father. When his older brother Buster married a wonderful young woman named Ruth Reeder, she became his second mother. Dean graduated from Clarion High School in 1938. In that year he was a member of the Clarion wrestling team and went on to earn an individual state wrestling title in the 85 lb. class weight.  After graduation, he farmed with his father and brother Buster 6 miles south of Clarion.  Dean and Buster farmed together their entire lives and Dean was always proud of the fact that they never spoke a harsh word to each other. On November 28, 1962, after a 7-year courtship, he married Lorraine Marroni-Smith at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City, Iowa, and became an instant Father to Sandy. Two years later the family joyously welcomed daughter Cathy Kay. Dean continued to farm into his late 70s.  Farming was his life. After the death of his wife in 2005, he moved to Mason City and made his home with his daughter, Cathy. His favorite things were going to lunch with Sandy, rides to East Park to feed the geese and watch the deer, listening to 40’s music and the markets, and of course checking out the crops around Mason City. He was a joy to his daughters and they cherished every minute spent with him. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy K. McOllough and Sandra K. Humphrey (Randy) of Mason City; his best pal and constant companion, "Stretch" the Yorkie; brothers-in-law, Gabriel Marroni and Ralph Johnson of Mason City; sister-in-law, Lucy Bilyeu of Rockford, Illinois, Ruth Marroni of Michigan along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; parents, Stanley and Mayme; brothers, Melvin and Clair; sister, Mary Radio; an infant brother and sister, special sister-in-law, Ruth McOllough; sister-in-law, Verlene McOllough; nephew, Melvin McOllough Jr.; great-niece, Jennifer Jenkins and great-nephew, Jeff McOllough. Dean will be remembered as an honest and kind man who was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. We love you dad. Rest in peace.