Nicholas J. McNamara (2015)
MCNAMARA, BROWN, TUTTLE, EDWARDS, FRAHM JUDGE, EXCEEN, GREEN, KIMMICK, MOEN
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 3/22/2015 at 12:35:52
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, March 22, 2015NICHOLAS J. MCNAMARA, West Des Moines, Ia
Nicholas J. McNamara peacefully passed away on March 21, 2015 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue, in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.
Nick was raised in Winterset, the son of Frank and Mary McNamara. When he was four, his mother passed away. Nick and his older brother, Patrick, were primarily raised by their grandparents, Carl and Anna Brown, while their father worked for the family trucking business, Brown Line. While in high school, he was active in sports and formed many lifelong friendships. Nick also served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard.
Nick was married to Nadine Tuttle and they were blessed with four children; Micah, Patrick, Nicholas, and Shannon. The family moved to West Des Moines, and Nick commuted to Winterset where he was the bookkeeper for Penn Dixie Quarry. He was also a bartender at the Tavern on 5th Street in Valley Junction for many years. Nick and Nadine divorced in 1969. He was a loving and dedicated father.
Nick married Kathleen Edwards in 1984. Nick and Kathy shared mutual interests such as counseling other blended families through the Catholic Church, gardening, hosting large 4th of July parties, and traveling the U.S. as well as Israel and Italy. Kathy's untimely passing in 2006, left Nick and the family heartbroken.
Nick was a fun loving character with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He loved being from Iowa and cherished the many friendships he formed with classmates and coworkers. He was active in coordinating class reunions and met once a month with many of his former coworkers. He also enjoyed the friendships he had with those at the West Des Moines Senior Center, where he went for lunch every day for many years. Nick was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Nick will be greatly missed by his children, Micah of Chicago, Patrick (Andrea) of St. Paul, MN, Nicholas (Katherine Judge) of Madison, WI, and Shannon (Trent Frahm) of St. Paul, MN; two step-daughters, Lisa Exceen (Dan) of Capistrano Beach, CA and Angela Green (Jason) of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Frankie, Jackson, Aidan, Audrey, Benay, Quinn, Ava, Mikey, Lila, Cullen, and Stella; sister-in-law, Marilyn McNamara; niece, Anne Kimmick and nephew, Terry McNamara. Nick will also be missed by his companion of the last six years, Susan Moen. His cat Mister, will forever be looking for him.
The family would like to express gratitude to the medical staff at Methodist West Hospital and Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Memorial contributions may be made to the National LMS Foundation, in memory of Kathy McNamara, or the Alzheimer's Association, the Greater Iowa Chapter.
McLaren's Chapel at Resthaven Cemetery.
Gravestone Photo
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