Jack Daly

Jack B. Daly, of Dubuque, IA, died November 20, 2019 surrounded by family at his sister Julie’s home in Clive, IA. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 25, 2019 at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. A visitation will be held at 9:30 AM prior to the service. Jack (John) Baldwin Daly was “born in Chicago raised in Des Moines” to Mary (Baldwin) and John Daly on May 15, 1946. He attended All Saints grade school and Dowling Catholic High School (‘64). Jack loved playing basketball and was an “enthusiastic” player in the Des Moines Jewish league. Recently, a letter requesting information to join the priesthood from a young Jack was found. Alas, that letter was never sent and Jack went onto Loras College in Dubuque, IA where he was on the winning “Old Crows” intramural basketball team. Jack took a three year Army sabbatical, stationed in Germany. Jack married Karen Fuchsen in 1973 and settled in Dubuque to raise three children. He worked at John Deere in Ankeny before commencing a long, successful career at Franklin Life Insurance Company (ret. 2017). Jack took immense pride helping others carve financial security for their families and was one of the first there to help after a loved one passed on. Jack was usually found perched on his kitchen stool, drinking coffee, watching FOX news on a 13 inch TV, doodling and doing the daily crossword. Jack had no opinions, whatsoever, on politics. He was once swarmed by DBQ PD while he was running around the backyard, shirtless, shooting a BB rifle at the rabbits. For years, Jack would drive (very slowly) around town in his beloved 1983 Mercedes SL convertible. Later in life, Jack returned to Loras auditing several philosophy classes, even serving as a substitute instructor when needed. For the past several years of his life, Jack enjoyed playing the slots, cheering on Notre Dame football and Duke basketball as well as traveling to the Bahamas with his dear partner Christine Cummings. Jack had a wicked sense of humor and like many of those in his family, sarcasm was his favorite form of communication. Jack was a poet; student of philosophy; and loved by many. He will be missed by all of his friends and family. He is survived by his children Katie Daly MacKenzie (Brian) of Denver, CO; Molly Rose Daly Speed (Lance) of Destin, FL; and Tom Daly of La Crosse, WI; his two grandsons: Broderick and Liam MacKenzie; his partner, Christine Cummings of Freeport, IL; his former wife Karen Houlihan of La Crosse, WI; his sisters, Julianne Daly (Terry Brown) of Clive, Patty Daly Haimerl (Hans) of Nuremberg, Germany; and Donna (Dick) Stence of Dubuque; his brother-in-law Phil Peterson of Ft. Myers, FL; and cousin John Francis (Lin) of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents; Auntie Helen Francis; sisters Terri Peterson and Joan Walsh, brother-in-law Alan Walsh and niece Nicole Haimerl-Tschampel. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Mercy Hospice caregivers Marizeta, Pam, Jacki, and Kristen. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mercy Hospice Johnston. Illegitimi Non Carborundum “If a hose can get stuck, it will.” - Jack B. Daly