Gonzalo "Mike" Montufar

Gonzalo Godofredo Montufar had an adventurer’s spirit and passed away on March 29, 2023. He was known lovingly as Mike by his family in Iowa, as Pepe or Gonzo by his friends and, with admiration, as Papa by his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Debra Montufar; sons, Adam (Peri) Montufar and Darren Montufar; siblings, Nelly Montufar, Magda Montufar, Alfonso (Maritza Zavala) Montufar, Oswaldo Montufar, Rosy (Rodrigo) Porras, and Patricio (Martha Hoyos); grandchildren, Maya and Remington Montufar; as well as many extended family members.

After immigrating to the United States from Ecuador in the early 1970s, he lived and worked in Florida and New Jersey before moving to Des Moines, Iowa. He married Debra Horn in 1980 and became a U.S. citizen in 1988. Mike assembled and inspected lawn tractors at AMF Manufacturing Inc. before earning his associate degree at DMACC. He was an entrepreneur at heart and opened his own business in Valley Junction, offering handmade and leather goods from Ecuador while selling lawn and garden equipment and home appliances at Sears in Merle Hay Mall. During his time there, he earned many sales awards and was a favorite of coworkers and customers. He worked for Sears until the store closed in 2018.

Mike lived with tremendous zeal. He was an avid cyclist and soccer player, and he enjoyed any activity in the sun, especially grilling, walking, and just soaking it in. Mike’s hobbies included playing cards, completing jigsaw puzzles, and baking his popular chocolate chip cookies. A skilled artist, he would impress family members with intricate sketches and oil paintings that were uniquely “Mike.” He also was a real Mr. Fix-It, with a knack for repairing small engines, attaching kitchen shelves, and installing ceiling fans or light switches for family and friends. He mended decks, repaired roofs, and fixed holes in walls, and often repeated the adage to “measure twice, cut once.” Most important, Mike loved to socialize. He made friends instantly with his engaging personality and a contagious laugh. He loved talking over the phone with his family in Ecuador, living and laughing with Debra, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonso Montufar and Corina Flores Montufar; his sisters, Pia and Flor Montufar and brother, Wilfrido Montufar; sister-in-law, Lourdes Salgado; and brothers-in-law, Marco Sanchez and Jorge Poveda.

His stories, optimism, and exuberance will be dearly missed and always remembered.

In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to Above & Beyond Cancer https://aboveandbeyondcancer.org/donate or to the family for discretionary contribution.