Maurice Garmoe

Maurice D. Garmoe, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Pleasant Manor Care Center. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 21, 2014, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, beginning after 12:00 noon, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at the Memorial Chapel with Pastor Deb Savage officiating. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Alzheimer's Association and Grace Friends Church. Born September 2, 1935 in Salem, IA, Maurice Dean was the son of Otto and Ruth Alter Garmoe. He attended school in Salem. On October 17, 1955, he married Dorothy Leydens in Iowa City, IA. The couple has been longtime residents of Mt. Pleasant. Prior to his marriage, Maurice began his work career in the clinic at the Mental Health Institute. Throughout his life he worked construction, was a heavy equipment operator, and drove a truck for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. For ten years, he and Dorothy were administrators of the Henry County Home. He retired in 1996, as a semi driver for Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Maurice's priority was his family and he liked camping with them. A man of many talents, he built his own sawmill and a motorhome, and he restored his tractor. He was known nationwide for calling square dances and enjoyed RVing as he traveled across the country. His favorite hobbies included working his draft horses, attending farm auctions, and motorcycle riding. Maurice was a member of Grace Friends Church and the Mt. Pleasant Tractor Club. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a son, Mike (Julie) Garmoe of Mt. Pleasant, IA; two daughters, Patti (Jerry) Phillips of Muscatine, IA and Tami Larsh of Fairfield, IA; a brother, Keith (Charlotte) Garmoe of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a sister, Donna (Bob) Frank of Sperry, IA; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding Maurice in death are his parents, Otto and Ruth Garmoe; and a sister, Lucille Garmoe.