On a clear Sunday morning at dawn, Michael Edward Delaney left this life and began his new life of everlasting joy and praise with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Michael was born to Terrance Joseph and Mary Colletta Schierholt Delaney on Dec. 3, 1965 in Estherville, Iowa. He grew up on his family’s farm in Lake Park, Iowa. His childhood years spent on the farm perpetuated his lifelong love of farming and all things agricultural.
He graduated from Milford, Iowa High School in 1984 and went on to graduate from Iowa State University in 1988 with a Bachelor’s of Science in agricultural engineering. In 1993 he completed his master of business administration through St. Ambrose University. In 2001 he received his master of engineering with a major in systems engineering from Iowa State University.
He began his engineering career at Case Corporation in Burlington, Iowa in 1989. He remained with Case Corporation until September 2000 when he accepted a position with John Deere in Ottumwa. While at John Deere, he worked as the test lab supervisor and program manager for the new generation Windrower. He concluded his career with John Deere as a Staff Engineer. During his career he obtained two patents.
Not one to sit idle, Mike was involved with various organizations and volunteer projects throughout his life. Most recently he was involved with the Knights of Columbus, Seton Catholic School Board, of which he was president for two years, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa.
Mike was united in marriage to Mary Beth Smith on Nov. 18, 1995. Together they welcomed two children into their family, Alexander Matthew and Elizabeth Caroline. Time spent together as a family was always his priority. He passed on a wealth of knowledge to his children in the short time he graced their lives. He taught them about farming and engineering along with teaching them to love the everyday things in life. Above all he taught them the true values in life…compassion for others, the gift of a giving hand, and a love of Jesus Christ.
Mike passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 at 6:10 a.m. in the morning after battling lung cancer for two years in the same way he lived his life, with quiet determination and courage. He was preceded in death by his father, Terrance Joseph in 1985.
Those who survive him and will forever hold them in his hearts are: his wife, Mary Beth, his son, Alexander at home, his daughter, Elizabeth at home, his mother, Mary of Milford, Iowa, his mother-in-law, Connie Smith of Burlington, Iowa, his brothers, Steve (Barb) Delaney of Melrose, Iowa, John (Patty) Delaney of Lake Park , Iowa, Paul (Tammy) Delaney of Lake Park, Iowa, Jim Delaney of Albia, Iowa, sister, Ann Delaney of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, sister-in-law, Ann (Stann) Tate of Leawood, Kansas. He also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. with the family to receive friends following a 5 p.m. Christian wake service until 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa.
The funeral Mass of resurrection for Mr. Delaney will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Burlington with Father Patrick Hilgendorf as the celebrant and Fathers John Speigel and Jeff Belger as concelebrants. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
The Hass-Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Mike’s obituary at www.hassthielen.com.
