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Michael James Monaghan

June 3, 1949 - October 18, 2017

Michael J. Monaghan, 68 of Ankeny passed away October 18th 2017. He is survived by his wife Becky of 47 years, his two sons and their spouses: Adam and Tammy, and Lucas and Carol-Ann, his grandchildren and great grandchildren; a brother Andy (Vicki) Monaghan, and a sister Marylou (Gary) Thimmesch, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Marita Monaghan, and Brother Tom. Visitation will be held October 24th at the Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny from 12:00pm-2:00pm, the funeral will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the family, partial proceeds will be donated to McKenna and her family to assist with their surmounting medical bills while McKenna continues her fight with childhood cancer.
Michael was born on June 3, 1949 in Independence, Iowa. He graduated from East Buchanan High School in 1968. Mike attended Hawk Eye Tech after graduating from High School where he focused on auto mechanics. He held many jobs twisting wrenches until he retired from UPS in 2003.
Mike met Becky in 1969 while scooping the loop in Waterloo in his purple people eater. When they met Mike was working and attending Hawk Eye Tech and Becky was a cosmetologist in a salon in Waterloo. They were married a year later on June 12th, 1970 in Waterloo. A few years later Mike and Becky moved to Ankeny where they began to put down their roots as a family together. After patiently waiting they excitedly welcomed their first son, Adam Louis, on August 16th, 1977 on the same day that Elvis died. Thankfully for Adam, Becky did not find out about Elvis’ death until after Adam was named, otherwise he would have been named Elvis Louis Monaghan! Then on November 21st, 1981 Mike and Becky welcomed their second son, Lucas Michael, who was their early Thanksgiving Day blessing.
Mike was extremely proud to be Irish, so much so that he made sure that everyone knew it! He was one of the friendliest people you would ever meet, he was always striking up a conversation with whomever he could, and he always left them laughing with his infectious Monaghan sense of humor. Mike was a very simple man, all he ever asked for was his recliner, tv remote, and food. He enjoyed watching the Price is Right everyday and he lived for the days when he could watch Football, especially the Vikings which he passed on his love for them to his two sons.
Mike made sure that no one ever went hungry, he was famous for his pork tenderloins, potato salad, and cheesy potatoes. His specialties were always requested for each family gathering and the Linde family made sure he was last in line so that there was enough food for everybody.
Mike was a big family man, he always loved being around his family and extended family, he was the life of the party. He was extremely proud of his two sons, Adam and Lucas. He always said the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree when it came to his sons. Adam took after Mike with his love for driving semis and pursuing a career in driving 18 wheelers. Lucas took after his father with his love for twisting wrenches, and has pursued a career in the United States Coast Guard as a Helicopter Mechanic.
Mike and Becky loved spending time together, and he always made sure his family was well taken care of. Mike always told Becky that she married him for better or for worse (more better than worse most years) and he always had to have the final word, “Yes Dear”.