"Sincere condolences to Janna Sue and Bills\' extended family. Wow - 16, what a treat (easy for me to say..). I did not get to visit with Bill & Janna Sue very often but when I did it always a very pleasant gathering. I have spent a lot of time in Omaha but never realized that y\'all lived there, shame on me. Bill had a very good sense of humor and an easy laugh. I\'m 3 years older and was also drafted into the Army so we had some mutual experiences we could share. Congratulations Janna Sue on your long marriage and although Bill is gone physically, there is no more pain and that is a blessing. Prayers and love to your family. RIP Bill. He was a blessing to all who knew him. cousin larry gering Shawnee, Oklahoma "
In loving memory of
William D. McCarthy
July 20, 1945 - July 17, 2020
William (Bill) McCarthy was born July 20, 1945, in Algona, IA, as the 7th of 16 children born to Donald McCarthy and Marion (Haan) McCarthy.
He graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in 1963 and completed 2 years of college at Creighton University in Omaha when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years. He returned to Creighton University and graduated with an Economics/Accounting degree. He chose to reside in Omaha following graduation where he met the "best thing that ever happened to him: and was united in marriage with Janna Siedelmann, on June 7, 1975, at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Omaha. The couple had to celebrate their 45th anniversary apart due to the Corona Virus as Bill was in a medical facility during the pandemic.
Learning was an important part of Bill's life. He received his private pilot license in 1977. Learning computer programming became a passion when not working. He was a stock/commodities and mortgage broker and enjoyed building anything, a skill he learned while growing up in St. Benedict and Algona. Bill was known for his "McCarthyisms". He enjoyed saying ("You're all right; you just think you ain't!"). He never met a stranger and shared many stories about life growing up on a farm with a large family. He loved people and life and will be missed dearly.
He was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease/ALS and passed away on July 17, 2020, just days away from his 75th birthday.
Bill is survived by his wife, Janna; son Matthew McCarthy (Cathy) of Denver, CO and grandson, Willie; son Michael McCarthy (Katie Courvoisier) of San Francisco, CA and their daughter Lucia McCarthy; siblings: Sister Jeanette McCarthy, Dubuque, IA; Eileen Hovelsen, Huntington Beach, CA; Cathy Heinen, Berwick, IA; Luke (Lynn) McCarthy, San Marino, CA; David McCarthy (Judy) of Rapid City, SD; Denise McCarthy, Denver, CO; and Al (Deb) McCarthy, Parker, CO, sisters-in-law Joy McCarthy, Dubuque, IA, Deb McCarthy, Centennial, CO, and Les McCarthy, Langley, WA, his mother-in-law Patricia Siedelmann, Omaha, NE; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family including Janna's family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Marion McCarthy; siblings Leo McCarthy; Gene McCarthy; Father John McCarthy; Father Patrick McCarthy; Jerome McCarthy; Phillip McCarthy; Tim McCarthy; and Paula McCarthy and father-in-law Lloyd Siedelmann.
A funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 31st, at 10:30 AM at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, July 30th, at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Community YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/stceceliaalgona. Social distancing practices will be followed both at the visitation and the funeral. Masks are required for the funeral Mass on Friday and requested at the visitation on Thursday.
Tributes
"My Dad, Nilus was good friends with Bill. I don\'t remember him very well as the last time I saw him I think I was pretty young. Dad has told me stories about their time together in the military, and how they looked out for each other. I am grateful for that, as terrible things happen every day, and lifes always a little easier when someone has your back. Unfortunately due to surgery, we were not able to attend the services. However We send Love always to Bill, and his whole family at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, The Lowes & The Yeagers"
"I remember Bill fondly from when he lived in Omaha back in the 70\'s. He was very good friends with my father Frank Serrao. There are two stories that I recall quite vividly. Jan may remember these as well. Once when I was a child (5 or 6), he was over visiting at our house and I snuck into his car, a blue AMC Gremlin with a stick shift. I thought it was a really cool car (that tells you what little I knew back then, lol.). I somehow popped it out of gear and it started rolling down the driveway. I jumped out and the next thing I remember Bill was racing out of the house to catch his car from rolling away. Fortunately it wasn\'t damaged. He never yelled at me for that, though my dad did quite harshly. I cant believe he didn\'t die of a heart attack back then. He was such a good person. Another time as a child my brother Chris and I thoughtfully filled my dads gas tank with the water hose thinking we were doing him a favor. The car didn\'t make it very far before shutting down. Bill happened to be with my dad at the time and they were trouble shooting the problem at a busy gas station. My dad had a cup of gas in his hand and was pouring some into the carburetor when it backfired and started the cup on fire. My dad threw the flaming cup and it splashed onto Bills pants. Needless to say his pants were on fire and he had to remove his pants right there in public at a busy intersection. I wasn\'t there, but I heard it was a sight to be seen. We\'ve looked back and laughed at those stories many times. I was surprised he ever wanted children after his experiences with my family. I also recall playing with their dog Coco. I only recall Mathew as an infant. I\'m sorry to hear of his passing. I wish I knew him better later in life. He will be remembered very fondly by me and my family. My sincere condolences, Joe Serrao Brandon, SD."
"My condolences to the entire McCarthy family and especially to his wife, Janna. Paula McCarthy was in my class and we were good friends. Back then there was a Straub or McCarthy in every class? May he rest in The Peace of the Lord."
"my heartfelt prayers and thoughts to Bill\'s wife Janna and family and extended McCarthy families. Bill lived a full life and God took away Bill\'s pain and suffering with the ALS disease. May Bill\'s spirit live on in all of you and cherish the memories and keep them alive in your hearts. Godspeed Bill, you are home in heaven at the table of the lamb-watch over your loved ones with a smile on your face and love in your heart~ special condolences to Alvin(Al) McCarthy too- he and i were classmates when I went to St.Cecelia\'s Catholic School in Algona, Iowa. i moved from Algona, Iowa to Park Rapids, Minnesota in 1970 after i finished 5th Grade. please know i am thinking of you all and will always keep all of you in my prayers in the days and weeks ahead. With Heartfelt Love and Prayers, Mark J.VonBank- Park Rapids, Minnesota-(formerly of Algona, Iowa.)"
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the McCarthy family. There are many memories from the St. Benedict family days in the 1960?s. "
"Janna and family. It\'s been awhile. Our deepest sympathy and love to all family members and friends. Prayers and Peace, my Cuz. Jim and Pam Gering Gene, Larry and Beverly Gering and other family members."
"We sure had a lot of fun with the McCarthy clan when we lived about two miles down the road. Lots of Sunday afternoon ballgames. My sympathy to the entire family in the loss of Bill. RIP Carol Arndorfer (Braley)"
"To the family of Bill McCarthy? Growing up next to the McCarthy family was a great experience. A fence separated our farm from theirs. I remember playing outside and conversations with everyone. Life was simple, we all worked hard and went to school and church together. I remember Bill getting stung by a bumblebee and his eye swelled shut. I made some remark about that and he teased me back about my curly permanent. We did tease each other quite a bit which was part of the fun. It was nice to see him at our 50th class reunion. My sincere sympathy to each of you with the loss of Bill. With fond memories?Mary Lou (Grandgenett) Crawford"
"Condolences to the McCarthy family. Praying for you all during this difficult time???"
"Condolences to the McCarthy family. Praying for you all during this difficult time???"
"My sympathy and prayers to Janna and the family. May God bless William, and may God\'s strength sustain you in the difficult days ahead. Sister M. Hermann (Josephine) Platt (Friend of Sister Jeanette) Presentation Sisters 2360 Carter Rd. Dubuque, IA 52001"
"Janna and Family.....I was so sorry to hear this news. Bill was such a Great Guy, and everyone who met him will attest to that. These will be difficult times for you, but you have ALL the McCarthy family and ALL the Siedelmann family by your side. Give Thanks for the many years you have had together. You are in my thoughts and prayers.........(Cousin) K......much LOVE"
"My heart is broken ? for the whole McCarthy family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all he will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. I\'m so sorry for your loss. "
"Love and prayers for the whole family. You were a very special person with incredible love "
"Prayers to my sister and her family. Bill, we will forever miss that little chuckle and the gleam in your eye when you told us a naughty story. We love you all. Rick, Leanne and Patricia Siedelmann"
"My heart and prayers go out to the family ? "
"In memory of my amazing Uncle Bill. Such a bright spirit. "
"You will be loved and missed by so many! "