"I just learned of Joes death. I knew Joe as a child while working for his father on the farm. He was a gregarious, fun loving child. I lost track of him thru theYears. My sympathies to his brother and sisters. Joe Schulte"
In loving memory of
Joseph E. Maher
March 22, 1959 - May 23, 2020
The Public is invited to join the family at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery, Vail, for the graveside service Saturday, May 30, 2020, at 2 P.M. maintaining social distancing.
Joseph Edwin Maher was born March 22, 1959 to Edwin Clarence Maher and Kathleen Rosemarie Maher at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. Joe passed away suddenly from complications of an intestinal surgery on May 23, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attained the age of 61 years and 62 days.
He was raised on the family farm north of Manilla, Iowa. He attended Manilla Community Schools through the 8th Grade and then attended Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll, IA graduating with the class of 1977.
Joe struggled bravely with mental illness much of his life. He lived several places including Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. At the time of his death, he was residing at The Pride Group in Primghar, Iowa.
Joe loved attending family gatherings, and visiting with extended family and friends of family. He loved listening to music, painting at times, playing bingo and cards. He was often bold with his card hands and was never reluctant to go it alone.
Whenever any of us visited Joe, he would usually suggest meeting around lunch time. Joe always enjoyed good food and usually knew the best places to eat wherever he was living. His favorite foods included fried chicken or a hearty piece of steak. Joe always found room for dessert and seconds too. Joe enjoyed a good meal and sharing one with him lifted everyone’s spirits.
Joe had the infectious Maher “Machine Gun” laugh that everyone loved. Joe had a smile that would light up a room. Sometimes he liked to test the room with something a bit outrageous to see if he could get a reaction. He usually could not contain his smile from giving his real intentions away. Joe enjoyed a good conversation, was a deep thinker and very caring.
Joe liked to reminisce about high school and growing up on the farm. He loved the farm and working with his father and learning the business of raising hogs.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Kathleen, a nephew Flynn Michael Day and a great niece Mikayla. Joe was survived by six sisters, Jean, Susan and husband Bob, Sharon and husband Denny, Mary Jane and husband Richard, Marian, and Rosemary and husband Mitch, and one brother John and wife Nicola. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Donations can be made online at https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Donate-to-NAMI.
Tributes
"Until I read Joe's obituary, I had never heard of the Maher "Machine Gun" laugh. Anyone who knew Joe, knows that was truly the perfect way to describe Joe's laugh! I had not heard his laugh in years, but could easily imagine it once I read that description. . Appreciated his smile, laugh, and rides to Carroll."
"Joe and all the Ar-We-Va guys were fun to be around . Joe was always so chill and laid back...good friend...Hoody (Stan Romey)"
"Thoughts and prayers to the Maher family!"
"Am sorry to hear of Joe's passing. We first met through his sister Sharon at a Cross Country party at the Maher farm Freshman year and remained friends through the Kuemper years. We went to Senior Prom together and the picture from that night continues to be shown at each 77 reunion! It was nice to read about the joys and adventures with family in recent years despite his struggles. Sincerely, Julie Moccio ( Hogan "Hogie")"
"My sympathy to the Maher family. Joes smile was easily remembered in the KHS Class of 77. May he Rest In Peace.:pray::skin-tone-2:"
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Maher family. Joe was a great guy! He was my first car date when I turned 16. Lots of fun memories! Becky Wieland Snyder"
"My sincere sympathy to the Maher family.. Bev Lawler Harpenau"
"So sorry to hear about Joes passing. Thoughts and Prayers to the Maher family! Definitely have great memories of times spent with Joe and the Ar-We-Va group!! I can only imagine that Joe, Jim Tomka and Tom Adams are together and sharing laughs again. RIP Joe Maher!! Brian Rupiper"
"Our sincerest sympathy to the Maher family on the loss of your brother and uncle. Fond memories we have of growing up. Playing cards and spoons on the Maher staricase, oh my! What fun, we will always remember him this way! He has no mores struggles, bless his soul. All our love, the Popp's"
"So sorry to hear of Joes passing. Had a lot of good times in high school with Joe. Sorry I can not be at the funeral. Prayers to his family. RIP my friend!"
"Our sincere sympathy to your family at this time of Joes passing. There are many memories of the fun times our families shared. Card games, laughs and and stories were the main ingredients of these memorable times. Maybe rest peacefully."
"My thoughts and prayers to the family.I remember the always smiling Joe back in high school. Rest in peace Joe"
"My deepest sympathy to the family of Joe. He always brightened the days at Kuemper with his infectious smile and laugh. I will always remember his fun personality! May he rest in peace. Sandy Starman"
"I will always remember Joes beautiful smile and laugh during our high school years. Praying Hods peace and comfort for his family during this difficult time."
"My sincere sympathies to the entire Maher family. I can't think of a family in my high school circle where I've made so many friends or enjoyed so many laughs. It's heartbreaking that Joe has left this earth but he now rests in the living arms of Jesus. I'll forever remember that dark- eyed handsome and kind young man in high school. God's blessings upon his soul and your family. Connie Staley McDonough"
"To the Maher family my deepest sympathies. Joe was a wonderful friend of mine during our high school years. In fact I invited Joe to go to Sadie Hawkins dance with me one year. My dad allowed me to take our good car to pick up Joe on the farm near Vail. (I lied and told my dad that Joe was meeting me in Carroll). Regardless Joe and I enjoyed the evening. My prayers for for all. Tato (Cathy McCollister)"
"To my fellow classmate and forever farm family neighbor, great memories only will fill my mind and heart with sympathy and prayers to joes family ! Sincerely Kathy Schulte Stein"
"No one could not help liking and getting to know Joe our freshman year when he became part of the Kuemper class of 77. His laugh and easy going personality made you want to hang around him. Life dealt him a terrible hand as he got through senior year. He was left to play that hand out the rest of his life. I cant even imagine how hard it had to be. Joni & I offer our sympathies and prayers to the family. Denny Rutten"
"So sorry to learn of the loss of a classmate. Prayers for families and friends. A reminder to live life to the fullest. Pam Smouse"
"Jean you have our sympathy as do the rest of the Maher family."
"I am proud to say I went to high school with Joe and always loved bumping into him in the halls of Kuemper. He was such a fun- loving guy, and fun to be around. Seeing him at games, on the weekends at parties or on the drag was a bonus. His smile was a gift! I'm so sorry Maher family, God Bless Joe, RIP Joni Rutten"
"May he Rest In Peace. Thoughts and Prayers for all his family."
"I just want to offer my sincere condolences to the Maher family. As childhood/high school friends Joe was always a pleasure to be around. Reading the write up on Joe's life and being reminded of his infectious laugh and big smile was very heartwarming. It makes me happy to know Joe never lost his great smile and laugh, that is the way I will always remember him. Fun loving, friendly and a gentle soul. Joe will be remembered in my prayers. Steve Comstock Littleton, CO"
"Our prayers and sympathy go to the Maher families. Russ and Mary Wulf"