Mary "Lenore" McGuire

Mary “Lenore” (nee Ryan) McGuire, 88, passed away peacefully at Fieldstone in DeWitt, Iowa, on August 20, 2025.

Lenore was born in Calamus, Iowa, on May 13, 1937, to Joseph and Mary Evelyn (Green) Ryan. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s High School in DeWitt.

Lenore’s first job after high school was at the DeWitt Telephone Exchange. She was later employed at Scott Drug in DeWitt on two occasions, once in her 20’s and later when all her children were in school. But raising her eight children on the McGuire farm northeast of DeWitt was her greatest achievement. Lenore was a homemaker and proud farmwife. She often drove tractors, baled hay, sorted cattle, or anything else that needed to be done on the farm.

Anyone that met Lenore quickly learned about her eight children. While raising those children over a period of 36 years, Lenore found time for creative pursuits. She was an avid artist, crafter, gardener, and quilter. As long as she was able, Lenore was active in her church, St. Joe’s, the Clinton County Fair, and her prayer, art, and gardening groups.

Lenore is survived by her eight children, Jean McGuire of Peru, Illinois; Mark (Marci) McGuire of Prosper, Texas; Madonna (Mike) McGuire Smith of Corvallis, Oregon; Lois (Jonathan) Kaye of North Bend, Washington; Matt (Amy) McGuire of DeWitt, Iowa; Dan (Melissa) McGuire of Windsor, Colorado; Jennifer (Aaron) Bousselot of Centennial, Colorado; and Joni McGuire of West Palm Beach, Florida. Lenore has 17 grandchildren, four step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and four step great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce (Ryan) Spindler of Peach Tree City, Georgia, and dozens of nieces and nephews and their descendants. Lenore is preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children, Joseph McGuire, her five brothers, Don, Bob, Ralph, David, and Charlie Ryan, one sister, Janet (Ryan) Burken, and son-in-law Steve Tuttle.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Lenore’s name to St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt.

Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 24, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, with a Rosary beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2025, in the church, Rev. Fr. Michael Snyder officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, DeWitt at a later date.

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Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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