Margaret D. Daly

Margaret D. Daly, 92, passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born on April 15, 1929, to William and Marie Dilks, in Holden, Missouri. She graduated from Carlisle High School in 1946, and began working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., in Des Moines.

She met Bill Daly at Midtown Roller Rink in 1947, and as he later told their children, “I chased her, until she caught me”. Margaret’s version was, “I kept skating in front of him.” Bill and Margaret married in 1948, and enjoyed 73 years together before his death in May of 2021.

They lived in West Des Moines for many years, where they raised four children. They later built their dream home, designed by their son Mike, on an acreage in Cumming. They were lifelong members of Sacred Heart Church. Margaret was employed by Drake University in the Drake Relays office, and later, at Continental Western Insurance. Margaret loved entertaining family and friends at their home, traveling, playing bridge, and square dancing.

Margaret will be greatly missed by daughter Joan (Joe) Wanzek; daughter Rhonda (Tom) Kilkenny; son John (Lori) Daly; and daughter-in-law Marcia Daly. Margaret had nine grandchildren, Amy (Matt) Corwin; Joseph (Kellie) Wanzek; Jeff (Carolyn) Kilkenny; Noelle (Sean) Hale; Zachary Daly; Michael Daly; Abigail Daly; Eliza Daly; Courtney Daly; and three great-grandchildren, Rachel Kilkenny, and Kate and Matthew Wanzek. She is also survived by her twin sister Martha (Bob) Foss, sisters Wilma (Don) Walker, Joyce (Rick) Hohman, and Sandra (Hubert) Odendahl, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Michael, her parents, and brothers Jerry and Robert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., with family visitation for one hour prior. Burial at Resthaven Cemetery will follow. Afterwards, a Celebration of Life lunch will be at McLaren’s Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Animal Rescue League of Des Moines, Furry Friends Refuge, or an animal shelter of your choice, in Margaret’s memory.