George Alan McDermott, 94, of Cascade, Iowa passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Accura Health Care in Cascade, Iowa.

Visitation for Alan will be held from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2025, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, where services for Alan will be held at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  The services will be live streamed on the St. Thomas Aquinas Facebook page at 12:30 p.m.   Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528.  The Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Alan was born August 20, 1930, at home in rural Cascade, Iowa, son of Raymond and Lenore (Dolphin) McDermott.  He received his lower education in a one room schoolhouse near his parent’s farm and went on to graduate high school from St. Martin’s High School in Cascade, Iowa.  Alan was a United States Veteran having served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, January 1952 to January 1954.

On August 8, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marjorie A. Luensmann at the Basilica St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa.   Together the couple went on to farm in the rural Cascade area and raise their ten children.  Alan also drove school bus for the Western Dubuque School district for 25 years while farming.  He also was courier for Ohnward Bank & Trust. His wife Margie preceded him in death on August 7, 2023.

Alan was devoted to his faith and an active member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade.  He was also a member of the Cascade Knights of Columbus Council #930 for 68 years and the Cascade American Legion Post #528 for 72 years.  In September 2011, Alan got the privilege to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington D. C.

Those left to cherish his memory are his ten children, Cheryl (Don) Peters of Monticello, Lynne (Jim) Mona of Urbandale, Mike (Monica) McDermott of Bernard, Pat McDermott of Warrensburg, MO, Lisa (Jeff) Workman of Las Vegas, NV,  Joan (Jeff) Kramer of Bernard,  Bill (Tammy) McDermott of Ely, Tom (Kris) McDermott of Cascade, Judy (Mike) Hayen of Scotch Grove, and John (Rebecca) McDermott of Cascade; and 26 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren with two more on the way; four brothers, Earl McDermott, Jerry (Shirley) McDermott, and Bob (Barb) McDermott all of Cascade, and Howard (Carol) McDermott of Monticello, two sisters-in-law, Maureen McDermott of Cascade, and Susie Luensmann of Delhi.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Ryan Kramer; one brother, Ken McDermott; one sister, Betty (Jack) Vance; sister-in-law, Mary McDermott; father and mother-in-law, John and Marcella (Schute) Luensmann; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary Luensmann, Lila Luensmann, Robert Luensmann, Irene (John) O’Brien, David (Kathleen) Luensmann, and Delrose (Tony) Broghammer.

In lieu of flowers, an Alan McDermott memorial fund has been established.

The family is extremely grateful for the staff of Hospice of Dubuque, Nurses and staff at Accura Health Center, Sherry Kelchen- ARNP, and Rev. Mark Osterhaus for all the wonderful care and support they gave to Alan.

A video tribute may be viewed, and online condolence may be given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com