Michael LaFary
February 04, 2015
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Service Details
Michael Dean LaFary
Urbandale
Michael D. LaFary, 66, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He has selflessly gifted his body to Des Moines University. There will be no services held at this time.
Michael was born February 15, 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa to Harold and Betty LaFary. He enjoyed all sports.
Michael is survived by his brothers, Dale (Pat) and Roger (Kris); sister, Lelia; close friend, Teri Ostendorf; and a host of extended family and too many special friends to list. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be given to the family.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Joe Israel
01/15/2025
I have no words to express what a loss I feel with the passing of my great friend Mikey! I knew Mike for more than 60 years. We grew up in the same neighborhood and went our separate ways together. Sharing love of sports and music and bicycling along with an occasional cold one. He was one of a kind and as anyone who knew him will agree, we are all glad of that! The light in my life dims a little with his passing! I send my deepest sympathies to Teri, Roger and Dale. Love ya and I’ll miss you Mikey!
Sandy Scherrman
01/17/2016
A random Goggle search informed me recently of Mike's passing. I met Mike 43 years ago when I started working for the state of Iowa. I remember returning to the DEQ office from the comptroller's office and my boss informing me that the Mike I just met wanted to marry me - for the weekend. That started our friendship. Mike was the friend Paul and I asked to be our witness to be married and Mike asking us why get married. :>) Then after my divorce and for many years later we kept in touch through mutual basketball friends. I remember Mikes special trips and pictures (the ostrich egg from Africa). He was so proud of his siblings and had many pictures of all of them growing up. His sister meeting Elvis was his favorite story. I moved from Iowa a few years ago and am saddened that the Internet search found this news about my friend. Life is short and we realize it too late. How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose we know not, though sometimes sense it. But we know from daily life that we exist for other people, first of all for whose smiles and well- being our own happiness depends. - Albert Einstein
John and Chris Steege
02/13/2015
Mike was one of a kind, and we loved that about him. John and I will miss him! Mike knew me as a young girl since he worked for my dad (Verne Tanner) and then in later years we played volleyball with him...always trying to outdo him in the "same t-shirts" contests. Teri and LaFary family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Michael & Diane Neubauer
02/11/2015
Teri and the LaFary family, our deepest sympathies to all of you. I was lucky enough to have played volleyball with Mike for many years. I started off as a young boy on his mens team however he never treated me any different than any of the other guys on the team. From that young age he always gave me encouragement on and off the court. As I got older he was someone I looked forward to playing volleyball and discussing life in his unique way over a beer. He was a one of a kind and every memory of him brings a smile to me. Im saddened my kids never got the chance to meet him when they got older but they have heard many Hoops stories and he will always be in our memories.
Marilyn Corbin
02/10/2015
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. I just saw him outside the Hoover Bldg. a week before. Over 33 years, Mike always said Hello and talked with me about our mutual interest of scuba diving. A really nice guy, I'll miss him. My deepest sympathy to Mike and Teri's families.
Raymundo.....Ray Neubauer
02/10/2015
Hey Hoops...will miss ya man, so many memories both on and off the court. North High, Woodland Lounge, Simpson, Conrad, CR, Ames, Cedar Falls, Lincoln, Kansas City, Newton, Park Ave. Pub, just to name a few. Crazy, wild, good times in large part because of you, will remember them forever. My condolences and sympathy to Teri and Mike's family. RIP
Daveworthy
02/08/2015
I am greatly sadden to hear about Mikes passing. One of my best times in life were the many years playing volleyball. What a big part of those memories Mike was; as a friend, a teammate, and plain old character. His sense of humor would always bring a smile or laugh, whether we were losing or winning. My thoughts and prayers go out to Teri, Mikes family, and all the others Mikes life touched. My memories of Mike will always bring a smile in my life.
Art Dunbar
02/08/2015
Man, I will miss that guy! Who is going to "Huxley" our "Slaters"?
Dave & Beth Neppl
02/07/2015
Beth and I are very sad to hear about Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with Teri and Mike's family. Mike was one of kind, I don't think I have ever met anyone quite like him (after which he would certainly add "that's a good thing!"). The volleyball guys have so many stories involving Mike; I know when we get together, we'll continue to tell them and it will bring smiles to our faces (and sometimes shaking our heads, as well!). We consider ourselves lucky to have known Mike and his clever, unique perspective on life - he will be missed.
Roscoe Staffordovicinski
02/07/2015
What can we say?! Mike was a legend in our minds, not his. His volleyball friends' community was blessed with a great friend that new the value of regular communication in a time when we were all too busy to keep up with each other. We all remember the phantom postcards from far away places. And, we all have a smile on our face whenever his name is mentioned. Only Hoops could come into our v'ball huddle after we just gave up a 4-point run and ask, "who cut the cheese?" Thanks Teri, for coming into his life...peace!
Barb McNichols
02/06/2015
Mike will be missed, he taught me a lot during the 20 years of working with him. He was always telling me to keep learning, and that I did good when I would discovered a problem and would help fix it. I learned so much from him. I will miss Mike a great deal. A lot of people will miss him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dennis Howe
02/06/2015
I was so sorry to see of Mike's passing. He was my classmate and high school buddy (locker mate, etc). I used to pick him up and drive to ballgames, much fun! I can remember our junior year in high school when he was hospitalized and I visited him -- he was so sick and I was happy when he made it back to school. I wish we hadn't lost contact but I will always have fond memories of him. Sorry for your loss / RIP friend !!
Verne & Donna Tanner
02/06/2015
This message to Teri and Mike's family. I am so sorry for your loss and I suspect it is of little comfort to know we friends of Mike are also experiencing a major loss, too. I worked with Mike at the State for many years and will always remember his cheerfulness and quips.
He knew my daughters well, too, Christie Tanner Steege and Beckie Tanner Elder. After I left the State we seemed to run into each other regularly.
I'm sorry I didn't have the privilege to know you Teri. I left the State before you and Mike "found" each other.
He has touched many hearts and we will miss him.
Verne T. (or as Mike would always say "Mr. T)
Rich Youds
02/06/2015
I am so sad to hear of Mike's passing. Mike was a great guy and if he hadn't offered me a job almost 27 years ago, I'm not sure where I would be today. He was such a great boss and cared much more about you learning something than the actual assignment you were working on. I had the pleasure of working for Mike 5 years and since then communicated mostly via email. I regret that I lived an hour from Des Moines as Mike was someone that I always wanted to know better and spend more time with. He was one of the most unique and caring individuals that I ever met and always had a wonderful perspective on things. I will see you again some day Mike! Thanks for all the great times we had and all you did for me!
Tim Brand
02/06/2015
I am truly sorry for your loss. I had known Michael through various meetings between IT and Accounting for the 17 years while I worked for DGS and DAS.