Cleoda M. Mikesch

Cleoda Mary Mikesch was born May 14, 1942, to Cletus and Christine McMahon in Manilla, Iowa and as a young girl moved to Des Moines. She was a 1960 graduate of East High School and later attended Grandview (College) University. Cleo worked as a secretary for Odea Finance, Broadlawns Hospital, and Des Moines General Hospital for many years. She was a longtime member of Chesterfield Christian Church and currently a member of The Well Covenant Church which she has attended since 2001.

On April 20, 1963 she married William (Bill) Clayton Mikesch and they had two sons, Michael (1967) and Matthew (1969). Over the years, they made many adventurous journeys which annually included Hancock, Michigan (Bill’s hometown) to spend a week or more at camp on Portage Lake. They also made many trips with their pickup camper to various new destinations in the United States which she loved. She was an early member of the “Chain Gang”, a bicycle group which rode many different trails in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Colorado which she really enjoyed. She was a devoted fan to her entire family whether she was watching on her computer or making trips around the country and even Europe to watch their games and events.

Cleo also developed many skills with her sewing hobbies, such as crocheting, knitting, and quilting which she gifted to many different people over the years as well as decorated her home. She was also an excellent cook and she made sure her family had well-rounded meals, including desserts. She enjoyed surprising Bill with a new recipe for dinner and getting his reaction. Her love for her entire family and her family of friends was always apparent, she cherished many memories with all of them.

The last 14 years cancer has taken its toll on her body with all the operations and treatments, and she is currently at peace with Jesus Christ whom she never lost faith in.

Cleo is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill; her son, Michael; her son, Matthew and his wife, Heather; granddaughter, Emily; grandsons, Jacob and Clayton; brother and sister-in-law, Cleon and Pauline McMahon and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews on both sides of the family, all of whom she greatly cherished. Known to her nieces and nephews as the “Greatest Aunt Ever”.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Clelia.

Services will be held at The Well Covenant Church, 2625 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 2, 2021. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2021. A luncheon will follow the service. The internment will take place at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Contributions may be directed to The Well Covenant Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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