Maynard J. Garman

Maynard Joseph Garman, age 88, formerly of Winterset, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on February 26, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines Iowa.

Maynard was born on his great grandparents’ farm in East Fork township, North Dakota, on February 29, 1936, making him a leap year baby on which he won many bets later in life when someone would ask his age.

At a young age, the family moved to Devils Lake, North Dakota. As a teenager, he worked for a contractor helping to build the courthouse.

At age 18, Maynard joined the U.S. Army and served for 3 years. After his time in the service, Maynard met Emma Jean Thompson. The couple were married on December 26, 1961. Maynard and Jean moved to Montana with their 2 children, and this is where Maynard started work as a lineman. During their time in Montana, the couple had 2 more children. In 1966, the family moved to Iowa, where they would have 2 more children, and this is when Maynard began work with the IBEW Local 55 in Des Moines, Iowa, until his retirement. After retirement, Maynard worked part-time at the fairgrounds in Des Moines.

With his job as a lineman, the family moved around a lot. Some of the children's fondest memories were of their home in Audubon, Iowa, where they resided the longest, and their homes in Wheatland, Wyoming and Eddyville, Iowa. After their 4 oldest children graduated, Maynard and Emma Jean, with their 2 youngest children, finally settled in Winterset, Iowa where they lived many years until Emma Jean's passing in 2015, after which Maynard moved to Des Moines where he lived close to family until his passing.

Some of Maynard's favorite pastimes were doing his crossword puzzles, playing cards, hunting, fishing, gambling, and enjoying a beer with friends and family.

Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Hildegarde Garman; his wife, Emma Jean Garman; a sister, Geraldine Wilcox; 3 brothers, LeRoy Garman, Stanley Garman, and Eugene Garman; 2 brothers-in-law, Al Alfredson and Jack Steinle; and a sister-in-law, Maggie Garman.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Renee (Mike) Timmons, Rudy Wall, Rick Garman, Ron (Kelly) Garman, Robin (Mike) Webb, and Rhonda (Charlie) Moorehead; 2 brothers, Daniel (Joyce) Garman and Pat (Jan) Garman; 2 sisters, Donna Alfredson and Debbie Steinle; 2 sisters-in-law, Marlis Garman and Yvonne Garman; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a couple of great great grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and longtime friend, coworker, and travel buddy, Ed Kooker.

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