To live stream Daryl's Funeral Service please follow the link. youtu.be/SGeTvVnZjQU

Daryl L. Thomason, 94, of Ames, died March 11, 2022, at Israel Family Hospice House. Daryl was born in January of 1928 in Eagle Grove, IA and moved to Ames in 1935 with his family. Daryl graduated from Ames High School in 1945 and then attended Iowa State University for a semester. He then served in the army for 16 months in Oahu, Hawaii at the Helamano Radio Relay Center. After returning, Daryl attended Drake University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Daryl married Jennie Maxine Severson on June 22, 1952, at the First United Methodist Church in Ames. Daryl worked at Western Auto in Lincoln, NE and Duluth, MN. He then taught high school social studies in Glenwood, IA and Toledo, IA. Finally, Daryl was employed with the State of Iowa Employment Security Commission (nka Iowa Workforce Development) for 32 years, retiring as a Systems Analyst in 1990.

Daryl and Maxine moved to their rural property in January 1963. Daryl enjoyed the large yard and planted many trees. The yard was spacious for their beloved German Shepherds, having five over the years. Each dog had a different personality - the last one (Jet) was the most spoiled. Daryl enjoyed being outdoors and working in the yard. He did various construction projects, including a house addition and a screened in porch. Daryl was very skilled and did his plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. Daryl and Maxine maintained a large garden and a hill for sledding across the road.

Daryl rode a motorcycle until he was 80. He had three Harley Davidsons and two Hondas. One of the Harleys had a side car that Maxine rode in on their dates. Daryl and Maxine enjoyed going on summer vacations, driving to many locations, including Alaska. Daryl loved to camp; hike; play various card games, Chinese checkers, and ping-pong on his homemade ping-pong table. He enjoyed good conversation and had quite a sense of humor. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1958. Daryl was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, and friend.

Daryl is survived by his wife, Maxine; son, Laverne, of Des Moines; daughters, Lorraine (Doyle) Uitermark, of Ames, and Mary-Ellen (James) Bartels, of Bennington, NE; grandchildren, Tara Nelson, Michaela Bartels, and Justin Bartels; great-grandson, Tyler Nyhus-Nelson; two first cousins; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Duane Severson; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Severson, Elaine Smith, and Juanita White.

Daryl was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Ruskin; sister, Mary Thomason; and grandson, Amos Nelson.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 17th at First United Methodist Church in Ames, followed by the funeral at 11:30 and luncheon. A 1:30 p.m. burial will be at Walnut Grove Cemetery five miles southeast of Ames.

Memorial gifts will be donated by the family to First United Methodist Church in Ames and Story County Animal Shelter in Nevada. Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/