Michael Maurice Daly was born on March 1, 1940, in Midland, South Dakota to Maurice and Ethel (Brady) Daly. He attended Ottumwa Country School through 8th grade. Mickey then attended Philip High School and was class president his senior year. He graduated in 1959.

Mickey was married to Kathleen Feller in 1958 in Quinn and to this union Debra, Brennan, Stacey, Brady, and Angie were born. They lived on the family ranch south of Ottumwa. After Kathy’s passing, Mickey was married to Judy Anderson in 1971 and they welcomed Patrick and Steve.

Anyone who had Mickey in their life would say he had a big personality. He was very energetic and full of life. He never experienced any emotion halfway; he never hid his feelings. Mickey loved to laugh, and he loved to be around people. He never met a stranger. When he entered a room, you knew he was there.

One’s values say a lot about someone, and I would say Mickey valued work ethic. Mickey was a hard worker and respected others who believed in a hard day’s work. He was a soul from the old west, right out of a John Wayne movie.

Mickey’s father worked the railroad, and his ranch. His mother broke horses and did it without losing her cigarette. That’s where Mickey’s passion for horses came to play. Mickey did not grow up soft, as they say. In his younger years, he was a pig and sheep rancher, but he decided one day to switch to cattle, and the transition was literally made in a few short days.

Mickey enjoyed saddling up the horses with his grandchildren and taking them to move cows. Mickey was a long-time member of Saint William Catholic Church. It's impossible to sum up a life in a few paragraphs, a rich life full of both joy and sorrow, winters and summers, and rich with stories forgotten in time, but anyone who knew Mickey will never forget him.

Survivors include four children Brennan (Vicki) Daly of Midland, Stacey Daly of Wall, Brady (Radka) Daly of Hartford, and Steve (Julie) Daly of Midland; two step-daughters Janet (John) Abrahamson of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lynette Clay of Murdo; 13 grandchildren, Brooke Sammons, Casey Sammons, Megan Schreiber, Ali Bessler, Olivia McMann, Kip Daly, Ashley Daly, John Daly, Brett Daly, Jack Blanusa, Carson Daly, Danika Blanusa, and Dane Daly; 9 great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mickey was preceded in death by his first wife Kathleen “Kathy” Feller Daly; two daughters Debra Ann Daly at infancy and Angie Blanusa; a son Patrick Daly; his parents Maurice and Ethel (Brady) Daly; two brothers Paul and George Daly; and one sister Doris Daly Blanusa.

Memorial visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. with a Christian Funeral Vigil beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Committal will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.