Gerald M. McDaniel – age 85, of Laurens, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at the Laurens Care Center in Laurens, Iowa.

Gerald Murle McDaniel was born August 13, 1934 to Murle Delmar and Lois LaRena (Hixson) McDaniel on a farm near Schaller, Iowa. The family lived there about 5 years then moved to a farm near Bode, Iowa for a year then moved to Gilmore City, Iowa where they purchased a farm.

Gerald loved sports, he participated in football, basketball and baseball in high school, graduating from Gilmore City High School in 1953. A year later he began serving his country in the U.S. Army, serving part of the time stationed in Orleans, France. In June of 1956, he was honorably discharged and came home to farm with his father for a while. Shortly after he returned home from the service, he went rollerskating in Fort Dodge, Iowa and there he met his future wife, Alice Weidauer. On November 30, 1958, Gerald was united in marriage to Alice in Fort Dodge, Iowa. During their married life they farmed from 1958 to 1965 in the Gilmore City and Rockwell City areas. They were blessed with two sons, Howard and Kenneth during this time.   Their farm was sold in 1965 so they moved to an acreage between Pomeroy and Fonda and Gerald began work at the W.R. Grace Slurry plant in Fonda. When the fertilizer plant closed in Dec. 1969, Gerald began work at Mefferd Industries in Laurens, Iowa in Feb. of 1970. Later that year they purchased a home in Laurens. In January of 1976 he began McDaniel Electric and Appliance Repair, he retired in 2002.

Gerald was a member of First Christian Church of Laurens where he served as deacon, elder, chairman of the board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was CYF sponsor with Alice for 10 years. He was also a member of the Cub Scouts Board, Laurens Chamber of Commerce, Laurens Kiwanis Club, Laurens Zoning Board, Laurens Golf and Country Club and he and Alice were Grand Marshals of the Laurens Summer Street Fest Parade in 2002. He enjoyed golfing, camping and the activities all the grandchildren participated in and the activities at the high school. Gerald was a very easy going and patient person and loved to help others.   He loved music, sang solos in high school and church choirs, was part of the Fonda Centennial Choir, Laurens Centennial Choir, First Christian Church Centennial Choir and sang with Alice and her parents as a quartet.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alice; sons, Howard (Cheri) McDaniel of Urbandale and Kenneth McDaniel of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Gregory (Stephanie) McDaniel, Bethany (Matt) Pearson, Amanda (Marcus) Frerk and Jonathon (Becca) McDaniel; great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Elijah McDaniel and Ty and Chrysi Frerk; former daughter-in-law, Linda McDaniel of West Des Moines and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.