Grady Maharry

Private Family Graveside Celebration of Life Services will be held for Grady Maharry, age 70, of Lenox, who passed away April 21, 2020 at the Lenox Care Center. Open visitation will be held Thursday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM. Due to Covid-19 there will be no family present. Please make your visit brief and limit the number in the building to 10 or less. Interment will be held at the Hopeville Cemetery south of Murray, Iowa. Memorials may be given in his name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox, where we 'Celebrate Life'.

William Grady Maharry was born July 26, 1949, in Creston, Iowa the son of Leland Eldon Maharry and Lucille Doris (Gripp) Maharry. He grew up on the family farm near Kent, Iowa, and attended Platte No. 9 Country School. His middle school years were spent in Osceola, Iowa. The family returned to Creston in 1964, and he graduated from the Creston High School with the Class of 1968. After graduation, Grady attended Southwestern Community College for one year. He then attended Northwest Missouri State University, and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education.

Grady taught briefly in Bethany, Missouri. However, he began dealing with mental illness, a battle he fought throughout his life. Much of his life was spent near his family in Lenox, Iowa. He was a talented artist who especially enjoyed painting, ceramics and sculpture. Grady also enjoyed family trips to Okoboji during the summer, and he loved antiquing with family. Most of all he enjoyed his nieces and nephews, and attending their activities.

Left to cherish Grady’s memory are his sister, Sandra Harris of Creston, Iowa; his brother, Fred Maharry and wife Robin of West Des Moines, Iowa; six nieces and nephews, Sara Anderson and husband Marc of Eldora, Iowa; Jennie Samo and husband Ryan of Creston, Iowa; William Harris of Creston, Iowa; Jessie Harris and wife Emily of South St. Paul, Minnesota; Robert Maharry and fiancé Kellie Collins of Conrad, Iowa; and Emily Mohling and husband Jake of Granger, Iowa; ten great-nieces and nephews, Ellie, Lucy, Garrett and Sophie Anderson; Harris, Clara and Nolan Samo; Heston and Vivienne Harris; and Charlotte Harris; along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Grady in death were his parents, Leland and Lucille Maharry; his special aunt, Mabel Pine and her husband Alan; and his brother-in-law, Dr. Dan Harris.

We will forever hold Grady’s memory in our hearts.

May he be at peace in God’s loving care.