Harold E. McDermott

Harold E. “Mick” McDermott, 82, of Sioux City passed away Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, November 28, 2016 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Daniel Rupp and Father Thomas McDermott, Mick’s nephew officiating.  Visitation will be from 3:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sunday, November 27, 2016 with the family present from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. There will be a rosary recited by the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus at 4:00 P.M. Sunday and a Vigil service at 7:00 P.M.  followed by a Chalice Service by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.  Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mick was born December 30, 1933 in Holstein, Iowa, the son of Harold and Rega (O’Neil) McDermott.  He graduated from Holstein High School in 1952 and received college degrees from Nebraska State College at Wayne, Nebraska, and the University of South Dakota.  He served in the U.S. Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant.  He taught school in Mill Valley, California, and at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High in Sioux City.  Harold served as principal at Woodrow Wilson for 12 years.  In 1978 he became Director of Special Services for the Sioux City Community School District in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1996.  He then was employed by the Boys and Girls Home as Regional Education Coordinator.  In 2001, he became adjunct Professor for Wayne State College, supervising student teachers in Iowa and Nebraska.

Mick was united in marriage to Joan E. Carlson on December 29, 1956, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City.  He was a member of the men’s choir and ushered for many years.  He was a member of St. Michael’s Church, Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree, National Eagle Scout Association, American Association of School Administrators, School Administrators of Iowa, Board of Directors of the National Special Services Administrators Association, Iowa State Education Association, Kiwanis, and Sertoma.  He was Executive Secretary of The Knife and Fork Club, past President of the Sioux City Education Association, Board of Directors of Siouxland American Red Cross, Board of Directors of Waco, Inc.  He received School Administrator of The Year Award in 1991.  He had four children and fourteen grandchildren.  Many happy years were enjoyed with his family at their lake home on Spirit Lake in Orleans, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife Joan McDermott; four children:  Mary and husband Chris Lesniak of Elkton, MD, Mike and wife Julie of Des Moines, IA, Mark and wife Page of Fairfax Station, VA, and Matt and his wife Cari of Elk Point, SD; and 14 grandchildren: Erik, Katherine, Shannon, Brigid, Molly, Anna, Daniel, Kelly, Morgan, Erin, Noah, Lauren, Alexis and Elizabeth.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Rega McDermott of Holstein, IA, and brother, Charles McDermott of Wayne, NE.

As Mick was so proud of his nephew, memorials may be directed to Dominican Fathers and Brothers, Province of Nigeria,  4504 21st Street,  Mount Rainer, Maryland 20712