Dan Mallaro, 85, passed away on March 20, 2024.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City. A funeral mass at Immaculate Conception Church to be held prior to interment, at a date to be determined.
Dan Mallaro was born May 13, 1938, in Buhl, Minnesota to Carl and Lois (Dawson) Mallaro.
At the age of 8, the family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa. Dan was proud to be from Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1956 and Iowa Central Community College in 1958 and two years later from Iowa State Teachers College, now UNI, with a degree in education. On September 5, 1959, he and Patricia Gray were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Dodge. After teaching for a year in Barnum, Iowa, he left to attend the University of Minnesota where he earned his first Master’s Degree in the emerging field of Guidance Counseling. In 1962, Dan and Pat moved to Charles City and Dan began his 39 year career as a guidance counselor at Charles City Community High School. Later Dan earned a second Master’s Degree from UNI in psychology. Dan and Pat were happily married for 48 years before she died in 2008. Later Dan found a second love in Dorothy Blonigen. Dan and Dorothy were married on June 30, 2012, and had a dozen years of happiness together. They moved to Cedar Falls in 2022 when additional care was needed.
Dan loved working with students to help them become the best versions of themselves, and he made an impact on many. Dan lived some basic values – education, work ethic, thrift and duty. He and his brothers were first generation college students. He expected his kids and grandkids to prioritize school and go to college. While his day job was guidance, he always worked other jobs to support his family, with a painting business being foremost. Mostly his “free time” was spent working. He never complained and never missed work. Dan was known to stretch a dollar. Even when dementia had ravaged his brain and he could remember next to nothing, he still remembered to be tight with a buck. Duty, for Dan, meant to do what you’re supposed to do and to treat people with respect and dignity. Dan was also a great listener, always curious and swore way too much. He was known for handwritten notes and letters filled with encouragements, congratulations, questions and stories. He made a tradition of sending a handwritten letter to each of his nine grandkids four times a year – Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas and their birthdays.
Dan served as a city councilperson in Charles City for two terms. He was a member of the library board and was the secretary for the Noon Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He rode on RAGBRAI twice. Dan liked to play cards and he played in several bridge groups. He loved to read, share family history and travel. One of his favorite trips was traveling with his two brothers to Italy where they visited the village of their ancestors.
Dan is survived by Dorothy; his children: Brian, Mike (Traci) and Karen (Brian) Yusko, nine grandchildren: Jack Mallaro (Merci), Kara Mallaro, Hannah Mallaro (Gabe Gedlinske), Sophie Mallaro, Helen Yusko, Sam Yusko, Bridget Yusko, Kendall Mallaro, Ava Mallaro and his brother, Tom Mallaro.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pat; parents; brother, Jack Mallaro; many family members and many friends.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Charles City Educational Foundation.
Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.
