September 16, 1943 – January 19, 2026
Dennis Eugene McMurray, 82, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Services are pending with Hogan Bremer Moore Funeral Home of Mason City, Iowa, and will be announced at a later date.
Born in Mason City on September 16, 1943, Dennis was the son of Donald and Frances (Klang) McMurray. He was raised in the community he would call home for his entire life and graduated from Mason City High School. From an early age, Dennis was rarely still. He was a hard worker by nature, always busy, always fixing, always figuring something out. Mechanics weren’t just a job for Dennis; they were a calling.
Dennis devoted 36 years of his working life to Mason City Auto in the autobody department, earning a reputation as someone who could fix just about anything with patience, grit, and determination. Along the way, he also spent time driving an ambulance, serving others in moments when calm hands mattered most.
Cars were more than transportation to Dennis. In his younger years, he enjoyed racing, and even after he stepped away from the track, his love for motors never faded. He remained an avid fan, always appreciative of the skill and speed that first captured his attention.
On November 22, 1986, Dennis married the love of his life, Darlene Ross, in Mason City. Together, they built a life centered on family, raising four children and sharing decades of everyday moments, working, laughing, and simply being together.
Dennis was known for his stubborn, bullheaded streak, but those same traits made him dependable and loyal. If someone needed help, Dennis showed up. A self-taught mechanic to the core, he trusted his hands, his experience, and his instincts. In his later years, he found joy in simpler pleasures, tending his vegetable garden and creating lawn ornaments that reflected both his creativity and his hands-on spirit.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 39 years, Darlene McMurray; stepchildren, Julie (Mark) Edwards and Brenda Todd; children, Staci (Craig) Gray and Eric (Amy) McMurray; step-grandchildren, Kyle Hobbs and Jordan Todd; grandchildren, Breanna Gray, Dustin McMurray, and Dalton McMurray; step great-grandchildren, Taylor Hobbs, Carsyn Hobbs, Paeton Hobbs; great-grandchildren, Hayden McMurray, and Graysen McMurray; and his sister, Nancy (Jim) Fingalsen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Terry McMurray; and his step-grandson, Wraymond Todd; and grandson, Huxton McMurray.
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