December 11, 1953 – March 30, 2026
Mary M. (McNally) Kamish “Muggs,” 72, of Mason City, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the I.O.O.F Home in Mason City.
Mary was born December 11, 1953, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Earl F McNally and Rosanna E. (Pietersen) McNally. She attended grade school at Louisa Muscatine Elementary until the family moved to Manly, Iowa, where she completed her education.
On June 20th, 1970, she was united in marriage to Robert Kamish at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Manly, Iowa. To this union, two children were born. While they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends.
A few of Mary’s greatest accomplishments were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom held a special place in her heart. Mary held multiple part-time jobs throughout her life, but one in which she achieved great success was working as a waitress at Country Kitchen of Albert Lea for many years. A major achievement for Mary came at age 30, when she became Manly’s first female firefighter. Mary enjoyed having an abundance of beautiful flowers around her apartment and loved decorating for every holiday season with lights and bold decor. She enjoyed spending time with friends playing cards and bingo, attended every possible family event, and never missed the opportunity to root for her Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings.
Left to cherish her memory are her former husband, Robert Kamish of Albert Lea; son, Scott (Nikki) Kamish of Roseau; and daughter, Kara (Chad) of Alden; grandchildren: Tony (Melissa) Kamish, Samantha (Bryce) Adams, Alex Kamish, Logan (Hannah) Kamish, and Landon Kamish, Kaleb (Krista) Bendickson and Kaetlin (Ben Trio) Bendickson; great-grandchildren: Romeo, Lavinniah, Roman Kamish, and Riley Benson-Kamish; siblings: Carolyn Lane Smith, Kay Yezek, Pat (Cindy) McNally, and Michael McNally and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Richard, two sisters-in-law, seven brothers-in-law, and a nephew.
The family will host a Celebration of Life for Mary’s family and close friends on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 pm. at the Bendickson family home in Alden, MN (please text or call 507-402-0442 if you need the address). The family is so truly grateful to the staff at the Mason City I.O.O.F Home, who also kept Mom on her toes.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider planting your favorite flowers in your own garden to remember Mary each spring.
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