Our beloved husband, father, brother and friend, Quentin (“Q”) Philip Minnehan, age 73, passed away on January 24, 2023, at his home surrounded by his immediate family. Quentin fought a courageous battle with cancer and was a role model for positivity and determination to live life to the fullest.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 449 E Ave., near Churdan with Father Tim Johnson as celebrant. Lois Last will be the organist and Greg Carrey as the song leader. The lector will be Delores Kenney. Gift bearers will be Denny and Elaine Taute and his earthly angels Ava Minnehan, Reese Golightly, Halle Minnehan, Penny Percival and Presley Percival. Eucharistic ministers will be John and JoAnne Lonergan. Mass servers will be Matthew and Maximus Hardy. Casket bearers will be Anthony Minnehan, David Minnehan, Matt Percival, Nate Byerly, Jon Minnehan, Austin Minnehan, Lance Glendenning and Richard Monahan. Honorary casket bearers will be Jason Minnehan, Michelle Minnehan, Kristin Percival, John Lonergan, Denny Taute, Larry Brus and Fred (Lucky) Henderson. Burial will be in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery near Churdan. The family requests your presence and fellowship for lunch and refreshments after the services at the St. Columbkille’s Parish Hall in Churdan.
Visitation will be held at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church near Churdan from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday evening January 27th with a Christian Wake Service held at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will resume Saturday morning from 9:30 A.M. to 10:15 A.M. at the church.
Quentin was born on April 29, 1949 to Philip (Bud) and Rosemary (Monahan) Minnehan. Quentin had two siblings, Elaine (Denny) Taute and John Minnehan. Quentin attended Lohrville Community School through 3rd grade and then transferred to Paton Churdan Community School where he graduated in 1967. After high school, Quentin attended Iowa State University until he was drafted by the United States Army. In 1969, he attended basic training and AIT in Fort Benning, Georgia. Quentin was assigned to advanced training and quickly promoted to Sergeant and then assigned to the Vietnam Conflict with the reconnaissance unit of the 101st Airborne Division as a Team Leader. During Quentin’s 20 months of service, he was recognized with numerous medals including two purple hearts, two air medals, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor, two Bronze Stars for Valor and the Gallantry Cross with a Bronze Star.
After Vietnam, he returned to Churdan to partner with his father to operate the family farm. Quentin’s love for the land and the craft of farming was evident. In addition to tending to the crops, he also raised many cattle and hogs. He went on to create Fancy Bar M during which time he specialized in breeding and showing Simmental cattle. Quentin was an avid businessman and always interested in staying current with the changes in the agriculture industry, and of course the weather and markets! Shortly after he returned to Churdan, he began to date the love of his life, Linda Reese. The two married on August 11, 1973, and later welcomed four children, Jason, Michelle, Matthew and Kristin.
Quentin was always very proud of his wife and children, but his grandchildren were his absolute pride and joy. Quentin enjoyed every moment he got to spend with his five granddaughters, Ava (15), Reese (14), Hallee (8), Penny (7) and Presley (11 months). Some of his most treasured moments with his family were spent in the summers at Lake Okoboji and often centered around fishing with the girls. Additionally, Quentin enjoyed playing cards and going on fishing trips with his friends.
Quentin was an avid storyteller and a family and local historian. Quentin loved nurturing the land, planting trees, tending to his orchard, and watching the crops grow. Quentin didn’t know a stranger and was always generous in lending a hand and advice.
Quentin was a lifelong member of the St. Patrick’s and St. Columbkille’s parishes. Quentin was active in the parishes and served as the President of the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Committee for more than 25 years.
Everyone who crossed paths with Quentin appreciated his charm, wit, and compassion. Quentin was widely known for his big heart, his kindness, and his gift of wisdom. Quentin lived a passionate life, focused on his family and nurturing and growing the family farming operation.
While Quentin was very blessed with many great moments, the loss of his son, Matthew Patrick Minnehan in 1995 was a tragic event that forever shaped his life and that of his family. Quentin was committed to remembering Matthew and put much time and effort into creating and maintaining a park on the family’s land dedicated to Matt’s memory.
Quentin is survived by his wife Linda (Reese), children Jason of Churdan, (wife Brooke and children Ava and Hallee), Michelle of Clive, (daughter Reese Golightly), and Kristin Percival of Urbandale, (husband Matt Percival and children Penny and Presley); siblings Elaine Taute (Denny) of Scottsdale, Arizona, John Minnehan of Churdan, and sister-in-law Nancy Croy (George) of Appleton, Wisconsin and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Quentin is proceeded in death by his parents Philip and Rosemary Minnehan, his in-laws William and Betty Reese, his son Matthew Philip Minnehan.
Heavenly greeters waiting for Quentin include: his parents and in-laws, Matthew Minnehan, Clint Minnehan, Denny Hardy, Ralph Earwood, Mark Mittlestadt, and many other dear family members and friends.
We would like to thank the many nurses, doctors and medical staff members that cared for Quentin over these last few years, including the St. Anthony’s Cancer Team, the Veterans Administration Hospital team of Carroll and the members of the Unity Point Jefferson Hospice team.
In memory of Quentin, we ask that you consider a donation to the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in care of JoAnne Lonergan.
