Ian Mcnamara

Ian Patrick McNamara, 31, passed away in an accident at his home in Pequot Lakes, his life of love encircled by his family and many friends. He was the youngest of three sons of Brian and Marie McNamara.

Memorial Mass 10:00 AM, December 14, 2021 at All Saints Catholic Church, Baxter, MN, with visitation one hour before the Mass. On behalf of the McNamara family, and out of an abundance of caution, they would like to request that Ian's Memorial Mass be watched via the livestream. To access livestream, go to https://www.blccnorth.org/ and click on link for Live-streamed Mass. The family would also share that they are planning a summer gathering in Ian's memory. Interment was held on November 26, 2021 at Maple Hill Cemetery, rural Pine River, MN, located 8 miles W of Hwy 371 on County Road 115, with clergy, family and friends offering prayers and blessings. Memorials to Fox Developmental Center Family and Friends, PO Box 314, Dwight, IL  60420, Catholic Relief Services, or your special charity.

Ian will be remembered for his beautiful smile, funny chuckle and kind and generous spirit. He enjoyed the outdoors, kayaking, darkhouse spearing and swimming across Loon Lake. He was very health conscious and kept a disciplined workout routine in his home and local gyms. He loved his Catholic faith and held a daily prayer meeting with God in addition to receiving the sacraments of the Church. He was always ready to pray for anyone in need and attended Catholic Mass regularly.

Travel adventures were always in his plans. He especially enjoyed visiting Arizona and Mexico, road trips with his parents, and impromptu bus trips and getaways to Mexico.

Ian attended Nativity of our Lord Catholic School in St. Paul, and later Pequot Lakes Elementary, St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School and Brainerd High School where he was very gifted in math, music, and science. His Catholic education gave him a solid foundation for study and life. His trumpet tones were strong and true, reaching our hearts. He went on to earn his BS in Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. While there, he enjoyed a semester in Venezuela that sparked his travel and cultural interests. After the U of MN he went on to work with the Conservation Corps on the North Shore of Lake Superior in outdoor service.  Most recently he was employed for three years at Grandview Lodge in Nisswa, where he was the horticulturist and later served in Public Areas, where his hard work was appreciated.

Ian is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Mary McNamara and John and Joan Klemp, and special Uncle Peter Klemp, whom he treasured and so kindly, bringing him for walks in his wheelchair in Dwight, Illinois, where he resided at the Fox Developmental Center.

Ian is survived by his parents, Brian and Marie McNamara, of Pequot Lakes, MN, and older brothers Leo (Jessica) McNamara, Minneapolis, and Brendan McNamara, St. Paul. He was a favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews, Nora, Maeve, Amir and Declan. He has a large loving Irish family, Godparents Frank and Peg Brantman, Jim McNamara, Patty and Ed McAuliffe, Nancy Baldassano, Maureen McNamara, Terry and Georgann McNamara, Molly and Charlie Sedivec, Joe and Mary Ann McNamara, Sheila and Sam Gioia, Sharon and Bob Lorang, and Eileen and Steve Boehm, David, Jeff and Todd Klemp, their families and many wonderful cousins that loved him.