Joseph "Joe" Montenguise

Joseph “Joe” Montenguise
of Ankeny, Iowa

Joseph “Joe” Montenguise, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born the son of Frank Joseph Montenguise and Ruth Virginia (Bentley) Montenguise on February 22, 1939, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Joe grew up in Des Moines and graduated in 1957 from Des Moines Tech High School. After high school, Joe joined the Iowa National Guard and also married the love of his life, his wife Ann. They met at a dance in ninth grade and were inseparable ever since. Joe stayed in the National Guard for six years and was honorably discharged, reaching the rank of Sergeant.

Joe had a special gift of fixing things—he worked as an automotive mechanic his entire life and retired as the shop supervisor for Bob Erickson Chevrolet in Milan, Illinois. He also added the hobby of woodworker, repairing and refinishing antiques throughout his retired years.

Joe was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed spending time on the Mississippi boating and fishing, and he especially looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Colorado with his son, grandsons and close friends. One of Joe’s biggest outdoor loves was golf, and he played almost daily until he was 85 years old. He was a man of many mulligans in each round with his well-known quote “I gotta hit another one – that’s all there is to it”. Joe was also a man of many stories that he shared with anyone he met.

Joe’s biggest love was his family. He was often found coaching his kids’ teams, running races with them around the house, and playing all types of games with them. When grandkids came along, he became Grandpa Joe-Joe and then Papa to his great grandkids.

Joe would say he had a great life with so many wonderful memories – he is inspiration for a life well lived. Those left to remember Joe’s stories are his wife Ann Montenguise, daughters Kellie (Doug) Gould and Tracy (Duke Burrell) Montenguise, grandkids Justin (Libby) Montenguise, Nate (Brooke) Gould, Josh (Kris) Montenguise, Nick (Corri Goldsmith) Burrell, and Korrie (Nate) Schlorholtz, and brother Al (Judy) Montenguise. Joe is also survived by eight great-grandchildren Maximo, Daniel, Luca, Irelynn, Giuseppe, Amara, Sullivan, and Sebastian.

Joe was preceded in death by his son Joseph Lynn Montenguise, parents Frank & Ruth Montenguise, siblings Frank Montenguise, Jim Montenguise, Jerry Montenguise, Judy Montenguise, JoAnn Dennis, Josephine Dahl, and Anthony Montenguise,

A private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Autism Society of Iowa in Joe’s honor.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHomes.com.

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