Denise M. Mayo

January 22, 1955 - December 9, 2020

Denise Mayo, 65, of Manly passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at her home with her family at her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 East Spring Street, Manly, IA 50456. A livestream of the services will be on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/hoganbremermoore. Denise will be laid to rest at Manly Cemetery. Visitation and a public viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. As we practice social distancing, and follow regulations from the state and local government, the family greatly appreciates your patience and understanding. Denise Marie Dahl was born January 22, 1955 in Southern Minnesota, the eldest child of Maynard and Rosemary (Swenson) Dahl. Growing up in the Manly area Denise attended North Central High School, graduating with the class of 1973. On April 6, 1974 she married the love of her life, Clarence Mayo in Mason City. The couple was blessed with a son, Brad, and the family made their home in Manly. For around 20 years Denise worked at Mercy Medical Center, until she built her own cleaning business from the ground up, Denise’s Cleaning Service. She worked diligently to create an outstanding reputation for herself and her company. When she wasn’t working her life was at the track. She and Clarence spent countless days and weeks traveling the country to drag race. Together they gained numerous friends and people who could be considered family. Denise looked forward to traveling to the drag strip, always carefully packing and double checking the equipment needed for the trip. She was a true caretaker, always watching out for those she loved. She was a conversationalist and one of the most honest people around, even if you didn’t want to hear the truth. But, most of all, Denise loved her family. In May of 2017 Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer. For three years she battled with her family at her side. Hospice of North Iowa played an irreplaceable role in her care for the past week. Her family would like to extend the most sincere thanks to the staff and caretakers that assisted in making sure she was comfortable. Your acts of care and love will be remembered. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 46 years, Clarence Mayo; her beloved son, Brad (Danielle) Mayo of Mason City; grandson, Blaine Mayo; siblings, Dennis Dahl, Dani Dahl both of Mason City, and Debbi (Troy) Leewright of Manly; nieces and nephews, Nicholas (Ally), Jacob (Danielle), Lucas (Ileyah), Chad (Val), Jordan, Garrett (Kylie) and Natalie; numerous loved great-nieces and nephews; her mother-in-law, Margaret Funk of Mason City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gloria Fiedler, Tony Mayo, Felix Mayo , and Lucinda Summers; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, Maynard and Rosemary; a sister, Diane Dahl; and her father-in-law Louis Mayo.