Miguel 'Mike' Saenz Obituary

Miguel Angel Saenz passed peacefully Monday, January 6th at the age of 88 surrounded by family. He was born November 27th, 1936, to Don Miguel Saenz Flores and Humbelina Saenz Zumbado in Heredia, Costa Rica. He met his wife Ginger Ann Dashiell while attending college in Missouri earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering. They married in 1960 and moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1963. Miguel worked at the same location (Armstrong/Pirelli) Titan Tire for 52 years, retiring at the age of 79. He loved Soccer and played for the East Des Moines Soccer Club where he continued his passion with coaching and refereeing into his 60’s.

He would tinker with electronics, figure out incredible equations and whatever broke in our house he could fix it and often with just a little ingenuity and duct tape. He had a minor obsession with the Dollar store and Menards which he visited weekly and made sure the family knew of any great deals. In his things there are many calculators, lights and “several” containers that held random nails, washers, screws, and bolts that given enough time would someday be needed.

Having 5 girls he made sure we knew how to stand on our own. He taught us the basics of life, everything from fixing things in our homes to fixing things on our cars. He helped us figure out finances and make good choices. He made us laugh often with his incredible sense of humor by sending funny pics/stories to us as well as his family in Costa Rica. Some were inappropriate but still funny.

His loving, giving nature was evident in the way he always included the neighborhood children in the games he set out for his own daughters. He was always available to catch a pitch, kick a ball, or take a group on a quick bike ride around the block when he got home from work. In the winter he would round up a group to take to the nearby golf course for a day of sledding. If there wasn’t a game to play, he made one up and he continued these “made up games” with his grandchildren and great grandchildren who were the light of his life all the way up to his last days.

The man who always had a piece of candy in his pocket or a coin in his Costa Rican leather pouch will be forever in our hearts.

Preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Ana and Angela, and Wife, Ginger. Survived by: Daughters; Ana (Pat), Xenia, Maria, Victoria, Diana (Mark). Grandkids; Dashiell, Tabbatha (Christopher), Tori (Josh), and R.J. Great Grandkids; Autumn and Zennon. Sisters; Virginia and Carmen.

Mike’s family will greet friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday, January 17, 2025 at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30am, Saturday, January 18, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3300 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. Interment at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines will follow the funeral.

The service will be live streamed on the Iles website. Go to www.ilescares.com just before 10:30am Saturday and scroll to the bottom of Mike’s obituary for the link to join the service.


ILES GRANDVIEW PARK CHAPEL

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Miguel 'Mike' Saenz, please visit our Tribute Store.