Arthur “Doc” Howard Mally was born on the family farm outside of Altoona, Iowa on July 26, 1927. He was the first surviving child of Frank and Inez (Howard) Mally. Art, his two brothers Gene and Bill, and his sister Marlys lived in Berwick, Iowa where he attended elementary and high school. In spite of his asthma, which had few treatments at the time, young Arthur helped on the farm and was active in sports. Art graduated high school from Berwick in May 1941.

Arthur was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon returning to Iowa, Art was reacquainted with Aliene Hazel Barrett, whom he knew growing up. Art and Aliene married on September 17, 1954. During his early years of marriage, Art balanced a heavy load of attending Iowa State University while he raised two children, Robert and Patricia, helped on his family farm, and maintained a milk route. Arthur became “Doc” in 1961, when he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

“Doc” Mally and his young family moved to Lake City, Iowa in 1962. The newly-minted veterinarian purchased a practice and officially launched his first veterinary clinic from his home around Christmas of 1962. Doctor Mally soon became known for his wisdom and care for all creatures great and small and for the owners who loved them. The practice expanded into a clinic on Main Street and then added an additional practice in Lake View. Over the years, “Doc” and his partners cared for large and small animals in a seven-county area. Doc regularly presented at regional and national conferences and was part of an international delegation delivering hogs to Hong Kong in 1975.

In addition to his veterinary practice, Doc was active in a wide variety of community service. He was a member of Kiwanis and the Lake City Betterment Association and delivered food through the Meals on Wheels program. He helped to launch the renovation of the town square, assisted in the preservation of Central School in Lake City, and always maintained extensive flower beds in front of his home and his clinic. Additionally, he was the designated voice of horse pulls, the annual Lake City parade, and the local rodeo. He was an active member of the Lake City First Baptist Church until the congregation closed its doors.

Doc was a mentor to hundreds through the years, helping to inspire curiosity in all of his students. His students ranged from kindergarteners to newly graduated veterinary students. All who knew him were struck by both the depth and breadth of his knowledge. At times seeming to be without the capacity for exhaustion, for years Doc and Aliene hosted their four grandchildren, Leslie Olson, Devin Breese, and Chelsey and Clint Mally, during the summers. “Doc” officially retired from veterinary practice in 2015. However, he remained active in spirit for the remainder of his life.

Doctor Mally passed away early in the morning on October 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gene, wife Aliene, a great-grandson, and many adored pets. Art Mally’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he has touched, including those of his son Robert Mally, daughter Patricia Johnston, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

For as long as the trees and flowers he planted grow, for as long as the birds he loved sing, for as long as the students he inspired serve, and for as long as the animals he loved bring comfort to those in their care, the memory and legacy of Arthur H. Mally will live on.

Memorial donations will be used to create and maintain a remembrance garden for pets who have passed on. This place will be a celebration of both of the animals that gave their owners comfort and Dr. Mally, who provided care to beloved pets and their owners. 

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