10/21/2026
Getting to Know Your Brother
This week, we're pleased to introduce Right Worshipful Brother Guy McCausland, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
Here is Brother Guy's story, in his own words:
I was born in Clinton, Iowa and was raised in rural Camanche. My father and grandfather both shared my first name, Guy. My son Brett's middle name is Guy. My father was a railroad engineer and mother was a homemaker. I have an older sister, Mary Lou. I should mention too, my father Guy was a Mason and my biggest Masonic regret is not having had the opportunity to share my Masonic journey with him as he passed away before I took the first step in Masonry as an Entered Apprentice.
While attending Morningside College, the second semester of my senior year, I met the love of my life, Shelley. She was a nursing student at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. We married just over one year later on May 26, 1979, near Storm Lake. Shelley and I are blessed with four children, Lindsay, Brett, Kelsay and Katelyn. We have since been keeping busy with the seven grandchildren we have in our close knit-family. Our grandchildren range from 14 years to 11 months of age. Our son, Brett, is a Master Mason and is a Past Master of Camanche Lodge No. 60.
My employment career has been mostly in criminal justice. I was employed for ten years in law enforcement before changing to that of a Probation/Parole Officer for the Seventh Judicial District and State of Iowa. I retired nine years ago! I have also owned and operated a production sawmill as well as a fitness center through the years.
Hobbies are long-term for me; they are both rewarding and challenging. I have a woodworking shop that keeps me occupied and I mostly enjoy building Stickley-style furniture. I am truly a novice and incredibly slow with finishing a project, but usually enjoy the end result. I have been involved in coaching high school athletics for thirty years. I mostly coached football, but also coached some wrestling and track and field as well. I also stay active at the gym three to four days per week.
Faith and service are also central to my life. We belong to First Methodist Church in Clinton, where I am involved with our church safety team and double as an usher.
In regards to volunteering in our community, in addition to church and school, my Lodge is very involved in our community. To be honest, I am very proud of my Lodge and my Lodge Brothers given the positive effect we have in Camanche and Clinton through our community involvement. Hey, that's what we should be doing, right!
My first exposure to Masonry was actually with the Iowa Shrine Bowl when I was invited to play in the game. Wow, what an amazing experience that was and continues to be so many years later. A few years after college, my father pulled me aside and brought up the subject of Masonry. Of course I was young and dumb, and respectfully declined having any interest at that time. Eighteen months later, Dad passed from complications of cancer. Following his Masonic service three days later, I had a petition in my hand and have not looked back. I know Dad is looking down from heaven with a smile.
I was raised a Master Mason on September 29, 1981 at Camanche Lodge No. 60, where I served as Master in 1986, 2009, and 2025. At the Grand Lodge level, I served Iowa Masons as Senior Grand Deacon (2019-2020), and as Deputy Grand Master (2023-2024) and now presently as Senior Grand Warden. I was appointed to the Public School Support Committee (2020-2021) and have served on the Lodge Service Committee from 2021 to the present. Additionally, I am a member of the KAABA Shrine, the Royal Order of Scotland, and the Clinton Valley Scottish Rite, where I currently serve as Personal Representative.
A few years back our Lodge hosted a special evening for Right Worshipful Brother Sam McKenrick to present him with his fifty-year certificate and pin.
Sam was asked toward the end of the evening what Masonry had meant for him through his long time membership. As he pondered the question, Sam responded "Well that is somewhat of a tough one to answer, but I can tell you this: I am awfully glad that I haven't gone through life without it". Words of wisdom and truth for each and every one of us.
