Vivian A. Witham

December 6, 2011

Vivian A. Witham, 105, of Austin, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at the St. Marks Lutheran Home in Austin. Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 10, at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Reverend Karen Behling officiating. Interment will be in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from noon until the time of the services. The family prefers memorials to the Our Saviors Lutheran Church.  

Vivian Anita Ausen, was born on January 15, 1906 at Odin, Minnesota, the daughter of Gilbert and Margaret (Arneson) Ausen. She graduated from the Lake Mills, Iowa, High School and attended Normal School. She taught in country schools near Decorah and Lake Mills. Vivian was married to Howard Witham in October of 1929, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Parsonage in Austin, Minnesota. The Witham's lived in Lake Mills, Blue Earth and Fairmont, Minnesota. After her husband's death Vivian moved to Austin.

Vivian has been a long time resident of the Twin Towers and The Cedars of Austin. She was a member of the Our Saviors Lutheran Church and a former member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Vivian was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. She was also an excellent cook and gardener and enjoyed sharing the efforts of her work and stories of her gardening. She also liked to sew and do embroidery.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; son, William; grandson, Jon Berg; granddaughter, Audrey Witham; great-grandson, Zachary Witham; two brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her children, Norma Berg of Houston, Texas, Stan and Shirley Witham of Osage, Audrey and Jack Hastings of Austin, Minnesota; daughter-in-law, Pat Witham of Ephrata, Washington; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Jacobson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.

The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.

Kermit Huebner

December 20, 2011

Kermit Irving Huebner, age 85, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at his home in Grafton, surrounded by his family after a short battle with brain cancer. 

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, December 19, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with Pastor Mark Decker officiating. Following the memorial service, there will be a time for lunch and fellowship at the church. Private family inurnment services will be held in the Grafton Cemetery at a later date. There will be a flag presentation by the Grafton American Legion Post 616.

Kermit Huebner, was born on June 18, 1926 in rural Grafton, to Irving and Lilly (Tabbert) Huebner. He graduated from the Grafton High School in 1944. Kermit served in the U.S. Army, spending a year in Germany. He worked for Western Union, Grafton Implement, Sugar Beet and Waters Electronics. He also worked in the trucking business and later started his own radio and television business and a paint contracting business. He was currently employed as the caretaker and groundskeeper for the Grafton Cemetery.

Kermit was a volunteer fireman for 15 years, served on the town council, was a member of various boards for the Emmanuel Church and was a member of the American Legion. Kermit married Elaine Bublitz on August 6, 1950, in Grafton and together they raised four daughters. His greatest love after family was music. Kermit was well known throughout northern Iowa for his musical talent. Kermit and his keyboard were often seen at celebrations which included Turkey Days, area nursing homes and several Kensett Variety Shows. He was also a member of the "Rhythm Masters" band. Kermit had a great talent in woodworking and enjoyed crafting furniture for his family.

Kermit is survived by his wife, Elaine of Grafton; his daughters, Jeannine (Bob) Peterson of St. Ansgar, Deborah (Gary Orth) Huebner of Zimmerman, Minnesota, Cheryl Huebner of St. Ansgar and Pat (Mike) Clark of St. Ansgar; sister, Darlene Greenway of Sebring, Florida; mother-in-law, Lucille Bublitz of St. Ansgar; brother-in-law, David (Debby) Bublitz of Carpenter; his good friend and cousin, Dale (Carol) Huebner of Mason City; and his special furry friend, Henry.

Proud to call him "Grandpa" are Ara (Corey) Lotzer, Arik (Shelly) Peterson, Matthew Kleckner, Luke (Jhumki) Kleckner, Christina (Mike) Hultman, John Kleckner, Joe (Kara) Walk, Sam Walk, Josh (Amy) Walk, Taya Walk, Michael Schaub and friend, Liz Urbatsch, Harmony Clark and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law, Harold Bublitz.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Ardis Dieterich

December 20, 2011

Ardis "Ardie" Dieterich, age 86, of Osage, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 17, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, Osage, with Rev. R. Dawson Tornes officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Ardis Carol Dieterich, was born on September 13, 1925 in Mitchell County. She was the daughter of Myron and Pearl (Olsen) Maakestad. Ardie was baptized and confirmed and was a lifelong member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, rural Osage. She attended rural school and graduated from the Osage High School in 1944. After graduation, she was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. On November 2, 1946, she was united in marriage to Fred Dieterich of Rudd, Iowa, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with three sons, Maurice, Michael and Jim. Fred and Ardie farmed in the St. Ansgar area until 1987, when they retired and moved to Osage.

She enjoyed many types of music, hand work, cooking and baking. Ardie and Fred enjoyed their family and going to see their grandchildren in all of their activities. She also appreciated her many good friends and neighbors.

 Ardie is survived by her husband, Fred Dieterich of Osage; her son, Maurice (Dianne) Dieterich of Shelby Township, Michigan and sons, Nathan and Nikolas; her son, Michael (Lori) Dieterich of Burlington and sons, Gregory and Matthew; her son, Jim (Ruth) Dieterich of Galesburg, Illinois and children, William, Joel and Kristina; one brother, Gene (Barbara) Maakestad of Osage; one niece; three nephews; and one sister-in-law, Betty Dieterich of Osage.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Ardis Kathleen; and one brother-in-law, Hubert Dieterich. 

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Lorraine Thome

December 20, 2011

Lorraine Genevieve Thome, 84, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 19, 2011, at the Adams Nursing Home after a short illness.   

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 22, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Adams. Visitation will be held at the Adams Funeral Home on Wednesday, from 3-7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before the services on Thursday, at the church.  

Lorraine was born on August 23, 1927 in Northwood, Iowa, to Ole and Amy (Hansen) Johnson. She was raised on a farm near Northwood until she lost her mother at the age of 13. The family then moved to a farm near Lyle, where she went to live with her Aunt June to finish her high school. On September 26, 1944, she married Wilfred Thome in Johnsburg, Minnesota. The couple lived and raised their five children on a farm near Stacyville, where they had an award winning herd of Registered Holsteins. In 1992, they retired and moved to Adams. 

She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, Christian Mothers and the Cedar River Country Club. She enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, playing all kinds of cards, dancing, gardening, lawn work, flowers, baking, embroidering, playing scrabble, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and traveling. She carried on her Norwegian heritage by making Lefsa, rosettes, and going to lutefisk dinners.   

She is survived  by her five children, Judy (Jim) Dahl of Dodge Center, Minnesota, Dean (Elaine) Thome of Stacyville, Jeanette Retterath of Adams, Minnesota, Beth Hackenmiller of Owatonna, Minnesota and Amy (Tom) Warrington of Whittemore; 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Pat) Johnson; two sisters-in-law, Phylis Johnson and Betty Johnson; and one brother-in-law, Naven Knutson. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred Thome; son-in-law, Tom Retterath; parents; brothers, LaVerne Johnson and Orland Johnson; and sisters, Alice Bork and Doris Knutson. 

Memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart School in Adams.

Kermit E. Bergan

December 27, 2011

Kermit E. Bergan, age 68, of Decorah, died on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at the Wellington Place in Decorah.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 27, at the Hauge Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Ronald Fretheim officiating. Inurnment was in the church cemetery.

Kermit Eugene Bergan, was born on October 16, 1943, at home in rural Decorah, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Elnora (Jaastad) Bergan. He was baptized on October 31, 1943 at the Hauge Lutheran Church. He lived at home with his family, first on the family farm near the Hauge Lutheran Church and later in Decorah after the family moved into town. At the age of 53, in September 1996, he became a resident of Wellington Place. He really enjoyed outings in the car and seeing people.

Kermit is survived by his brother, Arnold (Mary) Bergan of Osage; two nephews and one niece, Jeff (Sharyn) Bergan and their children, Sam, Emily, Nick and Taylor of Norwalk, Jay (Charlotte) Bergan and their daughter, Jessica of Des Moines and Jodie (Terry) Weeks and their daughters, Isabell and Sophia of Ankeny.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence on May 12, 1981; his mother, Elnora on January 4, 2002; one brother, Richard on January 18, 1951; and his uncle, Morris Bergan on September 2, 2010.

Arrangements by the Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com

Gloria E. Skuster

December 27, 2011

Gloria E. Skuster, 83, of Charles City, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2011, at Cedar Health, Charles City. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 29, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Charles City, with Pastor Jane Keel officiating. Entombment will be in the Sunnyside Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City, from 5-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to the services.

Gloria Evaun (Ellefson) Skusters was born on May 8, 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Sigvart and Orpha (Flack) Ellefson. She graduated from the Osage High School in 1946 and from St. Olaf College. She went on to attend Fairview Nursing School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On August 27, 1950, she was united in marriage to Gordon Skuster in Osage. They lived and farmed north of Osage, moving to Charles City in 1967. After the birth of her three eldest sons, she returned to Fairview and became a nurse anesthetist. She worked full time for The Surgical Associates of Charles City from 1967 until her retirement in 1993. During this time Gloria administered anesthesia and provided compassionate nursing care to many patients in the Charles City, New Hampton, Cresco and Osage Hospitals.

Gloria's family was very important to her. She was very kind and supportive and would always find the best in every person she met. She cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout the years, Gloria attended countless children's events and activities and was actively involved in every part of her family's lives.

Gloria's generous spirit will be fondly remembered. In addition to her career as a caring nurse, she had a zest for living and enjoyed sewing, painting, fishing, and camping. She had a beautiful voice and one of her favorite activities was singing with the Sweet Adelines. She loved to travel with her husband Gordon, and enjoyed visiting her friends and family across the United States. Gloria was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church for over forty years, during which time she served the church in many capacities. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

Living family members include five sons and their wives, Eric and Patty Skuster of Waverly, David and Janis Skuster of Stewartville, Minnesota, Paul and Ann Skuster of Charles City, Tim and Denise Skuster of Salt Lake City, Utah and William and Sally Skuster of Salt Lake City, Utah; ten grandchildren, Christopher, Kimberly, Kara, Andrew, Cassandra, Nathan, Megan, Garrett, Colton, and Nolan Skuster; two great-grandchildren, Mason and Tjaden; and one sister, Shirley Guthart of Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon in 2006; two granddaughters, Kelsey and Sarah Skuster; and a brother in infancy, John Robert Ellefson.

The Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City, is in charge of the arrangements.

Esther A. Doane

December 27, 2011

Esther A. Doane, age 99, of Little Cedar, died on Sunday, December 25, 2011, at the Faith Nursing Home in Osage. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, December 30, at the Little Cedar United Methodist Church in Little Cedar, with Pastor Gary Gilbert officiating. Burial will be in the Liberty Cemetery at Little Cedar. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Esther was born on March 19, 1912 in Hazelton Township, Buchanan County, Iowa and was the oldest daughter of Kyle and Elsie (Shephard) Eastman. Esther married Leonard Doane on May 1, 1937, in Osage. They farmed northeast of Little Cedar from 1937 until their retirement. Esther also worked as a cook for the Little Cedar School and was a member of the Little Cedar United Methodist Church. She resided at the family farm from 1937 until 2007, when she moved to the Faith Assisted Living in Osage.

Esther is survived by two sons, Wayne "Jack" (Jeanette) Doane of El Cajon, California and Delbert "Dutch" (Carol) Doane of Little Cedar; two grandsons, Dan Doane and Steve Doane of El Cajon, California; three granddaughters, Suzanne (John) Anderson of Moscow, Idaho, Rita Bunting of Indianola and children, Alex, Trey and Cameron and Lynn Howe of Riceville and children, Tyler and Olivia; two sisters, Lois Edgeton of Pine River, Minnesota and Shirley Bucknell of Adams, Minnesota; one brother, Herbert Eastman of Mankato, Minnesota; and two sisters-in-law, Mildred Eastman and Sharon Eastman of Riceville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard in 1985; one grandson, Robert Doane; one sister, Lelah Barnes; and six brothers, Dale, Clinton "Bus", Homer, Roger, Amos and Jim Eastman.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Walter Adams

December 27, 2011

Walter Joseph Adams, age 80, of Stacyville, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 31, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, with Father Jack McClure, CPPS, officiating. Burial will be in the Visitation Catholic Cemetery with military honors at the grave by the American Legion Hale Penney Fuller Post 569 of Stacyville. Friends may greet the family from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the services at the church on Saturday.

Walter was born on April 24, 1931 at Stacyville, Iowa, to Ernest and Clara (Thome) Adams. He graduated from the Visitation High School in Stacyville in 1949. He worked for a water tower painting company in Cresco, Iowa, right out of high school and Hatten and Sons and Stacyville Lumber Company when he returned from serving his country. He served in battle during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953 when he was honorably discharged. On April 24, 1954, he married Joan Ulven of Austin, Minnesota, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville. Walter began his own painting and decorating business in 1963, painting barns, houses, interior decorating, interiors of area churches and lettering signs.

Walter served on the Stacyville Fire Department for 60 years and was very proud of the new fire station. He served as Chaplain of the American Legion Hale Penney Fuller Post 569 of Stacyville, taking care to put out the flags on Memorial Day and kept records of the cemetery plots. He served as a Cub Scout Leader for several years, receiving the Scouter's Key. He served on the Commercial Club and was instrumental in the formation of the annual Stacyville Bratwurst Daze when the carnival came to town. Following in his father's footsteps, he was the custodian of the Stacyville Cemetery located west of Stacyville and took pride in its upkeep and gathering history of those buried there. Walter's favorite holiday was Christmas, enjoying seeing generations of children visiting with Santa for over 60 years. He enjoyed getting together with his family every Friday night for beer and cards.

Walter is survived by his wife, Joan Adams of Stacyville; his children, Julie (Allyn) Brumm of Stacyville, Janet (Gerry) Probst of Appleton Wisconsin, Jay (Mary) Adams of Stacyville, Jude (Kenny) Adams of Stacyville, Jo (Brian) Saltou of Riceville and Julene (Randy) Mueller of Stacyville; grandchildren, Corissa Meek, Allison Hemann, Scott Brumm, Michelle Gossen, Carie Fischer, Candi Probst,  Cathy Rosenow, Paula Beyer, Kyle Adams, Kory Adams, Kelly Adams, Ray Mueller, Sarah Mueller; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Alexis Meek, Raelei and Austin Hemann, Bryanna Vokoun,  Abbey, Avery and Aidan Gossen, Anna Hatton and Gavin Fischer, Breahna and A.J. Rosenow, Spencer and Madison Beyer.

He is also survived by a brother, Ted (Carol) Adams of Rochester, Minnesota; sisters, Theresa (Dale) Mauer, Louise Walk and Veronica (Ken) Koenigs, all of Stacyville; brothers-in-law, Duane Ulven of Austin, Minnesota and Donald (Marion) Ulven of Buffalo, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Jane Gerbig of Stacyville and Sherry (Darrell) Kroneman of Austin, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Eugene Adams; a brother-in-law, Larry Walk; and a nephew and a niece.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Wieland

January 10, 2012

Rose Wieland, age 83, of Forest City, died on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at her home in Forest City.

As per her wishes, her body has been cremated. A "Celebration of Life" was held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, January 6, 2012, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Unseth officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell, Iowa.

Left to cherish her in memory are her very special friend, Willie; her children, Lou (Phil) Prsha, Butch (Ann) Wieland, Carolyn Burnworth, Roger (Debbie) Wieland, Kevin Wieland, Keith Weiland; her grandchildren, Ryan, Little Roger, Justin, Jackie, Angie, Madi, Joshua, Miah and Emily; her great-grandchildren, Rylie, Addison, Presley, Ave Kay Rose, Jocelyn Paige and Nevaeh Logan; and a host of nieces and nephews and countless precious friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa Mason City.

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, was in charge of the arrangements.

Phil Schwab

January 3, 2012

Phil Schwab, 68, of Osage, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Father Jack McClure, CPPS officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A visitation is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a time of remembrance service at 8:00 p.m.

Phil was born on March 13, 1943, the son of Alex and Anna (Kloberdanz) Schwab. He worked for Carnation Dairy and later for Wallace's in Osage.

Phil enjoyed fishing, watching the Green Bay Packers and watching his boys wrestle.

Phil is survived by his children, Michael (Kate) Schwab and their children, Jacob, Morgan and Andrew of Cedar Falls; Mark (Penny) Schwab of Shell Rock; Julie (Jay) Marley and their children, McKenzy, Avery and Fischer of Osage; Doug (Allyson) Schwab and their children, Hayden and Hendrix of Cedar Falls; a brother, Paul Schwab of Osage; Sue Schwab of Osage; a sister-in-law, Elaine Schwab; and two nieces, Kristy Miller and Jessica Balsley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Ronald.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Frederick Christian Langrock

January 3, 2012

Frederick Christian Langrock, 74, of Toeterville, died on Friday, December 30, 2011, in an automobile accident.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, with Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating and assisted by Rev. Andrew Lindahl and Rev. Michael Olmsted from the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Austin, Minnesota. Burial will be in the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Toeterville. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Frederick was born on July 21, 1937 in Toeterville, Iowa, to Fred D. and Myrtella (Sampson) Langrock. He graduated from the St. Ansgar High School, attended Wartburg College and received his Masters Degree in music from the University of Colorado. He taught music at several towns in Iowa, including Gilbert, Clarksville, Elkader, Wapse Valley and Forest City. He was excellent at his profession! He could pick up any instrument and play it.

After his retirement from teaching in Forest City, he taught part-time music in a Christian school in Waterloo and filled in at St. Ansgar when needed. He also gave private lessons to several children on different band instruments including the guitar. He joined the New Horizon Band and would travel to Cedar Falls weekly for practice. During this time he also took care of his widowed mother until she had to go to the nursing home.

He remodeled the old Toeterville Bank and made it into a gallery for his Aunt Atlanta Sampson's art work. He did beautiful work framing and matting her many paintings. During the summer he would set up a tent and show her artwork at art fairs all over Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Frederick was truly an artist! He was an avid bridge player and would play bridge in Austin and Cedar Falls, lots of times, two days a week.

For the last five years his latest endeavor had been the music director at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin. He directed the choir and arranged other music for their services. He loved his home church at Toeterville, but he also loved Westminster. His faith was very important to him. Frederick would often say "I'm too busy. I should do more traveling before I get to old to do it." He will continue to be busy arranging music for the Lord in Heaven and directing the Angel Choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Don Carroll.

Frederick is survived by his two sisters, Avis (Leo) Hanson of St. Ansgar and Audrey Carroll of Austin; and one brother, David (Linda) Langrock of Davenport; nieces, Lisa Hansen, Lori Johnson, Amy Langrock, Dawn Pyle and Lacy Langrock; nephews, Dennis Hanson, Lynn Carroll and Todd Carroll; and close friend, Sheryl Ehlke.

The Community has lost a true artist and he will be missed by family and friends.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements.

Gary Alan Ferch

January 3, 2012

Gary Alan Ferch, 58, of Nora Springs, died suddenly in his home on Friday, December 30, 2011, of natural causes.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at the Nora Springs First United Methodist Church, Nora Springs. Interment took place in the Park Cemetery, Nora Springs, where full military honors were conducted by the Nora Springs American Legion Post 449. Memorial contributions may be designated to the Gary Ferch Memorial Fund. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Monday, January 2, 2012, at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, Nora Springs.

Gary was born to Lloyd and Eleanor Louise (Fernelius) Ferch, on August 9, 1953 in Minneapolis. He was a graduate of the Hopkins High School in Hopkins, Minnesota. He served his country in the Army during the Vietnam Era. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Wilkins on December 18, and they raised two sons Michael and Dallas. Gary and Carolyn lived in California for a time where he worked for McDonald Douglas Aircraft manufacturing. He later became a lock smith after a course of home study. He attended Southwest Technical Institute to be a surgical tech earning top honors.

Gary's favorite pets included Rocky his squirrel, Cookie, Luke and Pepper his dogs and his cats. Gary loved to grill and cook outdoors every Labor Day weekend at the family Dutch oven cook-off. He gathered an extensive collection of Smurfs figurines. He enjoyed his Harley and sunny Sunday afternoon rides with his family. He also enjoyed video games with Dallas and his granddaughter, Mikayla. He collected military issue rifles with Mike.

Gary is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Mike (Jamie Thompson) Ferch of Mason City and Dallas Ferch of Nora Springs; granddaughter, Mikayla Ferch of Mason City; mother, Louise Ferch of Hopkins, Minnesota; sisters, Dianna (Kirk) Bredenberg of Cedar Rapids and Linda (Mark) Fritch of Maplewood, Minnesota; brother, Duane Ferch of Hopkins, Minnesota; and mother-in-law, Alice Wilkins of Nora Springs.

Also cherishing his memory includes his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Jim Wilkins of Clear Lake, Alice (Tim) Kaasa of Nora Springs, Connie (Paul) Yerkes of Greene, Alan (Dodie) Wilkins of Portland, Iowa, Brian (Denise) Wilkins of Mason City, Larry Wilkins of Mason City, Sharon (Todd) Hauser of Mason City, Ron (Kris) Wilkins of Nora Springs; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by father, Lloyd Ferch.