Gavin Granneman
September 15, 2007
Much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend, Gavin Ryan Granneman went to heaven on Saturday, September 15, after a car accident that also claimed the lives of 3 of his friends. Gavin was born on July 5, 1978 in Des Moines, Iowa to Sharon and Terry Granneman. Ten days later, Sharon died. Gavin is now with his birth mom.
Gavin graduated from Valley High School in 1996, attended DMACC, Graduated from Iowa Central Community College and attended Iowa State University.
Those left without him are his parents, Mary and Terry Granneman in Clive, brother Jamie and nephew Joey in Boulder, CO, sister Nicole Sparks (Mike), niece Macy, and nephew Trey in Golden, CO, grandmother Bernadine Granneman of Oelwein, and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He loved participating in any and every athletic sport, from soccer to sand volleyball, basketball, snow skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, rollerblading, inline skating, shooting pool, snowboarding, swimming, diving, and this year, his first RAGBRAI. Gavin registered for the 2007 HyVee Triathlon 3 days before the event, and completed it just hours after his bar shift ended. Traveling lightly, holding no grudges, with a quick smile for all he met—that is his legacy.
He worked in many restaurants and bars in the Des Moines area and used his “flair” bartending skills to entertain himself and his customers.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 14:34-35)
Gavin loved everyone he met. He was light and life and joy and laughter. He will be so missed!
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gavin Granneman Memorial Fund.
Visitation will be at Hamiltons on Westown Parkway on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m., and a service celebrating Gavin’s life will be at Lutheran Church of Hope on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. .
Jessie Jo Smith
09/20/2007
I was so stunned to hear the news, I can not even begin to imagine the heart break you all must be going through. Gavin stuck out to me the moment I met him, one of the few good guys to really genuinely care about the people that he met. I am so happy to have known him.
I remember helping him carry something out to his car, after he was getting off of a shift at Drink one night. When we opened up the back of his Jeep, it was overflowing with every single piece of sports equipment ever made! I laughed at him and said something saracastic; he laughed back, and replied with a simple, "I hate being bored." I'll never forget that.
My prayers and condolences are with every single one of you. You are lucky to have had such an amazing soul a part of your lives every day.
Kathy Simeno
09/19/2007
Terry and Mary
My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of Gavin. Words can't express. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kathy
Craig, PJ., Brittany, Ryan and Cynicia Warner
09/19/2007
Our hearts ache for your loss. We are better people because we got to know Gavin Ryan. He will always be a part of our thoughts and our family. Our only consolation is that God needed him more.
Craig Warner's family
Chris Seiberling
09/19/2007
I didn't know Gavin very well, but I felt like I was his best friend when I was hanging out with him. He had that Bill Clinton-esque ablity to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room. During the service, while I was thinking about Gavin and also the words that the pastor was saying, I came to the conclusion that my life will take a new direction from here on. It made me realize the amount of time that I spend thinking about myself. Gavin obviously cared greatly about others, even more than he cared about himself. I really looked up to Gavin because of this. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Grannamen Family at this time. I hope that God will, in time, heal your hearts. Take care.
Chris Seiberling
515.883.0648
Wanda Bunting
09/19/2007
Dear Terry and Mary,
What you're going through now is impossible to know or feel. I can only imagine what it would be like if it happened to Daryl.
With sincere sympathy,
Wanda
Jason Olsen
09/19/2007
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Gavin's family and friends. I didn't know Gavin, I am the grandson of Paul Sherman, who was brother to my Aunt Florence, who was Gavin's grandmother. I live in California and heard about the accident from my mother Jan Olsen. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Gavin and I will keep him and everyone connected to him in my prayers.
DeAnna Fidler
09/18/2007
I am very sorry for your loss. My daughter worked with Gavin at 101, Kristi Lehman, and Gavin was always a pleasant young man to talk to when I would go visit her. He was a special person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Laura Cressy
09/18/2007
Mary,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray you feel God's comfort during this sad time!
Laura Cressy
Jeff and Virginia Barnes
09/18/2007
Mary,Terry & Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Janet Howell
09/18/2007
"I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine", he said.
For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there, I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him home again?
I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, we'll ever grateful stay.
But shall the angels call for him, much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
My parents received this when my younger sister passed, and
it seemed to bring them comfort. I hope it does the same for you.
You're in my heart.
Steve Darell
09/18/2007
Mary and Terry,
My deepest sympathies to you both and your family. I just heard about
this terrible tragedy this morning.
I know both of you are very positive people and will eventually be
able to go on.
I don't know if you remember me, but I remember when Gavin was born
and the circumstances surrounding that event.
I have treasured memories of having worked with you both at
Northwestern Bell in Davenport. You were both of the ones who were
so kind and supportive toward me.
I think the last time I saw you both was in 1985 at the bowling alleys
out west of 86th in Clive (can't remember the name). You both greeted
me so warmly! I feel very privileged to have known you both.
Let me know if there is anything I can do. I would love to hear from
you some time. Here's my particulars:
Steve and Georgeann Darell
1413 Mimosa Ct.
Flower Mound, TX 75028-3637
(H) 972-539-2182
(C) 972-814-6626
(W) 972-766-6921
duffyhawk@verizon.net
Steven_Darell@BCBSTX.com
Phil and Jodi Parrott
09/18/2007
We are very saddened at the lose of Gavin. Our hearts and prayers are with Mary and Terry as well as all who knew and loved Gavin. Gavin was very special to us. We have special memories of him as a small boy, teaching him in Sunday school. We always looked forward to seeing him when we were out to dinner at the various places he had worked. He would go out of his way to extend a hello with his contagious smile. We will miss Gavin and will continue to hold you up in our prayers! With God's love and ours, the Parrott Family
Wendy Frentress
09/18/2007
Terry, Mary, Jamie, Nicole, and Mrs. Granneman (Bernadine):
My name is Wendy Frentress now but I was Wendy Moore from Oelwein, Jim and Faye Moore's daughter. Vicki is my sister and was a nanny for Gavin. He was such a cute little baby and toddler. My heart was very saddened to hear of his death. He grew up to be a very handsome young man. Jamie and Nicole were just little squirts when I knew them but they too were cuties. You all have my deepest sympathy.
Mrs. Granneman was our school teacher at Parkside and she was the best. Your family has touched the hearts of my family in many ways.
I am sorry I won't be able to attend the funeral but you will all be in my prayers.
Wendy Frentress
Vinton, Iowa
wfrentress@gmail.com
Lisa Fitzgerald
09/17/2007
Mary,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I praise God that Gavin knew Jesus and that they are together now. My entire family is praying for your entire family. Our prayer is that you will be comforted in the days to come.
In Christ,
Lisa Fitzgerald
Erica Rohde
09/17/2007
I'd just like to share my favorite memory of Gavin:
I first met Gavin when a friend and I stopped by Kahunaville for lunch one Saturday afternoon. To this day I couldn't tell you what we ordered, but I will always remember what an impact Gavin had on me. From the moment we sat down to the time we left, he not only did his job but became an instant friend. He was one of those people that you meet and it feels like you've known them forever. He kept us laughing the entire time and we shared stories. He even told me where to get, in his opinion, the best potato salad around. In fact, my friend and I joked that we barely got a chance to eat because he was talking so much! Of course, we didn't mind. We enjoyed ourselves and had a great time (we ended up staying a couple of hours). He was one of the friendliest people I've ever met and had a warm smile that lit up the room.
Some time after that, I found out we had a couple of mutual friends. The last time I saw him was the end of June when a friend and I had lunch and visited him at 101 Lounge. It's funny what a small world it is...I just found out today that my uncle played basketball with Gavin for the last ten years. Though I didn't know him very well, it was always a joy to see him. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Gavin's family and friends, and those of the others lost Saturday as well. I am truly sorry for your loss, and ever grateful that I was lucky enough to have crossed paths with such a great guy.