Gary O'Donnell

Gary O’Donnell, 59, passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his loving family, on February 28, 2024. After almost 5 years of battling Stage 4 colon cancer with the utmost courage and strength, he is now at peace with the everlasting Lord.

Gary was born on July 25, 1964 to Daniel, Sr. and Delores (Daughenbaugh) O’Donnell in Des Moines, Iowa, becoming the eighth of nine children. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1982 and married his high school sweetheart Sheila (Vasey) O’Donnell on December 3, 1983. Together they welcomed two daughters in 1985 and 1987. Gary followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and entered the hardware business. He began working side by side with his oldest brother and eventually went to work for Carver Hardware. After many years of dedication, Gary and Sheila purchased Carver Hardware in 2008; thus beginning their O’Donnell Ace Hardware venture. Gary was well respected by his employees and colleagues alike. His work ethic reflected on those around him and he formed long term relationships with his employees, which led to them becoming more like family than coworkers.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his stillborn son, Sammy. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, his daughters, Stephanie (Nathan) Habben and Heather (Josh) Evans. His six grandchildren, Connor, Carter, Haley, Silas, Mila, and Roman will miss their Papa dearly. There will be a void felt by his eight siblings, Dan (Kris), Jim (Terrie), Dennis (Teri), Mark (Tonya), John (Rhonda), Mary Kay (Craig), Mary Beth (Dave), and Tim (Anj) as well as his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his mother-in-law, Patricia Campbell, father-in-law, Chuck (Chris) Campbell, brothers-in-law, Steve (Denise) Vasey and Charlie (Tracy) Campbell.

Gary was a hard working family man from the beginning to the end. He valued his family above all else, spending his life living by the virtues he instilled in others. Gary pushed fun to its limit and entertained everyone in the process. Motocrossing, boating, co-ed softball, and golfing (poorly) were eventually replaced with traveling for his daughters’ softball tournaments, which he greatly enjoyed. Years later, he swapped watching his own little girls play to watching his grandsons and granddaughters take up the same sport that brought him so much joy.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Steve Heddinger and the entire care team at John Stoddard for taking such great and loving care of him until the very end. All who have had the honor of meeting Gary know what a wonderful person he was and understand why our hearts are broken, while being grateful he is at peace.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., followed by a rosary on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church Parish Hall, 15 Indianola Rd, Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to two charities very close to his heart: The Ripple Effect and/or O’Donnell & Friends Charities, in loving memory of Gary.
• The Ripple Effect is a charity established by Gary’s family in 2017. “When one person, or a group of people, reaches out and touches another group. And that group in turn embraces its neighbors and the ripple goes on and it carries across time.”
• O’Donnell & Friends Charities was established in 1994 as a family charity with the goal to “receive by giving.”

Condolences may be expressed online at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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