Gary Wistrom
November 02, 1939 — September 24, 2024
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Service Details
Gary Wallace Wistrom, 84, passed away on September 24, 2024, at Taylor House Hospice. Gary was born on November 2, 1939, to Barbara Lundgren and Russell Wistrom in Des Moines, Iowa. Gary married Brenda-Jean Mercer in 1963 and were married until her passing in 2002. Gary and Fran were married in 2004 and were together until his passing.
Gary graduated from East High School in 1958. Gary was a graduate of Drake University in 1962 and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Gary joined the Army National Guard in June 1962 as a Message Center Operator and received an honorable discharge in June of 1968. Special achievements during his term of service was the Marksmanship Badge in September of 1966. After his military service, Gary was an agent of Connecticut/Mass Mutual for forty-five years. He was very devoted to his clients and gained many friendships from this.
Involvement within the community was important for Gary. Civitan International was a civic club that Gary was apart of for most of his life. Gary was a founding member of The Breakfast Club, where he was recently honored. Gary supported First Tee, an organization that helps kids get involved with golf, and the Special Olympics. Gary was also a member of the Cyclone Corvette Club.
Gary loved a good joke and could be quoted telling someone, “Pay backs are hell.” Summers at Clear Lake at the family-built cabin were a highlight not only for Gary, but also for his family.
Gary is survived by his wife of 20 years, Fran; his daughter, Mary Wistrom; son, Eric (Carla) Wistrom; grandchildren, Jean (Ben) Knuckey and Christy (Tony) Wistrom; great-grandchildren, Caitlynn, Kevin, and Jaymie Sherlock and Lena and Adalynn Wistrom; step-daughter, Elizabeth (Heal) Halder; step-son, Alan (Tonya) Nilsson; step-grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Allen, Zachary (Aliyah) Halder, and Matthew Halder; and step-great-grandchildren, Patrick and Caleb Allen.
Gary was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Wistrom; and his parents, Russell and Barbara Wistrom.
Family will be greeting friends on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home at 5400 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Gary will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens; 7601 Fleur Drive in Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Gary’s honor to Taylor House Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Wayne and Phyllis Whitmer
09/28/2024
Sorry to hear of Gary passing. He was such kind great guy. Wayne worked on his home I Booneville and Ankeny. One project we exchanged money for a weekend at the lake home in Clear lake. That turned out to be a great time for us and our family. Loved that cute cottage and enjoyed the stay. If he needed help on project on home, he called Wayne.
We knew his first wife and met his wife Fran. He will be missed, Wayne thought of him like an older brother and no working for him
Sympathies to the family
Dr. Larry & Betty Martindale
09/27/2024
Dear Fran, Mary, Eric, and family of Gary Wistrom:
On behalf of all of the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Drake University and my wife Betty, we wish to extend our most sincere condolences to you at the passing of our fraternity brother and long time friend, Gary Wistrom.
I first met Gary when I pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon at Drake and Gary was very kind and cordial to me and help me through my pledge ship training. Gary was always very encouraging and kind to me as a young freshman and throughout my college experience at Drake. Gary encouraged me to take the sales training course for Connecticut Mutual Life insurance and I did that for one month and then I took a job as a teacher within the Des Moines Public schools. For over 40 years, Gary was our life insurance and investment counselor and was a significant help to us to Betty and I from the very beginning of our marriage and life together. For over 40 years, Gary always sent birthday cards and well wishes regarding important dates in our life and career. He was truly a treasure and a great friend. I especially enjoyed his time with his Corvette and his years of service on the Sig Ep alumni board.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with each of you in the days and months that lie ahead. We believe that Gary is now in heaven and smiling down upon us all.