Gary Wistrom

November 02, 1939 — September 24, 2024

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.

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