Maurice "Moe" Eugene Gilkison

Maurice Eugene Gilkison
Altoona, Iowa

Maurice Eugene Gilkison, 92, known to friends and family as Moe, passed away on January 12, 2025. His was a life well lived.

Maurice was born on July 9, 1932, to Charles and Georgianna (Pearson) Gilkison in Elk Point, South Dakota. He was active in high school and “lettered” 11 times, though he never played in any sports, he managed several sports teams and played saxophone in the marching band in both Paulina and Estherville. Moe graduated from Estherville High School (Iowa) in 1950.

Moe began his career with the phone company in 1952 and continued with them for 34 years, working his way up the pole to Supervisor. After his “retirement” Moe worked for the Altoona Chamber of Commerce (1 year), Metro Solid Waste (3 years), and the City of Altoona (10 years). Moe was a longtime member of Centennial United Methodist Church, in Altoona (Ivy).

He was drafted into the Army in 1953, serving 2 years during the Korean conflict. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra (Hamilton) in 1953 and they spent their honeymoon traveling across country to his first station in North Carolina. While they moved with the phone company many times, they always made a new house a home and strangers into friends. They welcomed three children to their happy family, Vicki (Fred) Scharmota, John (Carrie) Gilkison, and Shelly (Alan) Hiemer.

Friends and neighbors will remember Moe for his joy, quick wit and the pranks he pulled. Always a community activist, Moe joined many civic organizations including the Jaycees, Optomists, and since 1970 the Altoona Lions Club. For many years Moe volunteered for nearly every project the Lions did including the annual “Talent” Show and State Fair Spin Art Booth- many will remember his renditions of Nurse Goodbody and the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy routine. He also served on the Southeast Polk School Board and was President of the Chamber of Commerce.

Moe’s favorite activity was spending time with his large and sometimes wild family. He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren; Aaron (Maria) Scharmota, Courtney Gilkison, Brant (Karin) Gilkison, Jessi (Richard) Fox, Lindsey (Matt) Poutre, Charlie (Sarah) Hiemer, Alissa (Tony) Bolles, and Cassidy (Matthew) LeCroy, and 18 great-grandchildren; Lexee, Gage, Laney, Frankie, Jett, Nick, Michael, Kennan, Gwendolyn, Treyton, Makynli, Ryker, Layne, Axyl, Liam, Miles, Beckham and Bennett; and one great-great-grandchild; Holocene.

Moe was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Georgiana Gilkison; his wife, Sandra; his sister, Marlene and brother-in-law Dick Mason.

All in all, it was a life lived full of love and laughter. Certainly, a life well lived.

Donations may be directed to the family and they will make contributions to Moe’s favorite charities.

Family will greet guests on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 3:30 – 7:00 pm at Hamilton's Altoona Funeral Home, 105 Fourth Street SW in Altoona. A funeral service will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 10:00 am at Centennial United Methodist Church, 9150 NE University Ave., in Altoona.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.

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