Gary Michael Gonner

Gary Michael Gonner passed away on November 1, 2018 at Crestridge Care Center in Maquoketa, IA after losing his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. A celebration of his life will be held at Hachmann Funeral Home in Bellevue, IA on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm,  additional visitation will also be held from 9: 30 am – 10:30 am, prior to a funeral mass at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook, IA.

Gary was born on September 7, 1958 in Bellevue, IA to Milton Joseph and Betty Anastasia (Frank) Gonner. He grew up in Springbrook, IA, graduating from Bellevue High School in 1976. He received an Associate’s Degree in Business in 1978 from Clinton Community College. He then returned to help his parents farm until 1987 when he began working at Precision Metal Works in Maquoketa. Gary enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1985, becoming a nurse and a commissioned officer, serving at Fort Sam Houston, TX during Operation Desert Storm and ending his military career as a 2^nd Lieutenant. He continued his medical training, receiving his Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Clinton Community College in 1990 and his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from St. Ambrose University in 2007. During his nursing career he worked at West Wing Place and Genesis Medical Center in DeWitt and on the DeWitt Ambulance as a paramedic.

With Pamela (Ducat) Sterbenz Gary had two children, Carolyn (Kyle) Allee, of Hartwick, IA, and Kyle (Miranda) Gonner, of Mount Horeb, WI, and five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Paisley, Emery and Finn Allee, and Kamren Gonner.

Gary loved nursing and received many accolades and awards during his career. In his down time Gary enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, camping, golfing, baseball and more recently putting puzzles together and coloring. He was also a fan of the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs and old westerns.

Gary is survived by his children and grandchildren, his mother Betty Gonner of Bellevue, IA, his siblings Joan (Rich) McKim of Monticello, IA, Doug Gonner of Maquoketa, IA, Mary (Mike) Petrek of Fairless Hills, PA, Lori (Todd) Byerly of Davenport, IA, Paula Villhauer of West Branch, IA and James Gonner of Andrew, IA.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Milton Gonner and his sister-in-law Linda Gonner.

Gary’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Clover Ridge Place, Crestridge Care Center and Hospice of Jackson County.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in Gary’s honor.