Gary Gene Gress

Gary G. Gress, 77, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 1st, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

Gary Gene Gress was born August 9, 1945, in Waukon, IA, the son of Raymond Edward Sr. and Laura Mae (Hamann) Gress. He attended Ludlow #5 country school in rural Waukon. On March 6, 1971, he married Dorothy Ann Johnson at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Gary worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon as a foreman until it closed. He also worked at Quillins, drove semi and hauled milk for Gary Bulman, and drove semi for IAS.

Gary was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, going for rides in the country, and following Waukon sports and other activities, especially his grandchildren's. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, planning family reunions, and would call all his children every night to visit.

Survivors include his children: Vickie Gress of Onalaska, WI, Nancy (Joey) Smith of Owensboro, KY, Tim Gress, Troy (Michelle) Gress, Lori (Blair) Cahoon, all of Waukon, Cindy Topel of Monona, IA, and Tom Topel of Winona, MN; 14 grandchildren: Katie, Brody, Mason, Brennan, Ali, and Chris Gress, Connor, Caden, and Cooper Cahoon, Dustin (Erika) Lewey, Karrie (Austin) Stallings, and Zeke, Jeffery, and Nate Smith; three great-grandchildren: Jese Lewey and Zander and EmmaGene Stallings; two brothers: Dean (Carol) Gress of McGregor, IA, and Jim (JoAnn) Duvel of Postville, IA; a sister-in-law Susie Gress of Blue Springs, MO; and a brother-in-law Don Waters of Waukon. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dorothy, who died in 2016; two sons: Monte Gress and Steve Topel; a sister Ardith Waters; brother Raymond Gress, Jr.; and his stepfather Lloyd "Tim" Duvel.

Honorary casketbearers are his grandchildren. Casketbearers are Bryan and Jeff Waters, Mark Jones, Ray Gress, Randy Bloxham, Kevin and Virgil Johnson, and Jerry Schroeder.