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Asa Ernest Gibbs

1914 - 2007

Asa E. Gibbs, 92, of Garner, died on Monday, July 16, 2007, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 18, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Music was provided by organist, Doreen Johnson who accompanied soloist, Bill Renner and congregational hymns. Ushers were Maynard Schoneman and Jim Gatchel.

Casket bearers were Joe Gibbs, Jr., Dan Hrubes, Bob Oborny, Jerry Myers, Ray Ryerson and Marlin Stadtlander. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Asa Ernest Gibbs, the son of Harry and Esther (Lenz) Gibbs, was born on December 6, 1914 at Klemme. Asa was named after his grandfather Gibbs. There had been many in the Gibbs family with this first name. With Asa's passing, there are no more. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1934 and farmed with his father. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During WW II, his service time was spent in Canada and Alaska in constructing the Alaskan Highway. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

On November 14, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Fay Neuberger at the Methodist Church in Klemme. To this union a son, Jotham "Joe" was born. The family moved to Garner where Asa started working for Bock Oil Company. In 1948, Asa and Bill Schoneman acquired the DX gas station and were business partners for several years. Asa became known as "Ace" to his many customers and friends over the years. For awhile Asa ran the business as the Ace DX Service without a partner and then in 1962, Gary Schisel joined him as Ace and Gary's DX. They had a very good relationship and enjoyed their successful business together very much. After awhile they closed the DX station and ran Ace and Gary's Phillips 66, before Ace retired in 1975.

Although a very hard working business person, Asa developed many varied interests outside his work. He enjoyed gardening and even had a year-round greenhouse built in his backyard. He polished rocks which he made into key chains and bracelets. He also had a natural talent for sketching and painting. In earlier years he spent many hours fishing and canoeing with his family in Clear Lake and the Iowa River. Asa enjoyed cooking and baking, sharing his iced cookies and fruitcakes with family and friends. He always liked to visit about the past and the "good old days" in Garner and Klemme. During retirement Asa became the care giver for his wife, Fay, who had developed Parkinson's disease. He lovingly cared for her until her passing in 1991.

In April of 1994, he and Dewie Schultz were married. They enjoyed family gatherings and traveling which included trips to Texas. They moved to the Cardinal Grove Assisted Living Apartments in 2004.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner, United Methodist Men and the Garner VFW and American Legion. He served on the Garner City Council in the 1950s and 1960's and was on the board of Meals on Wheels for several years.

He is survived by his son, Jotham "Joe" (Kathy) Gibbs of Garner; step-children, Judy (Ray Ryerson) Wetterling of Garner, Susan (John) Strange of Azle, Texas and Tom (Julia) Schultz of Garner; grandchildren, Joe Gibbs, Jr., Pam Hrubes, Dan (Carol) Hrubes and Melissa (Bob) Oborny; step-grandchildren, Jim Wetterling, Debra (Brian) Morel, Kim Gibson, Ron (Ellen) Wetterling, Tracy (Justin) Klimisch, Angie (Scott) Van Dusseldorp, Joe Schultz, Tara Schultz, Heather Ross and Marisa Gibson; five great-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Harriet Bridgeford of Mason City and Isabelle Gibbs of Mason City; and a brother, Ronald Gibbs of Garner.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Fay in 1991 and Dewie in 2005.

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