WILSON, Gaylen 1937 - 2015

WILSON, CALDWELL, OREDSEN, DORENKAMP, ACKERLEY, PETERSON, ELSBURY, WHELAN, SCALVI, MINEART

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 10/7/2017 at 12:03:04

Gaylen Wilson, 78 of Thornton, died Sunday, August 9, 2015, at his home.

Per Gaylen’s wishes, his body has been cremated and a private inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Gaylen Wilson Memorial Fund, 112 Elm St., Apt. 2, Thornton, Iowa.

Gaylen was born June 5, 1937, the son of Lester Lee and Flossie Irene (Caldwell) Wilson in Iowa City. He married Ila Oredsen on April 25, 1961. She preceded him in death on August 15, 2003.

A graduate of Mason City High School, class of 1955, Gaylen joined the United States Air Force, serving for four years. He was a meat cutter all of his life at various grocery stores before retiring from Hy-Vee West in 1984. He and Ila bought the Olde Pub in 1985 and operated that for ten years.

Gaylen enjoyed playing pool and bowling in league with Ila in his younger years.

Gaylen is survived by three children, Beth (Gary) Dorenkamp of Thornton, Wade (Kaye) Wilson of Clear Lake, and Blaine (Becky) Wilson of Swaledale; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Dorenkamp, Adam (Kelton) Dorenkamp, Cody (Britney) Wilson, Samantha Wilson, Cooper Wilson, Amanda Ackerley, and Andrea Ackerley; twelve great-grandchildren; a brother, Bill (Elsie) Wilson of California; three sisters, Gwen Peterson of Tama, Betty Wilson of Florida, and Patty (Don) Elsbury of Mason City; a brother-in-law, Steve (Doris) Oredsen of California; a sister-in-law, Mavis (Bob) Whelan of Clear Lake; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ila; a great-grandson, Devlin; three brothers, Bobby, Leland, and Teddy Wilson; a sister, Claudine Scalvi; and a brother-in-law, Shawdow Mineart.