GASAWAY, Andrew Hess "Andy"

GASAWAY, HESS, MAKI, BLICK, MORF, JASZEWSKI, HORSFIELD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/1/2018 at 04:04:16

Obituary ~ Andrew Hess "Andy" Gasaway
July 06, 1979 ~ October 09, 2001

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
October 11, 2001

MASON CITY -- Andrew Hess (Andy) Gasaway, 22, of 2270 Country Club Drive, Mason City, died Tuesday (Oct. 9, 2001) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

A funeral Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S. E., Mason City, with the Rev. Carl A. Ries officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will begin at 6:30 this evening at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where a scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

The family asks that memorials be directed to the Andy Gasaway Memorial Fund, to be used to benefit Newman Catholic Schools, Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and Stebens Children's Theater in Mason City.

Andy was born July 6, 1979, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Joan A. (Hess) and Michael J. Gasaway. At birth, he was diagnosed with heart and other physical disabilities. He battled through numerous surgeries in his lifetime and was awaiting a heart transplant at the time of his death. It was said that he was "forged of iron and surrounded by love." Throughout his life, Andy was an inspiration to others. By his enthusiastic and adventurous example, he caused all those who met him to reassess their definition of "disabled" and he challenged them to live life to the fullest.

At the age of six, Andy was named as a March of Dimes Ambassador for the North Iowa Division. He was later chosen to represent the March of Dimes on a state level as a spokesperson for the campaign to eliminate birth defects.

Andy lent his talents to the Stebens Children's Theatre in Mason City and took the stage in a number of productions. He will be especially remembered for his lead role in "Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol," a part which he laughingly said he was "born to play." His interest in the theatre continued through his high school years at Newman Catholic. He was a vocal and instrumental music student and earned parts in school musicals. He also represented his school in speech competitions. In 1996, he was cast in the Mason City Community Theater production of "The Music Man."

After graduating from Newman Catholic in 1998, Andy attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. He continued to develop his public speaking skills as a member of Buena Vista's Debate Team. His knowledge of issues and intensity earned him the nick-name "Mad Dog," a title he wore with great pride. Andy excelled at student life and was named as Pierce Hall President and elected to the Buena Vista Student Senate. He had looked forward to representing his classmates as a school senator this fall. After his hospitalization this spring and recognition that he would miss his senior year, Buena Vista students and administrators conferred on him the title of "Honorary Senator."

Above all else, Andy loved, and was loved, by his family. He traveled extensively with his parents and brother, Matt, and sister, Leah. They explored Spain and Mexico in recent years, as well as his favorite destination, Washington D.C. He had planned to pursue a political career with goal of representing Iowans, and especially those with disabilities.

Andy was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan who enjoyed making a pilgrimage to Spring Training in Arizona, as well as cheering on the Cubbies at many games in Wrigley Field. He also was an avid fisherman whose adventures included deep sea fishing, as well as dropping a line with his aunt and uncle, Dona and Gene Maki, in Minnesota, and with his uncle, Dean Hess, in Clear Lake.

Andy is survived by his parents, Mike and Joan Gasaway of Mason City; a brother, Matt Gasaway of Chicago, Ill.; a sister, Leah Gasaway of Mason City; paternal grandmother, Barbara Gasaway of Mason City; maternal grandparents, Don and Geri Hess of Clear Lake; aunts and uncles, Cindy and Bill Blick of Mason City and their children, Ben and Aaron; Marianne and Dano Morf of Clear Lake and their children, Eric and Ali; Dona and Gene Maki of Minneapolis, Minn.; Ruth and David Liner of Arlington, Va.; Dean and Sue Hess of Clear Lake and their children, Lindsey, Morgan and Madeline; Jane and Mark Jaszewski of Little Canada, Minn.; and their children, Marin, Sophie and Jillian; and John and Cynthia Hess of Albuquerque, N.M., and their daughter, Caitlyn.

Greeting Andy in heaven is his paternal grandfather, Bill Gasaway, and maternal great-grandmother, Catherine Horsfield.

Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., is in charge of services. (641)-423-2372.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018