GESSNER, Charles Thompson 1957-2015
GESSNER, STEBBINS, VAN WAMBEKE
Posted By: Michelle Krieg (email)
Date: 10/8/2015 at 20:00:41
Charles “Charlie” Thompson Gessner, age 57 of New Hampton, Iowa went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 4, 2015 at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, following a long battle with cancer.
A celebration of Charlie’s life will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Chickasaw Event Center with Pastor Kevin McBride officiating. A private graveside service will take place at New Hampton Cemetery prior to the service. Online condolences for Charlie’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com . In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mission India or Midwest Mission Bible Training Center in Cresco, Iowa.
Charles Thompson Gessner was born November 21, 1957 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Gene and Nancy (Stebbins) Gessner. In third grade Charlie and his family moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where he graduated from Iowa City West High School. Following high school he attended the University of Nebraska for two years before transferring to the University of Iowa. At the University of Iowa he completed his undergraduate degree and went on to the college of dentistry.
Charlie practiced dentistry in Waterloo, Calmar, and Nashua, and went on to own his practice, Calmar Dental Clinic. In the spring of 1988 Charlie met Shirley Jean Van Wambeke. The couple was united in marriage on June 24, 1995 in Wayzata, MN. They chose New Hampton to begin their new life together that summer. In July of 2001 they gave birth to their daughter, Lydia Elizabeth, who brought much joy to her Dad, and she adored him.
Charlie attended Waterloo Worship Center of Waterloo. Through life he enjoyed collecting World War II memorabilia, golfing, downhill skiing, watersports, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Whether it was bike riding, playing basketball with his daughter, or going to Sunday worship with “his girls”, it was the simple things in life that made Charlie most happy. He loved to take his family on fun vacations, with their most special memories being trips to Michigan.
His greatest passions in life were his love for the Lord and his family. He accepted Christ as his Savior at Young Life Camp as a teenager. His relationship with the Lord became the joy and defining purpose of his life. He was a man of incredible faith and prayer.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife, Shirley and loving daughter, Lydia of New Hampton; mother, Nancy Gessner of Coralville, IA; brothers, Gene Gessner, of Coralville, IA, Michael (Barbara) Gessner of South Lake, TX; and many more loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, and joyfully united in heaven with three miscarried children, including twins.
Source: www.conway-markhamfh.com
Chickasaw Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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