Vagts, Gareth Levon 1917 - 2014
VAGTS, JENSEN, MILBRATH, HUCUL, KACH, MCKITTRICK, LONG, KEPROS, FERRIE, GARDNER, SMITH, JOHNSON, THOMPSON, AMUNDSON, OTT, MOEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/3/2014 at 08:11:17
Gareth Vagts, 97, of Cresco, Iowa passed away peacefully, on Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa with his family by his side. Gareth Levon Vagts was born on a farm near Davis Corners, Iowa on June 1, 1917 to Paul and Marie (Jensen) Vagts. Gareth grew up on a farm near Cresco and graduated from Cresco High School where he was active in FFA, wrestling and also played trombone in the band. Gareth Vagts and Geneva Milbrath were married August 22, 1939 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa. They were married 63 years when Geneva passed away on March 8, 2003. To this marriage three children were born, Dale, Muriel and Ann. After his marriage Gareth worked at Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo, Iowa, then returned to Cresco to farm near Ridgeway and subsequently buying the family farm southeast of Cresco in 1945. While farming, Gareth was elected Secretary of the Howard County Mutual Insurance Association. After farming many years, Gareth started the Vagts Insurance Agency. This, along with his Secretary position eventually became a fulltime profession. He and Geneva moved into Cresco. He was responsible, along with the agents, for record growth of Howard County Mutual and was well respected by both clients and companies he wrote for. Gareth greatly enjoyed fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada, winters with Geneva in the Phoenix area, their cabin in Hayward, Wisconsin, a game of cards, golf, hunting and other outdoor activities. He especially enjoyed the good old hymns of the church as a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. As an Immanuel member Gareth volunteered in many leadership capacities and also volunteered several times with an Immanuel Church group at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Gareth and Geneva always found time to take their young family on vacation, usually fishing in Minnesota or Canada. Gareth had great passion: for his careers in farming and insurance, for the love of family and friends, for his church and especially great love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Gareth Vagts is survived by his children: Dale (Joyce) Vagts, Muriel Hucul, Ann (Gerald) Kach Grandchildren: Marla Vagts, Dawn Vagts, Kelly (Matt) McKittrick, Daniel (Teri) Vagts, Karla (Randy) Long, Jodi (Kevin) Kepros, Kris (Brian) Ferrie, Shannon (George) Gardner, Sean (DeeDee) Vagts, Scott (Sarah) Kach, Great Grandchildren: Kasie (Dustin) Smith, Megan Emma Marie Vagts, Jenna Vagts, Amanda Johnson, Angela (Jon) Thompson, Ryan Johnson, Blake Long, Kennedy Long, Joshua Kepros, Nicholas Kepros, Sam Kepros, Alexa Ferrie, Logan Ferrie, Seth Vagts, Gavin Vagts, Avery Vagts, Claire Kach, James Kach. Great Great Grandchild: Tristan Smith Sisters-in-law: Hazel Amundson, Jeannette Milbrath, Audrey Ott, Ethel Moen and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Geneva, parents Paul and Marie Vagts, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Carol Vagts, brother-in-law and sister-in-law George and Jeannette Milbrath, grandson Timothy Vagts, and brothers-in-law: Alan Amundson, Lester Milbrath, Melvin Ott and Sam Moen.
Visitation:
Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, as well as one hour prior to services at the church.Service:
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa.Cemetery:
Burial will be in the New Oregon Cemetery in rural Cresco.Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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