Gary Dietrich, 1 Oct 1934 - 16 Jan 2008

DIETRICH, CALVERT, WANDLING, BARRETT, STOCKSTELL

Posted By: Stephen D. Williams (email)
Date: 1/29/2008 at 12:44:12

Gary Neal Dietrich, 73, of 212 Wesley Dr. NW, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in his home after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, St. Jude Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with viewing at the church one hour before the funeral. Burial: 3 p.m Saturday, Calvary Cemetery, Marengo, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids, with a Scripture and sharing service at 5:30 p.m.
Gary was born Oct. 1, 1934, to Edward and Mary (Calvert) Dietrich, in Victor, Iowa. Gary grew up on the family farm outside Victor until he was in sixth grade, when the family moved to Marengo. He graduated from Marengo High School in 1953. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Lucille Wandling, on Nov. 3, 1956. They made their home in Cedar Rapids.
Gary worked for 21 years for the Me Too grocery stores in Marengo and Cedar Rapids. In 1971, he and Dave Rank purchased the grocery store in Mount Vernon and operated it as Dave and Garys for several years. In 1981, Gary became the sole owner and changed the name to Garys Foods. He sold the business to his children in 1999 but still remained an active part of the business and the Mount Vernon community.

Gary was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and a supporter of the Catholic educational system in Cedar Rapids. Garys passions included his family, golf, trips to the casino, travel and particularly his service trip work in Haiti. He was active in the Haiti committee of St. Jude Catholic Church and made annual trips to its sister parish of Fond Verrettes, Haiti. He was also a great supporter of the St. Josephs Family of childrens homes in Haiti.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, boss and friend, Gary will be remembered for his compassion, caring, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy, of Cedar Rapids; three children, Denny (Janet) Dietrich of Mount Vernon, Becky Dietrich of Mount Vernon and Renee of Fermathe, Haiti; seven grandchildren, Micki, Nick, Peter, Joe, Cara and Sean Dietrich and Ben Barrett; two brothers, Donald (Frances) Dietrich of Marengo and Leonard (Thelma) Dietrich of Williamsburg; and one sister, Margery (Ray) Stockstell of Williamsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three children, Kenny Paul, Stephen and Julie Anne; and one brother, Richard Dietrich.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the St. Jude Catholic Church Haiti Fund in Garys name. The donations will be shared with Holy Cross Parish in Fond Verrettes, Haiti and the St. Josephs Family in Haiti.

The family would like to thank the nurses, social workers and staff of Hospice of Mercy as well as Dr. Jolynn Glanzer, Dr. Jasmine Nabi, Father Mark Reasoner and all their family and friends for all their care and support.

Cedar Memorial, Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Gazette, 18 Jan 2008, pg 4b
Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 24 Jan 2008, pg 10