Gary L. Halva, 29 Sep 1945 - 19 May 2021

HALVA, GARLICK, GULICK, SALVO, BENSON, KRULL, CARLTON, KAMPMAN

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 5/27/2021 at 14:58:34

Gary L. Halva, 75, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born September 29, 1945 to Rudy and Dortha (Garlick) Halva. Gary graduated from Vinton High School in 1963 and went on to earn his BA in Elementary Education and his Master’s in Elementary Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa.

On June 8, 1968, Gary was united in marriage with Karen Gulick in Vinton, Iowa. Throughout the years, Gary was a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at North Tama, worked as an Elementary Counselor at Benton Community Schools, and retired in 2007 after 29 years as a consultant with Keystone AEA. After retiring, he enjoyed teaching reading to ESL students at Upper Iowa. He was active in the West Union United Methodist Church, and was Lay Speaker in Hawkeye, Alpha, and several other area churches. Gary enjoyed camping, vacationing, birdwatching and taking his children & grandchildren to Echo Valley.

He loved gardening and growing flowers, and exhibited his flowers and plants at the Fayette County Fair for many years. He also loved decorating for every season, especially Christmas – at home, at work, and at church. Gary’s biggest love was his family. Although he was devastated by the deaths of Kerry & Tracy, he was deeply appreciative of the 35 years he gained with his heart transplant.

Surviving Gary are his wife of 53 years, Karen Halva of West Union, Iowa; daughter, Jessica Salvo of Scottsdale, Arizona; four grandchildren, Danny Halva (Coltn Benson) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Tracy Halva of West Union, Iowa, Savannah Halva of Ames, Iowa and Caroline Halva of West Union, Iowa; son-in-law, Mathew Krull of West Union, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Carlton) Root of Clermont, Florida; Mary Halva of Amana, Iowa; and Thera Colvin of Lodi, California; Aunt Rosemary (Les) Kampman of Vinton, Iowa. and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by two children, son Tracy Halva in 1990 and daughter Kerry Halva in 2010; his parents, Rudy and Dortha Halva; two brothers, Carroll Halva and Loren Halva; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wayne and Jeanne Gulick.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, May 24, 2021 at United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Rick Burns as the officiant.

Those who are able to attend are asked to wear bright colors to help celebrate Gary’s life.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Published on Grau Funeral Home website, an abbreviated version published in The Gazette on May 25, 2021.