Gary Hunziker (1957-2017)
HUNZIKER, PAYER, MULVIHILL, SCHWALIER, KINCL
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 6/3/2017 at 14:47:52
From Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:
Gary Hunziker
June 29, 1957 - May 19, 2017Gary Hunziker, age 59, died at the Mary Greeley Israel House, after a three year battle with multiple myeloma (cancer). The funeral will be on Thursday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 520 NW 36th Street, Ankeny, Iowa. A private burial will follow after the service. There will be a Celebration of Life on May 25 from 4-6 p.m. at the Sukup End Zone Club, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa. Gary enjoyed life to the fullest and we are going to celebrate him!
Gary was born in Ames, Iowa to Margaret and Erb Hunziker, the youngest of their six sons. He attended school in Ames, Iowa and graduated from Ames High School in 1975. He attended college at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Gary started working as a realtor for his father's company, H & F Realtors, in 1978 and continued as a realtor until 1994. At that time, he took over and eventually owned Hunziker Property Management in Ames, Iowa, until his death. Gary loved his work and even more importantly, he loved the people he worked with. Along with his son, Andy, he had many long-term co-workers he considered an extension of his family.
Gary married Chris Payer Hunziker on January 20, 1979, after they started dating in ninth grade. They spent their lives in Ames, Iowa raising their two children, Megan, born in 1983, and Andy, born in 1987. Gary loved spending time with his family over the years and being part of all of their school and sporting activities (softball, volleyball, baseball, soccer and hockey). Gary had a large extended family and he had wonderful family memories of holidays, vacations and lots of fun weekends (especially the Fourth of July) spent at Clear Lake. One of the best things about being a parent is that you eventually are lucky enough to be a grandparent-one of life's blessings. Megan and her husband, Joe, have a daughter and a son, Addy and Mason. Andy and his wife, Kelsey, have one daughter, Aubrey. Gary was a loving "Papa" and he treasured his time with his three grandchildren.
Gary loved sailing and spending time at Clear Lake, being a potter at CASA in Ames and attending ISU sporting events (especially football and basketball-he was truly one of ISU's best fans. According to Gary, ISU was always going to win every game:). Gary and Chris joined Hope Lutheran Church-Ames and loved being a part of that church family. Gary and Chris are lucky to have many wonderful and caring family and friends who were with us on this journey.
Gary is survived by his wife, Chris, and their children, Megan (Joe) Mulvihill of Overland Park, KS and their two children, Addy and Mason, and his son, Andy (Kelsey) Hunziker of Ames, Iowa and their daughter, Aubrey. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Hunziker, Ames, Iowa and his in-laws, Don and Jan Payer, Ames, Iowa. Gary is survived by four of his siblings, Jon (Bonnie) Hunziker, Dean (Darlene) Hunziker, Bob (Jane) Hunziker and Steve (Susan) Hunziker along with many nieces and nephews to whom he was very close. Gary had two close cousins, Dianne Schwalier and Rich Kincl.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Erb Hunziker, and his brother, Dave Hunziker along with Hobie and Woody (his two favorite dog companions). He is looking forward to being reunited with them in heaven and spending lots of time playing cards, fishing and watching over all of us.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Bliss Cancer Center, McFarland Clinic, Ames, Iowa. Gary and Chris both received such wonderful care and compassion from Dr. Rudrapatna and numerous nurses and staff.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
http://www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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