Glen S. WILSON, Jr.

WILSON, NIELSEN, NELSON, BROWN, GARDNER, BUCKELS, GERTSEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/22/2007 at 23:10:03

Ankeny -- Glen S. Wilson Jr., was born August 21, 1931 in rural Hamilton County, the 3rd of 6 children and only son of Glen and Lucille Wilson. His early education was in a country school. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1949. He then worked on the family farm with his father while attending Eagle Grove Junior College, graduating in 1951. In 1953, he attended the Engineer School for the US Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After serving 2 years active duty in the United States Army and being deployed to Germany, he received an honorable discharge as a Corporal (E-4) from the US Army Reserves in 1961. Glen attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education.

On June 17th, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Janice Ann Nielsen. Glen farmed for 10 years south of Clarion and became the father of three boys: Monte, Mark and Mitchel. They moved to Jefferson, Iowa for a year where Glen began a career in banking. They then moved to Vinton, Iowa until 1975, when he joined Manufacturers Bank & Trust in Forest City, Iowa. After his retirement from banking as Senior Vice-President in 1993, Glen spent his time taking care of his yard, playing golf with his sons, and being a true Iowa State fan. He became a caretaker for Janice when she struggled with her health issues. He supported numerous charities and volunteered his time and organizational skills whenever he could be of help. He was always a very meticulous man; from running the family farm, to taking care of his cars, to the clothes he wore. Glen was a friendly and kind man; always quick to flash his signature smile that would put anyone instantly at ease. He was a gentle person with a great sense of humor and would be the first to laugh at himself when reminiscing about past family events. He was dedicated to his family and set a perfect example of what a husband, father and friend should be.

Glen passed away on Friday, June 15, 2007, at the Bickford Cottage in Urbandale, at the age of 75 years. Glen was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife of 50 years. He is survived by his three sons, Monte Wilson of Seattle, WA, Mark and Kristi Wilson of Dallas, TX, and Mitch and Lynn Wilson of Ankeny, IA; four step-granddaughters, one step great-grandson and five sisters: Violet and William Nelson, of Ankeny, Iowa, Rosemary and Dwight Brown of West Des Moines, Iowa, Laurel and Floyd Gardner, of Bondurant, Iowa, Glenda Buckels, of San Diego, California, and Sharolyn and Jordon Gertsen, of Story City, Iowa. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 11 a.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with Pastor Paul Stone officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

Des Moines Register, The (IA)
June 17, 2007