Gary Heggestad, 69, Northwood

Published 9:15 am Thursday, January 2, 2014

Gary Dean Heggestad, 69, of Northwood died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

A funeral service for Gary will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons with the Revs. Christopher Martin and Barbara Wills officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood with military honors conducted by members of Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post 6779 of Northwood. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S., Northwood. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church.

Gary Dean Heggestad was born on July 8, 1944, in Mason City, the son of Lloyd and Maxine (Link) Heggestad. Gary grew up in Northwood and attended schools in Northwood. He graduated from Nora Springs High School. Gary also lived in New Hampton, Mo., for 13 years.

He was inducted into the Air Force on July 19, 1962, at Fort Des Moines and served in Vietnam until his honorable discharge on June 10, 1965, at McCherd Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash.

Gary Heggestad

After his honorable discharge, Gary worked for Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Spokane, Wash., and also in the potato fields in Texas and New Mexico. Gary began driving truck for 27 years, not only as being self employed, but also drove truck for other trucking companies. Gary worked for Fleet Guard Manufacturing in Lake Mills for three years and also for ACT in Northwood, retiring due to ill health.

He was united in marriage to Darlene Hillman on June 2, 1973, in Glenville.

Gary enjoyed building model airplanes, being a pilot, bowling, singing, photography, hunting and fishing, but his great love and enjoyment was spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood, attending Bible studies at the church, Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post 6779 of Northwood and the Northwood Lions Club.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Darlene Heggestad of Northwood; his children Jerry (Denise) Heggestad of Hereford, Texas, Mark (Ann) Heggestad of Emmons, Brad Heggestad of Northwood and special friend, Tricia Callstrom, of Red Wing and Lynn (Sara) Heggestad of Glenville; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Crill of Mt. Pleasant; as well as other extended family members and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Marvie and Dennis Heggestad.

Conner Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. It can be reached by calling 641-324-1543 or online at www.colonialchapels.com.