Gary K. See

Gary See wore many hats during his life. He wore a Santa hat posed jauntily to the side when opening presents with his grandchildren on Christmas mornings. On Independence Day, he would wear a tall “Uncle Sam” felt hat decked out in stars and stripes. Gary’s default was a white baseball hat, though he’d switch to the classy wool newsboy style when going to church or out to dinner. Gary wore his most important ‘hats’ for decades: public servant, neighbor, friend, grandfather, father, husband, brother, and son.

Born October 28, 1941, in Monmouth, Illinois to Maurice and Elaine See, Gary was taught the value of hard work by his father and compassion and generosity by his mother. He became a big brother to his beloved sister Glenna shortly after graduating from Monmouth High School. While working at the local grocery store in 1962, Gary and two buddies decided to pursue adventure out West. They bought a car, drove to Santa Monica, secured an apartment right by the boardwalk, and got odd jobs to make rent. Gary returned to Illinois after about a year, eventually working at a small home department store called Spurgeon’s. In 1970, he was promoted to General Manager at the new Spurgeon’s location in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It was in Mt. Pleasant that he met and fell in love with the lady working the candy counter at Spurgeon’s. Gary and Paula See (née Fischer) raised three girls over the next few decades.

He was the best girl dad, teaching his daughters how to ride bikes, how to count back change in cash, how to check tire pressure, and how to slide into third base without breaking an ankle. He also wiped away our tears, picked us up when we were down, gave us loving advice when we were stuck, and cheered the loudest when we succeeded.

Professionally, Gary worked for many years as a personal banker at Henry County Savings Bank (later Firstar) and Henry County Community Credit Union (later called 5 Star). Gary showed his family the meaning of grit and entrepreneurial spirit by starting a successful small business cleaning commercial facilities in the mid-90s. He was also a loyal volunteer at his local Rotary chapter, attended St. Alphonsus Church, and volunteered regularly at Old Threshers.

Most commendably, Gary was a dedicated and thoughtful public servant. His 20-year service in the Iowa National Guard Reserve is eclipsed only by his 24-year term as Henry County Supervisor (1996-2020). If you knew him well, you knew he always had room for dessert, he loved chatting with folks over salmon and broccoli at the Iris Restaurant, and for the most number of years, he enjoyed Saturday morning breakfast at Miss K’s, he mixed his vodka with water, was enamored with his deaf dog Cooper, passionate about watching sports (Indiana Fever and professional tennis especially), could swear like a sailor, diligently took in print and TV news, beat cancer twice, relaxed by riding his bike, and deeply loved his entire family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gary passed away suddenly on September 2, 2026 at the University of Iowa, surrounded by family. He is survived by his sister Glenna; children Carrie and Wayne Hester, Theresa Fisher and Mitchell Trotman, and Becky See and Ben Mitchell; grandchildren; Tyler and Kayla Wade, Randy and Kaitie Wade, Nathan and Shyanne Hester, Katie Wade, and great-grandchildren Taylor Wade, Colt Hester, Junior Wade and Nadia Royer.

Gary was compassionate, kind, funny, protective, sweet and salty, and made his daughters and grandkids feel deeply loved, seen, and supported. We will miss him so, so much. A firm believer in education, donations may be made in Gary’s name to the Mt. Pleasant Noon Rotary chapter in support of student scholarships.

Visitation will be held 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home. The family will be present to receive friends from 2:00 - 5:00. A graveside service will be held at a later date in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Gary and his family.