Gary Geisinger

Gary (Papa) Geisinger, 66 of Eagle Grove died Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Trinity Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. A visitation took place from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family.

To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.laufersweilerfuneralhome.com.

Gary Lee Geisinger was born on November 21, 1956 in Lake City Iowa to Kenneth and Patricia (Mosher) Geisinger. As a kid, Gary enjoyed staying with his grandparents, riding bikes and riding ponies. Gary was educated in the Fort Dodge and Rockwell City school systems. As he got older his interests turned to driving trucks and Little Britches Rodeos where he rode bulls. Gary started driving truck for VanScoy Trucking of Rockwell City, IA, hauling cobs. Later he worked for Merritt Rodeo Company of Lanesboro, IA, where he farmed and helped put on rodeos.

In 1976, Gary lost his father Kenneth and younger brother, Larry to carbon monoxide poisoning in their family home in Sherwood, IA.

In 1974, at the Little Britches Rodeo finals, he met Sharon Swanson of Ogden, IA, the two dated off and on until October of 1977, when they got engaged and were married on June 11th, 1978. At this point in time, Gary and Sharon lived in Ogden, IA, where Gary worked for G&M Trucking Co. hauling cattle and grain. In 1981 they welcomed a son named Tanner Lawrence and remained in Ogden until mid-1985. At that time, Gary, Sharon, and Tanner moved to Eagle Grove, IA, where Gary worked for Umthun Trucking. In 1986 Gary and Sharon had a daughter named Jessica Louise. Gary continued to work for Umthun Trucking until it was purchased by Decker Trucking. During his trucking career, he earned a million mile safe driving award for driving with Umthun. In 2013 he earned his 2 million mile safe driving award while driving for Decker Trucking, finally retiring in 2015. During this time the family enjoyed camping, fishing, and helping put on rodeos in the summer. He also enjoyed spending time with family all year long. Starting in 2002, Gary found that he really enjoyed going on cruises, which resulted in a series of 8 cruises until his health prevented him from going anymore. He still enjoyed camping and fishing throughout the rest of his life.

Gary enjoyed all outdoor activities and sharing them with his wife and children. In the last 19 years, Gary has welcomed a daughter-in-law , a son-in-law and 2 grandchildren. You could say that he considered his grandchildren and the time he got to spend with them as God’s greatest gift, next to his children.

Gary is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sharon; son Tanner (Sarah) of Fort Dodge; daughter Jessica (Ryan) McClelland of Eagle Grove; grandchildren, Kayden and Leslie McClelland. Other surviving family include his father-in-law Robert Swanson of Latimer, IA; brother-in-law Doug Swanson and Colleen Follman of rural Hampton, IA, as well as many other extended family and many, many friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, brother, step-father, grandparents, and mother-in-law.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.