Gary Humpal

Gary Anthony Humpal, 62, of New Hampton, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton.

Gary was welcomed into the world by his parents: Anthony and Clarene (Franzen) Humpal Oct. 31, 1959, in Waterloo. The oldest of the couple’s six children, Gary grew up first in Jesup before the family moved to Waucoma.

He received his education at Turkey Valley Community Schools, where he played football and wrestled for the Trojans and was a proud member of the Class of 1978.

After graduating, Gary worked several jobs in and around Waucoma. He worked at the elevator, hauled fertilizers and worked for garages before landing a job at Croell Redi-Mix, where he hauled cement. By the time he ended his time at Croell’s, Gary knew every nook and cranny of northeast Iowa.

Gary married Cathy Gebel and the couple had two children — Stephanie and Jeremy — and although Gary and Cathy ended up divorcing, they did so on good terms and remained friends.

Gary loved his cars, and he spent many nights tearing them down and rebuilding engines. He’d do anything to give his cars, like his beloved 1970 Chevelle, additional power; when it came to cars, he could fix anything. Some guys have tools or mowers in their sheds; Gary had a shed that could have doubled as an auto-parts store!  Along with cars Gary loved to visit, he could sit down with anyone and talk about anything.

In his younger days, he played a lot of slow-pitch softball in Waucoma, and he always loved stock car races. He was a regular at the track in West Union, and he never missed watching a NASCAR race on television.

He loved his children and Stephanie’s six sons and may have taught a couple of them a few of his hell-raising lessons, too!

Gary fought health issues for much of his adult life. He had his good days and his bad days but never threw in the towel.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and while his family and friends will dearly miss him, they know that he is now healthy and in a much better place.

Gary is survived by one daughter, Stephanie (Ryan) Tangen, of Lawler; one son, Jeremy (Mikaela Reth) Humpal, of Waterloo; six grandchildren: Dawson, Levi, Jaxson, Jenson, Ryker and Rylen; one brother, Greg (Tessa) Humpal, of Waukee; four sisters: Gail (Jeff) Schwartzkopf, of Rudd; Gwen Humpal, of Franklin, Tennessee; Gina (David) Jameson, of Waukee, and Glenda (Shane) Reaves, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial was set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waucoma with burial the parish cemetery and visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton with a 3:30 p.m. Rosary and a 7 p.m. parish scripture service and visitation again an hour prior to the Mass Tuesday at the church.

Visit the funeral home online.