Garry Alvin Meier, age 76, of Oran, Iowa died Friday, October 11, 2024, at his home.
Garry was born on March 6, 1948, Waverly, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Lucinda (Traetow) Meier. He graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1966. He was drafted into the United States Army and initially stationed at Fort Hood, TX where he married Diane Youngblut on March 22, 1968. The couple’s first son, Joe, was born and Garry was sent to Korea for 9 months during the Vietnam War. After completing his service, the family moved to their first home in Waverly, Iowa, and they soon had a baby girl, Michele. With a growing family, they bought Diane’s grandparents’ house and moved to Oran in 1972. Their family would soon be complete when Benjamin was born in 1973. Through the years, Garry worked at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa and served the community at the Oran Volunteer Fire Department. Garry and Diane spent 37 wonderful years together raising their family and grandkids until Diane’s passing on December 16, 2005. On October 23, 2015, Garry married Chris Geary Ramirez. They spent their time between Oran and Mission, Texas until his passing.
Garry was a longtime member of the VFW and American legion in Waverly and Fairbank. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, riding his Harley, collecting cars, mushroom hunting, and woodworking with Diane.
Garry’s memory is honored by his wife, Chris Meier of Oran; his three children; Joe (Nanci) Meier of Montezuma, Iowa, Michele (John) Lawrence of Montezuma, Iowa, and Ben (Missy) Meier of Dubuque, Iowa; and seven grandchildren; Bryce Meier, Jordan (Ashley) Meier, Alicia (Lucas) Meyer, Alexandria (Dustin) Kirk, Jahna (Nick) Hassinger, Tanner Meier, and Corinne Meier; eight great-grandchildren; Graceyn, Oberon, Brody, Conner, Karter, Alivia, Owen and Luke; his three siblings Charles Meier, Larry (Cheryl) Meier, and Sandra (Gary) Quade; and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Diane Meier, his parents, his sister-in-law LeAnn Meier, and his niece Angie Quade Kettwig.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Oran. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. at St. Peter. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery in rural Oran with Waverly Area Veterans Post giving military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Oran Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Valley Hospice or any local veteran’s association.
The service will be livestreamed at “Saints in Mission” Facebook page.
Lunch will be served in the church basement following the services.