Garry R. Spear

A service to honor and celebrate Garry's life will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Town Center in Buffalo Center. His family will greet friends at a Memorial Visitation from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Town Center. Inurnment with military honors conducted will be held at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, in Adel.
Garry Robert Spear passed away on December 29, 2025, at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center, Iowa. He was born on May 10, 1940, in Swea City, Iowa, to Dick and Margaret Spear. He moved to Lakota in the 8th grade, where he grew up with his siblings, including his twin brother Larry, sister Rosalie, and brother Ronald. Growing up on the farm, Garry learned the value of hard work by helping in the fields during planting and harvest, and he enjoyed fishing with his family as a young boy, memories he carried with him throughout his life.
Garry proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, enlisting on October 28, 1958, and serving until his honorable discharge on October 27, 1961. He carried that pride throughout his life and faithfully celebrated the Marine Corps birthday every November 10th. On May 10, 2023, his 83rd birthday, Garry had the honor of participating in an Honor Flight, accompanied by his daughter Theresa, an experience that meant a great deal to him and his family.
He married Charlene Thomsen on July 27, 1963, whom he met while attending Lakota High School in Lakota, Iowa. The couple made their home in Ledyard, Iowa, where they lived until moving to Lakota, Iowa, in 1975, where they were blessed with six children: Tamie, Theresa, Trudi, Tina, Timothy, and Travis.
Farming was Garry's first love, and he was a hard worker who dedicated his life to the land. Farming was not just his occupation, but his way of life. He took great pride in his work and did extensive welding on the farm, keeping equipment running and jobs done right. During the farming off-season, he worked at many jobs including EJ Butler's in Elmore, MN, Van Horn Auto Salvage in Buffalo Center, and trucking for KBT Trucking, hauling anything on a flatbed making it to all 48 states. After farming was over Garry worked in the concrete business starting with Lappe Ready Mix and for every company that owned it until retiring at 74.
Garry was very handy and could fix just about anything, a skill that family, friends, and neighbors often relied upon. Later in life, he started Spear Welding, keeping him busy for a few years until his real passion was found woodworking: Spears Wooden Toys was born, a passion he truly loved! He created wooden tractors, combines, semi tractor trailers, trucks, heavy construction equipment, cement trucks, and other farm-related pieces and he sold them all over the state of Iowa. When he wasn't creating something new, he could be found helping his children, whether back in a tractor or combine or a house build/remodel, or just fixing something that was broke. He always had to stay busy and loved helping his kids. He was very proud to see his talents were passed on to his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.
He also enjoyed 4-H time when the farm was filled with animals that his children were raising, years that brought the family many busy and memorable moments.
Later in life, Garry and Charlene enjoyed going to garage sales and gun shows, often taking their grandchildren along, creating special memories together. He was very proud of his gun collection and showed it off to anyone that wanted to look. Garry loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports, rarely missing a game. A familiar phrase, "Good one," was often heard whenever a shot was made.
He is survived by his children: Tamie (Kel) Koppen of Lakota, Iowa; Theresa (Rich) Berg of Buffalo Center, Iowa; Trudi Spear of Buffalo Center, Iowa; Tina (Keith) DeWitt of Waukee, Iowa; and Travis (Emily) Spear of Urbandale, Iowa.
He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Kelsie (Ben) Baggenstoss; Blake (Lindsey) Berg; Brooke Berg and her friend Nick Veenstra; Spencer (Ella) Bauer; Zach Bauer; Kalynn DeWitt; Madison DeWitt; Cooper DeWitt; Mason Spear; Tanner Spear; and Anibel Spear.
Garry was further blessed with great-grandchildren: Kade Koppen; Lukas and Kenna Baggenstoss; Lexi, Paige, Ava, and Cora Berg, with one more Bauer great-grandchild on the way. He shared his birthday with his great-granddaughter, Cora, a special connection that brought him great joy.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene; his son, Timothy; and his parents, Dick and Margaret Spear.