Gary Robert Bemiss

Gary Robert Bemiss passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025 early in the morning at Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin after a lengthy illness. Gary was born on
February 24, 1945 to Robert and Frances (Halverson) Bemiss in West Union, Iowa. Gary was baptized at the Bethel Presbyterian Church and confirmed there. Gary graduated
from North High school in 1963 where he was a standout athlete. He went on to attend college at Wayne State where he majored in physical education and played football.
Gary was united in marriage with Catherine Bemiss on August 13,1966 at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union. Four children were born to this Union, Kevin, Christine, Kelli and Gary Michael. Gary came back from Wayne State after the death of his parents and ran an Anheuser-Busch Wholesalership with his brother Paul until it was sold in June of 2020. Their business started off on Linden Street with a warehouse behind Gary's home, they then built a warehouse on Armour Street. The business kept growing and in November of 2000 Bemiss Distributing moved out to the Industrial Park where it currently is under the new ownership. In 1992 dad became a volunteer coach for the North Fayette Hawks and then the North Fayette Valley Tigerhawks. It was his greatest love. Those student athletes and the coaching staff meant so much to him. He not only coached them, he cared about them. He also was one of the spearheads of the Knob Prairie Golf Tournament that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the youth of our community. If you look around the town you will see so many projects for the kids. Those projects are all being utilized today. Gary loved golfing, his family, his friends and coaching those young men., and his community. He leaves behind an amazing legacy.
Gary is survived by his four children, Kevin (Caroline) Bemiss, Christine, (Rick Thompson), Kelli (Dave) Lau and Gary Michael (Tara) Bemiss. Gary is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Kedrick (Ciara) Bemiss, Jenna (Collin) Kane, Brittany (Greg) Bemiss Thompson, Brianna (Miles) Meyers, Brooke (Jared) Kerr, Derik Lau, Allison Lau, Lukas Lau, Braeden Bemiss and Blake Bemiss. He had one great grandchild, Brooks Beaumont. He is also survived by his sister Linda Schwarting and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Gary was proceeded in death by his parents Robert and Frances Halverson Bemiss, his wife, Catherine Irene Renwick Bemiss, and his brother Paul Bemiss.
A Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the West Union Event Center in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Friday May 2, 2025 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union with Pastor Lori Kleppe as the officiant.
Inurnment will follow at the West Union City Cemetery in West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.
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