Gary Lee Kaune, 77, of Waterloo, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Prairie Hill in Independence, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice.
He was born on October 31, 1945, in
Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Glen E. and Betty Dawn (Walters-Geiger) Kaune. Gary attended school in Waterloo, graduating from East High School in 1963. After high school, he furthered his education at the University of Northern Iowa, later attending Iowa State School of Engineering. Gary honorably served his country in the United States Army as a E-5 Drill Sergeant, heading Leadership Preparation Courses I and II. He was awarded the National Defense Award and Good Conduct Medal.
Gary worked for John Deere for 30 years, retiring in 2001 as a Senior Manufacturer Engineer, where he earned recognition of helping get two John Deere patents that were co-authorized, and earning an engineering award from Enterpac Manufacturing. On April 15, 1967, Gary was united in marriage to Linda M. Scholl. She preceded him in death on May 29, 2010. He later married Jo on April 21, 2013.
He was a former member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and most recently Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Waterloo. He was also a former member of the Waterloo AMVETS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. In Gary's free time, he enjoyed drag and stock car racing and building and showing custom cars.
Gary is survived by his wife, Jo Kaune of Waterloo; son Douglas (Amy) Kaune of Waterloo; stepdaughter Tambra (Stacy) Simpson of Conrad, IA, and stepson Brian (Annette) Garbes of Waterloo; 6 grandchildren Addyson Kaune, Mackenzie (Michelle) Ryan, Mikaela Rae, Abagale (Michael) DiaGiacoma and Alex and Aaron Garbes; 5 great-grandchildren Paislee, Gabriel, Franklin, Arthur and Madelyn; sisters Karen (Gary) Eliason, Lylia Hare, Brenda Rand and Judy Peterson, all of Waterloo. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Linda Kaune; son Glenn Kaune.
A graveside inurnment will be held on Thursday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo, with full military rites performed by the Waterloo American Legion and VFW and the Iowa National Guard. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice. Locke at Tower Park has been entrusted with arrangements. For memories of Gary and messages of condolence, please visit www.lockefuneralservices.com.