Gary Carl Mensinger

Gary Carl Mensinger was born on March 01, 1940, to Russell Carl Mensinger and Grace Marie Nielsen in Clinton, Iowa. He shared his childhood with one brother, Jerry Mensinger. He married Joanne Elizabeth Howard on December 17, 1960, in Clinton, Iowa.
Gary and Joanne treasured their time together celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary on December 17, 2024, just a few months before Joanne's passing in February. All who knew Gary knew the great love he had for all that nature had to offer. He loved being outside, but in the later stages of Joanne's illness, Gary never left her side. For almost two years, he only left her after his own health declined, and he was no longer able to stay with her. Love like this is rare, and it is beautiful. It has always been Joanne and Gary's desire that their deaths be honored together, and in the same intimate fashion in which they had always shared their lives. Throughout their lives, Joanne and Gary spent countless hours impacting the world around them. Just like Joanne, Gary's desire is that his life be remembered by who he was, instead of what he did.
What made Gary the man we all know and love? Gary was a fisheries biologist, commercial fisherman, conservationist, and woodland owner. His favorite first memory was sitting in front of the skull boat, duck hunting with his dad and grandpa. He loved the river, he loved fishing, he loved being in the backwaters and just watching the wildlife. He was a strong advocate for cleaning up the river and spent countless hours mitigating the impact of big industries who were using it as a dumping ground. He and Joanne spent decades involved in numerous organizations whose missions are to protect the environment and all the wildlife who live here. They truly believed that we are meant to share the resources of this world with all the living creatures instead of dominating them. That we should be good stewards of the land not only for our future generations, but for the generations of wildlife that also call it home. Together they planted thousands of trees on the farm, put up hundreds of bird houses and established many other practices to sustain wildlife. They shared this love with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have also been involved in planting and protecting trees, and habitat management.
Wildlife wasn't the only passion they shared together. Their love was also based on music. Gary's love for music started when he was very young and continued through high school which is where he met his future wife, also known as Mom. Gary attended Clinton High School because Camanche didn't have their own yet. That is where their bond blossomed. In fact, Mom gave their band director credit for bringing them together. He sat them right next to each other with both playing the first part, seats one and two. Dad also sang in a quartet in school and in a barbershop quartet after high school. Their love for music continued to grow throughout their time together, spending many hours listening to classical, rock (no steel guitars for Mom, though) and barbershop quartets.
Dad had respect for the laws of nature and a general love for all animals. He understood that when animals become overpopulated, they all suffer. Like Mom, he also enjoyed the baby raccoons climbing on the patio screen doors, the little chipmunks who all had names, and the dozens of cats that have been lucky to call the farm their home over several decades. Most of all, Dad loved Pandy, the cat, who spent the last 8 months in Dad's room with him, never leaving his side. Pandy had such an impact on the staff, that it wasn't long before the nameplate next to the door was changed to, "Gary and Pandy."
Dad loved his family. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandpa and great grandpa. Over 64 years of marriage, what started out as just the two of them grew into an amazing family of two children: Kelley Lynn Brown of Bellevue, Iowa and Jeffrey Carl (Liesl) Mensinger of Camanche, Iowa, six grandchildren: Scott (Shaina) Krava, Zachary (Abbey) Krava, Jay Brown, Sierra Brown, Cody (Savannah) Mensinger and Bailey (Brady) Beal, and eight great-grandchildren: Felix Krava, Asher Krava, Zander Krava, Ayla Krava, Zoey Krava, Caden Mensinger, Colter Mensinger and Boaz Beal.
Dad was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joanne, both his parents; Russ and Grace, his in-laws; Marion and Elizabeth Howard, and his brother and sister-in-law: Jerry and Alice Mensinger.
In respect and honor of Mom and Dad's wishes, there will not be a public service or visitation. However, we would invite you to share your love, support, and favorite memories by sending an email or a note to kelbrown04@gmail.com or Kelley Brown at 30908 Bellevue-Cascade Rd, Bellevue, IA 52031. We will then read them out loud as part of an intimate family celebration when we all get together in a few weeks.
Our love and gratitude go out to all of you who became a part of the many, many, stories Dad shared throughout the decades. To become a part of his story meant you carried a very special place in his heart. Special thanks also to all the love given to both our parents when they lived in Clover Ridge, Mill Valley, and Sunset Park Place, and the amazing, unconditional love and care from the nurses and staff at Care Initiatives Hospice, Manchester.
We are their legacy, and we will carry out that legacy with love, honor, and grace, not to mention a lot of good ole-fashioned blood, sweat and tears, and maybe a diet Mt. Dew along the way. We love you Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Great-grandma and Great-grandpa. We will make the best out of our lives and enjoy the beautiful view along the way.