Gordon H Cornwall

Gordon Harold Cornwall, was born on August 13, 1935 to Harold and Mildred (Thevenin) Cornwall at Aurelia, Iowa. Gordy passed away suddenly on January 5, 2026 at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville at the age of 90.
His family moved to Washta, Iowa when he was six years old. He graduated from Washta High School in 1954. Gordy was a starting varsity pitcher and basketball player in high school. He pursued excellence in all areas of life, especially academics. Education was important to him, and he instilled the value of learning in his children and grandchildren. He then went to Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa and graduated with a degree in business education. He entered into the United States Army Reserve at this time. After completing his active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he started teaching and coaching at Anthon, Iowa in the fall of 1959. This is where he met his wife Joan Kettler, who was also teaching at Anthon. The couple got married on June 17, 1963 in Monterey, California. They then moved to Hawarden, where Gordy taught middle school. He then completed his master's degree in School Administration from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota, earning many post graduate credits. Gordy was a principal at Manilla and Eldon, Iowa, before coming to Estherville. He was the elementary school principal for 25 years. He was in the field of education for 38 years. It was while he was teaching at Hawarden, that he started a summertime job as a crop-hail adjuster with Rain & Hail Insurance Service in Des Moines. He worked as an adjuster in the summer for several years, retiring from that job in 2004. Gordy's joys in life were his family, playing golf, cards, and fishing with Joan. Gordy and Joan were active golfers and shuffleboard players while enjoying a 20 year retirement with their winter friends in Florida. They also enjoyed several cruises from Alaska to the Caribbean. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 62 years Joan of Estherville; his children Susan (Greg) Hauswirth of Spencer, Michael (Kathy) Cornwall of Estherville, and Randy (Stacie) Cornwall of Spirit Lake; his grandchildren Miles (Cody) Fletcher, Carlee (Cole) Beecher, Olivia (Austin) Anderson, Hayden Cornwall, Addison Cornwall, Nicholas (Macy) Cornwall, Nathan Cornwall, and Jacob Cornwall; and his great-grandchildren Hallett Fletcher, Huntley Anderson, and Lainey Cornwall.
Gordon is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Wanda Sherrill and Marjorie Bice.