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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Gary Nanke
GARY LEE NANKE
Marion
Gary Lee Nanke, 72, of Marion died peacefully at home on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, of cancer (pheochromocytoma). Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2202 Forest Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Michael Erickson officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church.
Gary Lee Nanke was born March 3, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Carl and Ada Jones Nanke. He was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Stock on Aug. 11, 1963, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Stanwood. Gary graduated from Stanwood High School and received his BA in teaching from The University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, and master of mathematics from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. He taught at Monticello High School for 23 years. Gary also coached basketball and baseball. In 1989, Gary continued his career as a math consultant for Area 7 in Cedar Falls and finished his teaching career at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary; three children, Stephanie (Bryan) Bredman, David (Jenn) Nanke and Jason (Jess) Nanke; nine grandchildren, Nate Sauser, Tiffany Bredman, Ben Sauser, Scott Bredman, Zoe Nanke, Izzy Nanke, Ashton Nanke, Sam Nanke and Eli Nanke; and brothers, Larry (Sharon) Easler, Keith (Lois) Nanke and John (Roxy) Nanke.
He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Dacota.
Gary enjoyed his golf and playing cards, especially with his Monticello poker group. He loved traveling to many destinations in his retirement, including Florida, Hawaii, Europe, Alaska and Canada. Above all these adventures were his family vacations fishing in Blanche Lake, Minn.
While he will be remembered as a wonderful teacher and coach, Gary's greatest accomplishment, love and joy were his children and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memory donations may be made to Camp Courageous, Monticello, and Hospice of Mercy, Cedar Rapids.
Online condolences may be directed to www.chapmanfh.com.
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