Gaylord Nowack
Gaylord I. Nowack, 92, of Denver, Iowa, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Oak Park Estates Assisted Living and Memory Care in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Gaylord Irving Nowack was born September 9, 1932, in rural Pocahontas County, near Havelock, Iowa, to Arthur and Jennie (Duitsman) Nowack. He was baptized on October 9, 1932, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard, Iowa and confirmed in the Christian faith at First Lutheran Church in Fonda, Iowa in 1945. Gaylord participated in choir, basketball, and baseball growing up. Gaylord graduated from Havelock High School in 1951. Gaylord completed studies at the Commercial Extension Depot Agent School in Omaha, NE in 1953. Gaylord enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in March, 1953, serving four years, and was honorably discharged in 1957.
Gaylord was united in marriage to Rose Marie Leith on a weekend pass, June 28, 1953. Gaylord attended the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduating in 1964. He was employed by Travelers Insurance, John Deere (21 years, retiring 1987), and after retirement continued to work at the Do-It Corporation in Denver, Iowa.
Gaylord was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Denver, Iowa participating in choir and working as church custodian. Gaylord was a very hard worker and had many talents and skills that he shared. He loved to repair, refurbish, and create: doing the majority of building to the family home in Denver with beautiful fieldstone and brick fireplaces, projects at his daughter’s homes, and the family mechanic for all vehicles. If it was broke, Gaylord could fix it. Gaylord enjoyed golfing, bowling league, music (especially big band and his daughter’s piano music), watching his daughters participate in sports and music as they grew. Gaylord loved his family tremendously and spending time with them playing cards and games, boating and fishing on family vacations, and “just being together.” Gaylord has always said, “He was so thankful that God gave him five girls.”
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Rose (71 years of marriage) of Denver, Iowa, four daughters, Gayle (Chuck) Rector of Denver, Iowa, Linda (Larry) Flaharty of Dickens, Iowa, Pamela (Edward) Clemens of Amery, Wisconsin, Carrie (Scott) Carey of Waterloo, Bill Boehnke (former husband to deceased daughter Laura), 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 7 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, A. Francis and Berniece Nowack, and daughter, Laura (Nowack) Boehnke.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Denver with Pastor Jessie Schlie officiating. The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held in the Fairview Cemetery in Denver with a flag presentation performed by the Acker-Matthias American Legion Post #653 of Denver. Memorials may be directed to the church and online condolences may be left at kaisercorson.com.
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Denver is in charge of arrangements. 319-984-5379