Gary Francis Huling

Gary Francis Huling, 81, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City. Gary was born on March 29, 1937, in Algona, Iowa, to Fern J. and Gladys A. (Nickerson) Huling. He graduated from Britt High School. Gary was united in marriage to Frances Mae Anderson on June 22, 1958, at Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church near Garner. Gary farmed southwest of Britt and together, they operated a Registered Holstein dairy herd for thirty years. He was active in both the District and State Holstein Association and was admitted to the Iowa Holstein Auxiliary Hall of Fame in 1986. Gary and Frances travelled all over the United States, after they retired, putting in more than 200,000 miles on several motor homes in the process. They also visited Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, Ireland, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Gary had the unique ability to strike up conversations with just about anyone and this led to some wonderful friendships with people from all over the country. For over 30 years Gary and Fran spent the winters in Arizona where he loved playing softball, going out with their many friends and playing cards. Gary and Fran moved to Hampton in 2005 where they spent the warmer months of the year. Gary was a member of the Hampton United Methodist Church where he really enjoyed adult Sunday school as he was the only man in the group. Gary enjoyed fishing for walleye in Minnesota and Canada but he enjoyed eating them even more. Gary was a wonderful example of how God intended husbands to love their wives. Gary nursed Fran through several bouts of cancer and two broken hips, never leaving her side and proving that he took his vows of "through sickness and health till death do us part" seriously. Gary was just as much in love with Fran after 60 years of marriage as he was when they first began dating. Gary was also a fantastic father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He listened when you talked to him, joked when you needed a laugh, offered advice when you asked, gave consolation when you were sad, and loved you all of the time. Gary is survived by his wife of sixty years Frances Huling of Hampton, daughter Jeannette and husband Wayne Clayton of Marion, son Steven and wife Luann Huling of Hampton, son Alan and wife Julie Huling of Bonney Lake, Washington, grandchildren Amanda and husband Ryan Rahmiller, Deborah and husband Aaron Masterson, Christopher Huling, Emily and husband Dustin Naniot, and Russell Clayton, great-grandchildren Henry Rahmiller, Oliver Masterson and Alex Naniot, brother Daryl Huling of Belmond, sister-in-law Ivalou Huling, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Fern and Gladys, daughter Connie, brothers Marvin, Dale and Gene and sister June. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gary's family for future disbursement.

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Gary Francis Huling

March 29, 1937 - September 19, 2018