Carl O. Gibbs Jr.

MASON CITY Carl O. Gibbs Jr., age 78, of Mason City, died Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday (February 26, 2010) at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 4th St. S.E., with Pastor Paul Nelson officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday (February 25, 2010) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Carl Gibbs memorial fund in care of the family.

Carl was born December 18, 1931, in Mason City, the son of Carl Sr. and Hulda (OGreen) Gibbs. Hulda later married John J. Smitty Ringis who raised and became Carls father. He graduated from High School, attended Drake University and graduated from Buena Vista. Carl was very proud to have served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 1954 on the USS New Jersey during the Korean War. Carl married June Foss on February 11, 1954 in Mason City. Over the years, Carl worked for Farmers Grain Dealer in Des Moines, Frank Embusk Accounting Firm in Mason City, Forest City Elevator as a Controller, and the State of Iowa Dept. of Revenue before retiring. He had a passion for numbers. Carl was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Harding Masonic Lodge #649 A.F. & A.M., AMVETS, and a life long member of the VFW. He enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, fishing, crossword puzzles, socializing with people, working with numbers and surfing the internet.

Carl is survived by his wife of 56 years: June Gibbs of Mason City; his children: Helen Holtan and husband Paul of Minneapolis, MN, Carla Dempsey and husband Terry of Mason City, Christopher Gibbs of Mason City; 7 grandchildren: Andrew Holtan and wife Sarah of Milwaukee, WI, Miranda Holtan and Nicholas Holtan - both of Minneapolis, MN, Heidi Wilson and husband Aaron of Eagan, MN, Erin Julson and special friend Kenny Hudson of Rudd, IA, Joshua Dempsey and Megan Dempsey both of Mason City; 3 great grandchildren: Pierce Wilson, Kairi and Alexandria Hudson; 1 brother: John Ringis of Mason City; 2 sisters: Sandra Solsaa of Mason City and Cheryl Ringis of Green Bay, WI. He is also survived by family, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Hulda Ringis; 1 son: Carl O. Gibbs III; in-laws: Clarence and Alice Foss.