Gary D. Hillman

Gary D. Hillman, 77, of Mason City, died Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 South Jefferson, with Pastor Jane Harris officiating. Inurnment will follow in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, 2023, from 4-6 p.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania.

Gary Dexter Hillman was born on March 30, 1946, to parents Samuel and Vyvienne (Destival) Hillman in Oelwein, Iowa. Gary graduated from Oelwein High School, and shortly after, started working for Union Pacific Railroad as a Car Foreman. He was employed there for 35 years until his retirement in 2006.

Gary was united in marriage to Nancy J. Dawson on September 12, 1964, in Oelwein. The couple were blessed with two daughters: Lori and Leshia.

Gary was a member of the Highland Park Golf Course and on most summer days he could be found playing golf with his friends.  Gary always said it never rained at the golf course.  He enjoyed bowling and loved cheering on his Iowa State Cyclones. He was an avid fisherman. In his younger years, Gary had fond memories of numerous waterfowl hunts with his sons in law and granddaughter.  He was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed attending the Railroad Retirement Breakfast with his friends. Gary had many close friends; they did many things together and he loved spending time with them.

Family meant the world to Gary. He loved his kids and grandkids dearly and was so excited to be a great grandpa. Gary was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend and will be deeply missed by those who knew him and loved him.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Lori (Steve) Hubbard and Leshia (Troy) Cummins; two sisters, Joyce Stille and Becky Bayness; six grandchildren, Lindsey (Aaron) Kuefler, Ashlyn (Larry) Beyer, Eryn (Zach) Stuart, Nicholas Cummins, Samuel Cummins, and Whitney Cummins; three great grandkids, Corbin Kuefler, Elijah Kuefler, and Loralynn Beyer; sister-in-law, Deanna Dawson; and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; his parents, and sisters, EmmaLou Schoentag and LaVelle Riechers; and brother, LaVerle Hillman.