Rev. Dr. Glenn Wilson

Reverend Dr. Sherman Glenn Wilson Jr., affectionately known as Pastor Glenn, age 72, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 26th, 2024. A loving husband, father, pastor, counselor, and dedicated servant of God, Pastor Glenn’s life was a testament to his faith, compassion, and commitment to service. 

A celebration of Pastor Glenn’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Mason City on Tuesday, December 31st at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.

To view the livestream of his service on Tuesday please click the following link:  Reverend Dr. Glenn Wilson Funeral Service Livestream

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lakeshore Center on Okoboji in his honor. Pastor Glenn’s unwavering faith and love for others will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched. He is now resting in the arms of his Savior.

 Born on July 19, 1952, in Leesburg, Florida, Glenn was the son of Sherman and Edna ‘Ruth’ (Boyd) Wilson. Raised in the heart of Florida, he spent his early years on the family farm, where he developed a strong work ethic and deep love for the land. A gifted athlete in high school, Glenn excelled in baseball and football, earning recognition for his talents. He was also an active leader, serving as Senior Class President and was State Parliamentarian for Florida’s Future Farmers of America (FFA), where he discovered his passion for public speaking. After graduating from South Sumter High School, Glenn pursued higher education at Lake-Sumter Community College and the University of Florida. He then received his Masters of Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Following his college years, Glenn worked as a journalist for the Sumter County Times, which nurtured his love for travel and adventure. His journey led him to Camp Merrowvista in New Hampshire, where he served as a certified Camp Director with the American Youth Foundation. During this time, Glenn also returned to Sumter County to teach Journalism at South Sumter High School. Glenn’s life took a significant turn when he became a lay-pastor at the Linden Methodist Church in Florida. In 1993 Glenn's calling to ministry grew stronger, and he took on the role of Camp Director at Rainbow Glacier Camp in Haines, Alaska, where he discovered a love for the Pacific Northwest and its people. In 1995, the Wilson family moved from Florida, to Kake, Alaska, where Pastor Glenn served as lay minister at Memorial Presbyterian Church. Glenn was adopted into the Tlingit Tribe in Kake, Alaska. Glenn’s passion for theology led him to further his studies at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he earned a Masters of Divinity in 2003. During his studies he served as student pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and later served as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Burt and Woden, Iowa, from 2005 until his retirement in 2018. In 2011, he received his Doctorate of Ministry from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. During this time he had the honor of serving as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa, where he provided invaluable leadership and insight. Glenn enjoyed writing religious plays and performing in theater productions in Burt, Algona and Bancroft.

 Glenn is survived by his wife, Diane DiPietro Wilson of Mason City; children, Benjamin Wilson of St. Paul, MN, and Leon Wilson of Omaha, NE; his sister, Donna (Louie) Wells of Lake Panasoffkee, FL; brother, Randy (Georgette) Wilson of Leesburg, FL; along with many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Glenn Wilson and Edna Ruth Wilson of Webster, FL.