William F. Bill" Gildner

William F. ?Bill? Gildner, 89, of 78 River Heights Drive, died Sunday (February 13, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM Friday (April 8, 2005) at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia with Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Inurnment will be in Park Cemetery, Nora Springs. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to the donor?s choice in memory of Bill. Bill was born December 6, 1915 to William E. and Ann (Buckman) Gildner in Mason City. Bill graduated from Mason City High School, attended Mason City Junior College then graduated from the University of Iowa where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He also attended Columbia University Graduate School in New York City. Mr. Gildner was the only son of W.E. Gildner, founder of Gildner?s Men?s Clothing Stores which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998. During W.W.II, Bill was employed in the Waterloo Gildner?s and active in the Civil Air Patrol of the Army Air Force. When Bill returned to Mason City he was employed by Gildner?s which then included 20 men?s clothing stores and jeans shops. Bill was the manager of the Mason City store and later president and CEO of all the stores with their general offices located on the 2nd floor of the Gildner store building, downtown Mason City. Mr. Gildner was active in the First United Methodist Church, past president of the Mason City Retail Association, past board member of the YMCA, Pioneer Savings and Loan and United Home Bank, a sponsor of the Salvation Army Care Facility and a member of the Kiwanis Club and Elks Club. Through the years Bill had many hobbies some of which included building a car and several ice boats. Bill enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time at the family cottage near Walker, Minnesota. Bill was a certified pilot for over 40 years. He also enjoyed his given talent in Art. In 1939, Bill married Rachael Clapsaddle of Burt, Iowa and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary July 12, 2004. Bill is survived by his wife, Rachael of Mason City; 3 children, John Gildner and wife Nancy of Marshalltown, John was the 3rd generation of Gildner?s Men?s Clothing Stores, Douglas Gildner and wife Gretchen of Minneapolis, MN, Barbara Gildner of Los Angeles, CA; 2 grandchildren, Jennifer Gildner-Blinn and husband Read of Keene, NH, Adam Gildner of St. Louis Park, MN; 1 great grandchild, Lake Gildner-Blinn of Keene, NH; sister, Eleanor Hageboeck of Wayzata, MN. Bill?s parents, W.E. and Ann Gilder and grandson, Andrew John Gildner preceded him in death.

Visitation:
4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at on February 13, 2005 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at on February 13, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church on April 8, 2005 (map/driving directions)