Gerry Lee Gienger Obituary

(March 12th, 1937 - October 1st, 2024)

Gerry Lee Gienger born in Waterloo, IA on March 12, 1937, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and caretakers on October 1, 2024. Gerry was the former husband of Katherine Florence McGowan Gienger. His second wife, Deborah A. Delamore Gienger preceded him in death in 2013. Gerry was the only son of Leland and Alice Lorraine Stevenson Gienger and grew up on Bertch Street, graduating from West Waterloo High School Class of 1955. Gerry went on to graduate from the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) where he met first wife Kay. Together they had three children, two of which survive him, Karen Kay Gienger Gibbs (Robert) of Cameron, Mo. and Jerri Sue Gienger of Beverly Hills, CA. Preceding him in death was his favorite child, Graham Colin Gienger aka Beanie or Graham-Bo.

After Iowa State Teachers College, Gerry went on to receive a Doctorate degree in Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. Gerry and the family relocated back to Waterloo in the 1960s where he practiced Optometry. On a whim, and during a trip to Iowa City, he decided to enroll at the University of Iowa School of Dentistry where he graduated in 1969. From there, Gerry went on to obtain his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry (Omaha). In 1974 he moved the family back to Waterloo where he would enjoy a lengthy career practicing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Gerry enjoyed many outdoor activities including fishing in Minnesota as well as fishing in the boundary waters of Canada and many other favorite fishing spots. Snow skiing and bicycling in Colorado were often sports he excelled at, loved training for and spending as much time as possible. Among his many accomplishments, he completed the Pedal the Peaks bicycle ride, the 42-mile Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Trail Run and multiple years of attending RAGBRAI. The only thing he enjoyed more than skiing or cycling was motor sports. Gerry had a strong interest in and a cherished hobby of racing cars on weekends and was a fully engaged member of the Sports Car Club of America. He had an MGB that was very special ... until it wasn’t, but he certainly loved all the adventures that racing brought to his life.

Gerry was a proud former Trustee of Hawkeye Community College and a past board member of the Waterloo YMCA where he enjoyed spending time in the gym, taking spin classes and having coffee in the morning with his Y- buddies.

Gerry enjoyed life in Waterloo and married his second wife, Deb Delamore Gienger, at Byrnes Park in 2000. Gerry was a loving stepfather to Deb’s two children, Sara Wheeler (Robbie) of Dunkerton and Brian Morris (Angie) of Davenport. Years after Deb’s passing, Gerry and Kay re-connected and moved to Arizona enjoying the slower pace and warmer weather. Fountain Hills was his final home, and a much-loved destination for friends and family to gather in celebration of living life to the fullest.

Surviving grandchildren include Brady (Caleigh) Hill, Keegan Hill, Matt Wheeler, Allison Wheeler, Mason Morris, Mya Morris, Alison Scherf (Chicago, IL), Jessica Gibbs (Missoula, MO), Ariel Gibbs (Columbia, MO), RJ Gibbs (Cameron, MO) and Danny Gibbs (Des Moines, IA). In lieu of cards or flowers, please hug a family member and tell them you love them.