Lynn Dallas Gaulke, age 74, a long-time resident of Nevada, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 16, 2014.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, with Pastor Myron Herzberg officiating. Committal services were 3 p.m. Wednesday in Morgan Cemetery, Dows, Iowa. Visitation was held at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.
Lynn Gaulke was born to Fay and Verna (Larsen) Gaulke on December 6, 1939, in Dows, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Dows and graduated from Dows High School in 1959. Lynn went on to study auto mechanics at the U.S. Trade School in Kansas City, Missouri.
He married Judy Nelsen in 1959. To that 13-year union were born two children, a son, Bennett, and a daughter, Natalie. In October of 1974, Lynn married Lillian (DeJaegher) Wightman and adopted her young daughter, Jill.
Lynn worked as an auto mechanic for both the Ford and Chevrolet garages in Nevada for 15 years. In 1977, he acquired his own business, Lynn's Car Wash, in Ames, Iowa, which he operated for over 30 years prior to his retirement.
Lynn was enlisted in the Iowa National Guard from 1958 until 1964, earning the rank of sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion, Memorial Lutheran Church, and Golden K Kiwanis. He was also a member of the Iowa Car Wash Association, serving as president for a year.
Lynn's interests and hobbies included flying his own plane, collecting and fixing antique clocks, observing wildlife and working on his acreage south of Nevada. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, RV trips, and attending ISU basketball games. He especially cherished family gatherings, watching grandchildren's extracurricular events, and special fishing trips to Canada.
Lynn is survived by his wife of 39 years, Lillian; three children, Bennett (Debra) Gaulke of Des Moines, Natalie (Anthony) McBride of Clive, and Jill (Scott) Harlan of Waterloo; nine grandchildren, Nathan (Rachelle) Gaulke, Lauren Gaulke, Logan (Kindra) Gaulke, Mark (Annaliesa) McBride, Jeff (Nicole) McBride, Meghan McBride, Colin McBride, Cameron Harlan, and Alexis Harlan; four great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jason Gaulke, and Savannah and Jacob McBride; two brothers, Roger Gaulke of Dows, and Lowell (Karen) Gaulke of Mount Pleasant; and many relatives and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Karen Gaulke; and a sister-in-law, Ardith Gaulke.
Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada was entrusted with the care of Lynn and his family.