Gary Hunziker, age 59, died at the Mary Greeley Israel House, after a three year battle with multiple myeloma (cancer). The funeral will be on Thursday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 520 NW 36th Street, Ankeny, Iowa. A private burial will follow after the service. There will be a Celebration of Life on May 25 from 4-6 p.m. at the Sukup End Zone Club, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa. Gary enjoyed life to the fullest and we are going to celebrate him!
Gary was born in Ames, Iowa to Margaret and Erb Hunziker, the youngest of their six sons. He attended school in Ames, Iowa and graduated from Ames High School in 1975. He attended college at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Gary started working as a realtor for his father's company, H & F Realtors, in 1978 and continued as a realtor until 1994. At that time, he took over and eventually owned Hunziker Property Management in Ames, Iowa, until his death. Gary loved his work and even more importantly, he loved the people he worked with. Along with his son, Andy, he had many long-term co-workers he considered an extension of his family.
Gary married Chris Payer Hunziker on January 20, 1979, after they started dating in ninth grade. They spent their lives in Ames, Iowa raising their two children, Megan, born in 1983, and Andy, born in 1987. Gary loved spending time with his family over the years and being part of all of their school and sporting activities (softball, volleyball, baseball, soccer and hockey). Gary had a large extended family and he had wonderful family memories of holidays, vacations and lots of fun weekends (especially the Fourth of July) spent at Clear Lake. One of the best things about being a parent is that you eventually are lucky enough to be a grandparent-one of life's blessings. Megan and her husband, Joe, have a daughter and a son, Addy and Mason. Andy and his wife, Kelsey, have one daughter, Aubrey. Gary was a loving "Papa" and he treasured his time with his three grandchildren.
Gary loved sailing and spending time at Clear Lake, being a potter at CASA in Ames and attending ISU sporting events (especially football and basketball-he was truly one of ISU's best fans. According to Gary, ISU was always going to win every game:). Gary and Chris joined Hope Lutheran Church-Ames and loved being a part of that church family. Gary and Chris are lucky to have many wonderful and caring family and friends who were with us on this journey.
Gary is survived by his wife, Chris, and their children, Megan (Joe) Mulvihill of Overland Park, KS and their two children, Addy and Mason, and his son, Andy (Kelsey) Hunziker of Ames, Iowa and their daughter, Aubrey. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Hunziker, Ames, Iowa and his in-laws, Don and Jan Payer, Ames, Iowa. Gary is survived by four of his siblings, Jon (Bonnie) Hunziker, Dean (Darlene) Hunziker, Bob (Jane) Hunziker and Steve (Susan) Hunziker along with many nieces and nephews to whom he was very close. Gary had two close cousins, Dianne Schwalier and Rich Kincl.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Erb Hunziker, and his brother, Dave Hunziker along with Hobie and Woody (his two favorite dog companions). He is looking forward to being reunited with them in heaven and spending lots of time playing cards, fishing and watching over all of us.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Bliss Cancer Center, McFarland Clinic, Ames, Iowa. Gary and Chris both received such wonderful care and compassion from Dr. Rudrapatna and numerous nurses and staff.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Gary's laughter and fun personality will live on in all of our memories.
Brother Hunziker - thank you for being my Pledge Pop at Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Simpson College) fall 1976. The difference you made in my life continues to guide me today. May God always bless you and hold you close. I'll never forget the time that you, Brother Hurd, and I went to DSM to adopt 2 kittens (October 1976). My God, what were we thinking? We actually kept them in our Rooms. I can still hear Brother Dave Daniels saying "You did WHAT???" Yep, that was my roomie.
"The True Gentleman" never forgets. Phi Alpha, and Godspeed, Pop.
With much brotherly love and admiration,
Jeffrey (Jeff) Cook "Cookie" ('80)
Fall 1976 Pledge Class
My sincere condolences to all your family in the loss of Gary. Being an AHS classmate so many of us cherish our younger years of joy laughter and love. God bless you during this difficult time.
I send best wishes to the entire Hunziker (and Payer) families at this time. We did not share life experiences directly but I would be a second cousin to Chris (Payer) Hunziker. We have the same great-grandfather. It is a small world and all of our lives are connected. Know that others are thinking of you. David Payer, Des Moines, Iowa
I am extremely saddened and send my prayers and may he rest in peace. He was my neighbor and boy hood friend as I grew up on Ross rd. Playing ball and hot wheels in their house on Ross rd. in the 1970s. Those were great times and warm memories for me. He will be missed but not forgotten. Sending you love from Mpls.
Emanuel Ruedenberg
Chris and family, sorry to hear the passing of Gary. Glad to hear of family time shared, especially with grandchildren. The grandparent club is the best. I remember seeing you and Gary in the halls at AHS when we were going to Ames High. A wonderful long relationship, with marriage, children and careers. Peace be with all of you. Gary is at peace with no pain anymore. Judy (Brink) and Dave Brown
Chris and family: I worked for Gary at HPM between 2000 and 2002 while I was a college student. As I've grown in my own career over the years, his style of doing business has often crossed my mind as one to model as I make my own path. Gary was kind, generous and respectful to everyone, and I looked up to him for that. May God comfort you all during this time.
Chris and family - on behalf of the "California (Swatosh) family", we are sending our heartfelt condolences. We are so sad to learn of the passing of our youngest Hunziker cousin, Gary. Although we haven't lived our lives in everyday closeness to our Iowa cousins (although we've often wished it!), we are bonded by blood and family. We didn't know Gary well, but we are sure he was blessed with the kind and good spirit and being bestowed by our beloved Aunt Marge and Uncle Erb. And, because he was their child, he also no doubt possessed a good portion of joie-de-vie and brought laughter and a fun-loving optimism to those lucky enough to be around him. May you, your children, and the entire family find peace and comfort in your loving memories. With you in spirit and sending our love - (cousin) Sharon Swatosh Barncord, (Aunt) Britta Swatosh Thompson, (cousin) Stuart Swatosh, and (cousin) Shawn Swatosh and families
We are lucky to have known him. Our memories of Gary will always be good because he was quite simply a great good man. Our love to his family. The Lokken family
Went to school with Jeff, my condolences. May he rest in peace
Chris, condolences to you and your family.
Terry Lang AHS 75
Chris, Jim and I were so sad to trade of Gary's passing. Jim enjoyed visiting with him at Bliss. Our prayers to you and your family. Jim and Martha McCormick
Thinking of you and am so sorry for your loss! Kayleen Catus
Chris and family, Gary was truly a class act. He will be remembered for his kindness and sense of humor. My prayers are with you all. Barbie Doering
Chris , One can never say the right words to comfort you. But my heart & prayers go out to you & your family . Gary is with God now ,but he will forever be in your heart and your life of memories you have . God be with you & your Family during this hard time . Denise & Phil Lowry
Chris, I want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May all the beautiful memories provide some comfort to all of you. Joann Meyers Simonini
I am sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was one of my beloved fraternity brothers of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at Simpson College, Indiana, Iowa. We had many good times and I will always remember Gary fondly. Not only a great fraternity brother, but a forever friend. May he RIP and peace and my prayers to your whole family. Phi Alpha, Brendan Komenda, PO Box 1935, Blasdell, N.Y. 14219.
Chris, Megan and Andy,
So sorry for the loss of this fine husband, father, and grandfather....Gary was such a kind and gentle man....I feel fortunate to have known him. May the love he had for all of you fill your hearts. Love, Karen and Eric Hoiberg
Chris, Today Nancy let me know about Gary's passing. I remember a little about him in college when he would come to the Alpha Phi house to see you-he seemed like such a great guy! Please know that I am praying for peace and comfort to you and your family. Cyndie Senneff Beaumont
My condolences to Chris, Megan, Andy and the Hunziker families. I did not know Gary. His father-in-law, Don, was one of my parents' attorneys. May God provide you with peace and comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry of your lose to Chris and family. Gary's passing is too soon in life. Erb and my dad (Dale) had coffee weekly and talked often of family. I was able to keep track of Gary through the years from the coffee group. I have to think that Gary and that huge smile of will always be looking after his family. Peace be with you.
Chris and family: As you celebrate Gary's life, mourn his passing and cherish memories of a life well-lived, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of the many people who were privileged to share his life journey at one time or another. Peace be with you all.
Kent Kenyon
Chris, Megan and Andy, while deep sadness about Gary's passing hit first, I was taken back to fun times in my mind of plastic sweat suits, the Lark Studebacker, playing tennis with J.D., Mush and the gang after school at Inis Grove and Gary's unforgettable cackle laugh. I will never forget him hopping out of the Lark and racing back to the police car that had pulled us over in Ogden. Gary always represented to me the best a person could be and the sincere and selfless way he lived his life was incredible. It is truly a shame to lose such an amazing person at such a young age. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you all and the rest of the Hunziker family.
C. DeKovic
We are so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. There are no words to adequately say how heartbroken we are for your family, but please know we wish you strength and peace, and most importantly, as Gary knew, we wish you the deep love of family and friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Wendy and Jeff Herrick
Dear Chris, Megan, Andy and families, our hearts are broken in hearing the passing of Gary. He truly was a man that brought such joy and light to life. Our prayers and love are with you today and in the days to follow. In love, Bill and Sue Cronin🙏
Service
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Visitation
Ames, Iowa 50011
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