Gary J. Vogl

Gary John Vogl age 75, of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpected, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at his residence in Rock Rapids.

 Visitation will be Friday, January 24th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA.

 Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 25th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Roger Linnan as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

 Gary John Vogl was born on April 7, 1949, to Carl Joseph and Lorraine Adelia (Ubl) Vogl. He graduated from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids in 1968 while simultaneously receiving his welding certificate from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, IA. He served daily Mass before school for several years, including the last Mass held at the old church on Hwy 9 and the first Mass held at the current church. He and his brother Al volunteered as care takers for the church cemetery. Gary also served as a Catechism teacher. Gary married Betty Mae Hitzemann of Worthington, MN, on June 7, 1969, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids. 

  Gary served in Vietnam from March of 1969 to November 1970 where he was one of only four radio specialists for the Army. Upon returning, some of Gary’s employment included a welder, a semi-driver, and a school bus driver for his children’s high school events. His final job was helping Betty with her in-home daycare as a cook and a “child entertainer” until they both retired in 2016. 

  He was a member of American Legion Rex Strait Post 103 of Rock Rapids, a lifetime member of V.F.W. Van Anne Fields Post 6960 of Rock Rapids, and a 40-year member of Eagles Aerie 3282 of Worthington, MN.

  Gary spent time doing bodywork on vehicles, rebuilding engines, and woodworking: making frames to birdhouses to roll-top desks. He also enjoyed bowling, roller skating, dancing, driving around, and visiting with fellow veterans at V.F.W. 6960. During summers, he loved spending time with family (including a multitude of extended family) while camping, fishing, waterskiing, playing cards, and reminiscing at Round Lake and later Loon Lake, MN. After retirement, he played games with Betty outside on the back deck for hours whenever the weather would allow. He often enjoyed watching Mass in Latin on television. 

  Gary is survived by Betty his wife of fifty-five years; children Michelle (Steven) Cox of Holland, IA, and Michael (Erin) Vogl of Rapid City, SD; son-in-law Jesse Moser of Inwood, IA; grandchildren Andy, Amy, & Matt Cox, Hailey and Jack Vogl, Taylor, Jamie, Martin, and Cole Moser; siblings Allen (Rae) Vogl of Ames, IA, Gene (Dianne) Vogl of Rock Rapids, IA, Mary Jo (Ray) Fenton of Carl Junction, MO, and Mark Vogl of Springfield, MO; brother-in-law Jerry Feldman of Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces & nephews and other extended family. 

  Gary was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Lorraine (Ubl) Vogl; daughter Melissa Moser; sister Janice Feldman; brother Paul Vogl (wife Mary) of Hope Mills, NC; former brother-in-law Gary Busse; father-in-law Robert “Bob” Hitzemann and mother-in-law Dorothy “Dottie” Hitzemann; infant nieces Crystal & Cassie Garberson; and brother-in-law James “Jim” Hitzemann.