Gary Spring, 86, of New Market, Iowa, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Clarinda Municipal Hospital.
Gary Wayne Spring was born on January 22, 1939, in a farmhouse near Siam, Iowa. His parents were Crystal (Combs) and Glenn E. Spring. Shortly after, the family moved to a farm near Hawleyville, Iowa where he entered Kindergarten, soon moving from there to his present farm in Dallas township where he attended Frog Valley School through the 8th grade. Always telling kids and grandkids he was the smartest one in his class (he was the only one in his class!) He graduated from New Market High School in 1957. He was active in sports until he had a knee injury, then was manager for both football and basketball teams. He worked part time at the Phillips 66 station in his junior and senior years. He joined the National Guard in his junior year. In June of 1957, Gary served six months of active duty in the National Guard. He and Loleta were baptized before Gary left for Guard. He returned home for a while then attended Weaver Airline School in Kansas City, Missouri, accepted a job with Southern Airways in Albany, Georgia and moved there in September. He returned home on December 31 to marry his high school sweetheart, Loleta Keller; on a very stormy, 18 degrees below zero night on January 2, 1959. On advice from their minister, they poured water over the car to freeze over it so no one could decorate it. Gary had played many pranks on others, making Loleta fearful the favor would be returned! They moved to Georgia the next Monday and lived there the next year making lifelong friends.
In February of 1960 they were called home due to the serious illness of his father, and Gary resigned his job to stay and take care of the farm for his parents. Sadly, his father passed away in July. His mother found happiness again and remarried; but she and her second husband, Ermel Todd were tragically killed in a car accident while on vacation in 1966 near Stockton, Kansas.
Gary and Loleta were blessed with three children; Jeffrey Glenn was born on March 6, 1960, Melanie Lynne on November 9, 1961, and Marcy Elaine on April 1, 1973. Gary’s family was the most important part of his life. He always looked forward to visits from his kids and grandkids, encouraging mischief any chance he got.
Farming was his passion, and he was a very ambitious worker. He milked cows for many years, raised hogs and many cattle. He served on the Taylor County ASC committee, the FHA board, Clarinda Co-op board and Farmers Mutual Telephone board. Gary was still very active with his cow herd up until his illness and he never considered retiring! He passed on his work ethic to all three children and especially the love for farming to Jeff and Melanie.
Welcoming Gary home were his parents, Glenn and Crystal Spring; daughter, Melanie Mulkins; sister, Joyce (Ralph) Steeve; grandparents; parents-in-law, Vance and Helen McPike; brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty (Alvin) Clayton, Jack Keller, Arlene (Ross) King, Jim (Anita) Keller, Jean (Roy) Graham, Mary (Bob) Leighton, Lyle Combs, Judy Sparks along with several nieces and nephews.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Loleta; son, Jeff Spring and wife Connie of New Market, Iowa; daughter Marcy and husband Eric Baker of Bradenton, Florida; grandchildren, Crystal Parra, Jeffrey Mulkins, Jesse (Ryannan) Mulkins, Taylor (Jayden) Glassgow; step grandchildren, Chelsey Smith and Dylan Baker; great grandchildren, Ronald Weidman, Jackson Mulkins, Rylee Mulkins, Jayda Mulkins, Frankie Glassgow and step grandchild, Memphis Dornath; other relatives and many friends.
Gary will be missed by his loving family and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Nodaway Valley Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Russ Clark officiating. Burial will be at the Memory Cemetery in rural New Market, Iowa. Open visitation will be held Friday, November 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Nodaway Valley Funeral Home. The family will not be present for the open visitation on Friday. Memorials are kindly suggested to the New Market Fire and Rescue or the Memory Cemetery in New Market. Arrangements were entrusted to the Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda.
