Earl Francis Mathis, 69, of Lansing, Iowa died Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, Wisconsin, after a lengthy illness. Earl was born June 11, 1948 in Waukon, Iowa to Delbert and Ann (Troendle) Mathis. He attended grade school in Waterville, Iowa and continued to St. George High School in Lansing Iowa, graduating in 1966.
Earl entered the United States Army in 1968 and served as a Machinist and Clerk Typist for the two year tour. Earl was united in marriage with Gail Hanken on October 21, 1978 in Ossian, Iowa. Their married years were spent together in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and later Robins, Iowa area where Earl was employed by Iowa Manufacturing Co. (Cedarapids Inc.). He worked as a Machinist, Tool Grinder and Mechanic for some forty-three years, making Rock Crushers and Pavers. He loved the challenge of machining the huge equipment they made.
Earl retired in 2010 and moved back to the Lansing area he had grown up in and loved. He found a cabin spot in the bluffs and worked on settling in. Earl had the knack for landscaping, planting trees, shrubs, gardening and even fencing.
He always enjoyed fishing and hunting as he grew up. In later years, Earl would be working on his ‘55 Chevy or taking in many an auction to find collectibles for his garage. You might see him cruising around the countryside on an afternoon.
Most of all, he loved spending time with family & friends, playing cards or sitting around a camp fire telling stories. He was a fun loving, gentle man.
He is survived by his wife Gail; brothers, Cletus (Karen), Danny (Kathy), Cyril (Shirley), John (Juliet); sisters, Eloise (Glen) Reed and Mary (Daren) Kaeppel; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Ann (Troendle) Mathis and a nephew, Jason Kaeppel.
Visitation will be Monday, July 31, 2017 from 5-7 pm at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa and one hour before mass at the church on Tuesday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at St. Ann – St. Joseph Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry, Iowa with Rev. John Moser as the Celebrant.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Paint Rock Cemetery, Rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa with Military Rites.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.