Aaron Leroy Mechtel, 47, of McGregor, Iowa died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at his parents’ home in Waucoma, Iowa. He was born July 1, 1971 at Franciscan Skemp, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Aaron was baptized July 22, 1971 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia, Minnesota by Pastor K. Roger Johnson. On July 17, 1976, Aaron got his forever dad. Aaron attended St. John Lutheran Church of Stapleton, rural Waucoma where he was confirmed on May 10, 1986 by Pastor Wayne Ellingson. He taught Sunday School and was active in Luther League. He enjoyed the friendships made on the softball team and all their activities, including The Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Turkey Valley High School on May 20, 1990 and Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa on May 22, 1994 with a business degree. This is where he acquired the nickname “Turk” for attending Turkey Valley.
After college Aaron moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he worked for Gateway Computers in Sioux City, South Dakota. He enjoyed concerts, hockey games and his part-time job at Beano and Sherry’s Casino as well as cousin, Carmen Sue as a short time roommate.
March 10, 2005, Aaron moved to McGregor, Iowa and began working as an auditor for the Isle of Capri until June 26, 2014, when his illness made it impossible to continue. Aaron’s MS and cancer journey began with his diagnosis and first surgery on May 29, 2009. He had radiation, two more surgeries and several different chemo treatments until his passing. Throughout it all, Aaron never gave up or complained.
Aaron enjoyed his comic book collection, reading, Sci-Fi movies, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Cardinals, spending time with family and playing cards with friends in Harpers Ferry.
Aaron is survived by his parents, Chuck and Shirley Hegseth; aunts and uncles, Gerald and Carol Miner, Joe and Gladys Miner, Donna and Jerry Amfahr, Gwen and John Stefflar and David and Louise Hegseth; special cousins, Ruth Grimes, Pastor Jenna Couch, Jade Miner and many other loving cousins.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Miner, Grandpa and Grandma Mechtel and Grandpa and Grandma Hegseth; brother, Dion Hegseth; aunts and uncles, Phyllis Hegseth, Bob Miner, Ken and Carol Miner, Dewey and Marilyn Miner and Barb and Gordon Lauer and cousins, Brooks and Wade Miner.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:30 pm on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa.
Funeral Service will be held at 4:30 pm on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa with Pastor Wayne Ellingson and Pastor Jenna Couch as the officiants.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.