Gary P. Kissell

March 10, 2023 Kassidy Watson-Perry

Gary P. Kissell, 82, of Letts, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, after a brief illness.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home.  Pastor Daryl Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family, in care of Johanna Kissell.  Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Gary was born on January 31, 1941, in Columbus, Nebraska, the son of Paul E. and Eleanor J. (Frederick) Kissell. He married Johanna (Jo) Guetzlaff on August 12, 1967, in Minneapolis, MN.

A standout athlete, Gary graduated from Muscatine High School in 1959. He continued his athletic career at Muscatine Community College and Iowa Wesleyan University and also attained his teaching and coaching degree. Gary returned to Muscatine and began his teaching career at West Junior High. Later, he would move to the High School teaching 9th grade history and coaching football and basketball. He retired from teaching after 36 years. Upon retiring from teaching, he owned Kissell Sportcards in downtown Muscatine. He retired from that business in 2019.

Gary enjoyed listening to the Gaithers, sorting sportcards, fishing, and gardening, especially his gladiolus.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Gary loved to talk about sports with anyone. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in athletic events.  Most importantly, he loved his family and God.

Gary will be deeply missed by his wife, Jo; three children, Jennifer Howell and her husband, Chris, of Muscatine, Paul Kissell and his wife, Melissa, of Wayland, IA, son, Luke Kissell and his wife, Julie, of Letts; seven grandchildren, Owen Howell, Halle Kissell, Drew Kissell, Ellah Kissell, McKenzie Kissell, Hannah Kissell, and Grace Kissell.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Kissell; and grandson, Mason Kissell.

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About Kassidy Watson-Perry 209 Articles
Kassidy Watson-Perry is a 25-year-old multimedia creator currently residing in North Carolina. A creatively driven individual since she was a youngster, Kassidy is a 2021 honors graduate of Elizabeth City State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Arts. During her time there, she gained extensive insight into the world of mass media including but not limited to radio and film/television. In addition, she explored the versatile world of digital marketing and public relations. She considers herself a jack of all trades. She has received numerous accolades for her freelance work in writing, video production, photography, and graphic design which she practices in her spare time. Her coursework has ranged from Technical Writing, to Social Media Analysis, to Broadcast Journalism. Kassidy currently works for JAM Media Solutions LLC as a content provider for company-owned media outlets OBX Today and Voice of Muscatine.